Hong Kong, 23 March 2018 – Asia Satellite Telecommunications Holdings Limited (‘AsiaSat’ – SEHK: 1135), Asia’s leading satellite operator, today announced financial results for the full-year ended 31 December 2017.
Financial Highlights:
2017 revenue returned to an upward trend with an increase of 6% to HK$1,354 million from HK$1,272 million in 2016, supported by the lease of the full Ku-band payload of AsiaSat 8 during the year, on-going migration from Standard Definition to High Definition broadcasting and increased demand for data services
2017 profit attributable to owners was HK$397 million (2016: HK$430 million). On a like-forlike basis, after excluding a reversal of tax provision of HK$55 million in 2016, 2017 profit recorded an increase of 6%, HK$22 million compared to 2016
Proposed final dividend of HK$0.20 per share (2016: HK$0.20 per share). Together with the interim dividend of HK$0.18 per share (2016: Nil), the total dividend for the year 2017 is HK$0.38 per share (2016: HK$0.20 per share)
Operational Highlights:
AsiaSat enters its 30th year in 2018 with an expanded and upgraded satellite fleet, including the new AsiaSat 9 which became fully operational in November 2017, bringing improved performance to customers and additional capacity to grow company business
A lease for the full payload of AsiaSat 4 was secured following successful migration of customers from AsiaSat 4 to AsiaSat 9, the full revenue impact of which will be seen in 2018
Overall payload utilisation of the AsiaSat fleet as of 31 December 2017 stood at 69% (126 transponders utilised/leased), compared to 67% as of 31 December 2016 (99 transponders utilised/leased)
A “CDN (Content Delivery Network) in the Sky” service developed for the fast-growing mobility markets in remote areas across AsiaSat’s extensive footprint, enabling the company to offer additional IP-based services
Planning of the company’s first HTS – High Throughput Satellite under way, to explore potential new mobility-led data opportunities
AsiaSat’s Chairman, Gregory M. Zeluck, said, “The Board of Directors remains cautiously optimistic about AsiaSat’s long-term video and data distribution strategies for national and international markets. The Company will maintain its high level of commitment to a diversified video and data customer base with data potentially accounting for an increasing revenue share in the medium term. Despite ongoing pricing pressures, regional demand for video and data services will remain solid, especially with respect to demand for ever higher quality and higher speed video content from the younger middle class population.”
“The Company will continue to evaluate opportunities to develop its HTS capabilities and strategy. As the Asia Pacific market digests the opportunities presented by the latest HTS solutions, we believe this presents the Company a strategic opportunity to meet increasing consumer demands in the mobility sector such as in-flight broadband services,” Mr. Zeluck added.
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Media Contacts:
Asia Satellite Telecommunications Holdings Limited
Winnie Pang, Manager, Marketing Communications
Tel: (852) 2500 0880
Email: wpang@asiasat.com
Read more about “AsiaSat Reports 2017 Annual Results“
