AsiaSat’s Tai Po Earth Station. Photo: AsiaSat

[Via Satellite 08-18-2018] AsiaSat reported revenue of HK$640 million ($82.6 million) for the first six months of 2016 ended June 30, roughly the same as the 2015 period’s HK$641 million ($82.7 million). The operator describes the market for the global satellite industry as continuing to experience significant challenges, not only as a result of sluggish economies but also due to excess capacity, reduced demand because of changes in the video market, and increased competition creating greater pressure on pricing.

“For the remainder of 2016, we do not anticipate any significant changes in market conditions and believe that they will continue to pose a challenge not only for AsiaSat but the industry as a whole. The increased competition from terrestrial systems that is affecting satellite operators in other parts of the world is not expected to significantly impact Asia in the near to medium term, due to the lack of quality terrestrial networks in many parts of the Asia-Pacific region,” said JU Wei Min, chairman of AsiaSat.

During the first half of the year AsiaSat gained new customers on the new satellites AsiaSat 6 and AsiaSat 8 in mainland China, Bangladesh and Thailand. AsiaSat 9, the replacement satellite for AsiaSat 4, remains on schedule for completion in early 2017, which will bring additional Ku-band capacity at 122 degrees east to address new markets. The number of transponders AsiaSat has leased or sold as of June 30 increased to 103 from 96 as of Dec. 31, 2015.