(China Daily via NewsEdge) Paris-listed Eutelsat is one of the world's three leading satellite services firms. Its core activity is to lease satellite capacity for video services, professional data networks and broadband applications to television broadcasters, pay-TV platforms, enterprises, telecom operators and Internet service providers.
The group's Turin-based subsidiary Skylogic, established in 2001, also provides turnkey broadband services and was selected by the Turin 2006 Olympic organizing committee to provide a comprehensive video network for the Winter Olympic Games.
With its fleet of 23 satellites, Eutelsat now broadcasts more than 2,100 television channels and is also a preferred satellite operator for professional data networks, broadband, mobile and government services.
The company has recently stepped up efforts to expand beyond Europe to tap demand in emerging markets such as North Africa, the Middle East, sub-Saharan Africa and Asia. Eutelsat is now investigating opportunities in China as part of its expansion strategy.
Q&A with Eutelsat chairman and CEO Giuliano Berretta about the firm's business in China.
Q: What was Eutelsat's revenue for 2005 and expected sales revenue for 2006‾
A: Through the continued expansion of our services, growth in revenue for the year ending June 30 was 5.4% at 791.1 million euros ($1 billion). This performance demonstrates the quality of our strategy, which aims to consolidate our leading position in the countries of the European Union and to optimize our orbital resources through the development of new video neighborhoods and expansion of our value-added services. With the ongoing implementation of this strategy, we expect revenue to be more than 800 million euros ($1.02 billion) in 2006-07.
As of June 30, we were broadcasting over 2,100 television channels, an increase of over 400 channels for the year, over half of which come from countries in Central and Eastern Europe, the Middle East and Africa. At the same time, our D-STAR broadband service has seen nearly 30% growth in the number of terminals, led by good demand for high-speed services in Europe and in areas in emerging countries with poor terrestrial coverage. Over 80% of our group's revenue is derived from digital video, data and broadband markets, which are today the most powerful growth engines in the global telecommunications and media industries.
We, therefore, feel in a privileged position to accompany broadcasters and service providers in the emerging markets of high-definition television in Europe, and the rapid deployment of video and broadband services in Central and Eastern Europe, Africa and the Middle East.
Q: How long has Eutelsat been in China‾ What is Eutelsat's main business in China‾
A: Although the Eutelsat Group has been present in China for the past two years, our relationship with China is much longer, going back to the first CCTV channel carried on from our Hot Bird video neighborhood, which reaches cable and satellite viewers in Europe, North Africa and the Middle East.
Eutelsat's main business in China is the transport of TV signals between China and Europe.
Q: Who are your main clients in China‾