[Satellite TODAY 08-13-10] Operator Thaicom saw its 2010 first-half revenues drop from $118.4 million in 2009 to $109.1 million, resulting in a net loss of $9.1 million, the company announced in its latest results, issued Aug. 12.
   However, Thaicom said revenues from its satellite business and related services increased more than 9 percent over the same period a year ago. The operator also confirmed that it signed a five-year Thaicom 5 capacity deal with Thailand broadcaster MCOT that will generate $22 million in revenue for Thaicom through 2018.
    Earlier this year, MCOT transferred its traffic from the Thaicom 2 satellite, which is expected to end its service life this year, to the Thaicom 5 satellite. It uses a C-band transponder for transmitting both television and radio channels nationwide to more than seven million household viewers presently.
    “Thaicom-5’s global beam covers four continents with more than 120 countries. It is an appropriate platform to expand our viewer base for our Asian TV channel and satellite television businesses of MCOT. It will also help expand the customer base of Modern Nine TV and our seven radio stations and differentiate us from other satellite TV services in the market,” MCOT President Tanawat Wansom said in a statement.