Eutelsat Communications : Eutelsat Communications Announces Third Quarter Revenues and Simplification of Groupe Corporate Structure

Eutelsat Communications : Eutelsat Communications Announces Third Quarter Revenues and Simplification of Groupe Corporate Structure

PARIS, April 28/PRNewswire-FirstCall/ --

- Revenue growth objective for fiscal year 2005-2006 raised to more than
3.5% from 2.5%

- Third quarter revenues at 195.1 million euros, reflecting strong
performance across all applications

- Launch of simplification of Group corporate structure

Eutelsat Communications (Euronext Paris: ETL), one of the world's leading
satellite operators, today reported revenues for the third quarter ended
March 31, 2006.

Three months ended March 31 Nine months ended March 31

In millions of 2006 2005[1] % change 2006 20051 % change
euros
Video 133.7 128.7 +3.9% 392.7 384.4 +2.2%
Applications
Data & Value 40.8 38.6 +5.8% 123.9 115.6 +7.2%
Added Services
Multi-usage 17.9 14.0 +27.9% 51.3 46.1 +11.2%
Other 2.7 2.2 +22.7% 4.8 5.4 -11.1%
Sub-total 195.1 183.4 +6.4% 572.6 551.4 +3.8%
One-off 0.0 7.4 NA 17.4 10.5 +65.7%
revenues[2]
Total 195.1 190.8 +2.2% 590.0 561.9 +5.0%

Commenting on third quarter revenues, Giuliano Berretta, Eutelsat CEO
said: "We are very satisfied with the continuing solid commercial progress
of the Group across our core activities of video, data and value-added
services in Western Europe and emerging markets in Eastern Europe, the
Middle East and Africa, as well as the higher than expected revenues
generated from Multi-usage leases.

As a consequence of the good performance over the first nine months,
and the comfort given by the successful launch on 11 March of our HOT
BIRD(TM) 7A broadcast satellite for our premium video neighbourhood, we
are in a position to raise our revenue growth guidance from 2.5% to more
than 3.5% for the fiscal year 2006."

Third quarter 2005-2006 analysis:

Revenue for the third quarter rose 2.2% to 195.1 million euros.
Excluding one-off revenues, year-over-year growth was 6.4%[3].

During the period under review, Eutelsat Communications enjoyed solid
demand for Video Applications as well as for Data and Value Added Services:

- Video Applications revenue was up 3.9% year-over-year. This was mainly
driven by lease of capacity for the XX Winter Olympic Games, including for
the EBU (European Broadcasting Union) and NHK, and contract wins, notably for
NTV Plus in Russia.

- Data and Value Added Services revenue grew 5.8% year-over-year led by
continuous growth in value added services (+33.9% at 7.5 million euros). This
was principally driven by the roll-out of the D-STAR broadband service for
schools, regional administrations and enterprises beyond access to
terrestrial broadband networks, despite delay in take-up resulting from the
technical incident experienced by the W1 satellite in August 2005.

- Multi-usage leases rose 27.9% year-over-year due to a high renewal rate
of contracts for government services during the quarter and favourable
US$/Euro exchange rates compared to Q3 FY2005.

- Other revenues rose 22.7% year-over-year. This item corresponds to
activities performed by Eutelsat Group as technical sponsor of the XX Olympic
Winter Games and external research contribution.

Year-to-date analysis:

Group revenue year-to-date rose 5%. Excluding one-off revenues,
year-to-date growth was 3.8%[4].

During the nine months of the 2005-2006 financial year, Eutelsat
Communications enjoyed increased demand for Video Applications and robust
growth for Data and Value Added Services:

- Video Applications revenue was up 2.2% year-to-date, reflecting the
continuing increase of TV channels broadcast as a result of sustained
commercial activity in Eutelsat's key markets.

- Data and Value Added Services revenue increased 7.2% year-to-date,
notably due to strong growth in Value Added Services (+26.9%). This was
driven by the on-going deployment of D-STAR despite the technical incident
experienced by the W1 satellite, and solid demand for capacity from partners
who bundle capacity with their own turnkey services.

- Multi-usage leases grew 11.2% year-to-date due to a favourable
dollar/euro exchange rate and solid demand for government services.

Outlook on revenues for FY 2006:

The Group raises its revenue growth objective for fiscal year 2005-2006
from 2.5% to more than 3.5%, in order to reflect the following positive
factors:

- Healthy demand in Western Europe and emerging markets (Eastern and
Central Europe, Middle East, Africa) for Video Applications, Data and Value
Added Services.

- Higher than expected renewal of Multi-usage contracts.

- The successful launch of the HOT BIRD(TM) 7A broadcast satellite.

Simplification of Group corporate structure

The Group has decided to launch the refinancing of its debt, currently
located in the intermediate holding companies interposed between Eutelsat
Communications and Eutelsat SA, with a view to improving its financial
flexibility. Following this refinancing, Eutelsat Communications will be in a
position to simplify Group corporate structure. This process aims at
resulting by FY 2007-2008 in direct ownership by Eutelsat Communications of
Eutelsat SA.

Financial calendar

Eutelsat Communications will report fourth quarter revenues on 21 July
2006, after market close.

About Eutelsat Communications

Eutelsat Communications (Euronext Paris: ETL, ISIN code: FR0010221234)
is the holding company of Eutelsat S.A. The Group is a leading satellite
operator with capacity commercialised on 23 satellites providing coverage
over the entire European continent, as well as the Middle East, Africa,
India and significant parts of Asia and the Americas. The Group is one of
the world's three leading satellite operators in terms of revenues. Its
satellites are used for broadcasting nearly 1,800 TV and 900 radio stations
to more than 120 million cable and satellite homes. The Group also provides
TV contribution services, corporate networks, mobile positioning and
communications, Internet backbone connectivity and broadband access for
terrestrial, maritime and inflight applications. Eutelsat Communications is
headquartered in Paris, and the Group's workforce comprises over 480 from 27
countries.

www.eutelsat.com

For further information
Press
Vanessa O'Connor Tel: +33-1-53-98-38-88 voconnor@eutelsat.fr

Frédérique Gautier Tel: +33-1-53-98-38-88 fgautier@eutelsat.fr

Investors
Gilles Janvier Tel: +33-1-53-98-35-35
investors@eutelsat-communications.com

---------------------------------

[1] Pro forma: Eutelsat Communications pro forma consolidated revenue
corresponds to Eutelsat S.A. consolidated revenue for the corresponding
period of the fiscal year ended June 30, 2005.

[2] One-off revenues are made of satellite late delivery penalties,
outage penalties.

[3] At constant exchange rates, revenue was up 4.8% year-over-year,
excluding one-off revenues.

[4] At constant exchange rates, revenue growth was 2.8% year-to-date,
excluding one-off revenues.

Source: Eutelsat Communications

Vanessa O'Connor, Tel: +33-1-53-98-38-88, voconnor@eutelsat.fr; Frédérique Gautier, Tel: +33-1-53-98-38-88, fgautier@eutelsat.fr; Gilles Janvier, Tel: +33-1-53-98-35-35, investors@eutelsat-communications.com

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