Shin Satellite issued its results May 14, showing that by first quarter 2007’s end the satellite operator had approximately 75,000 IPStar customers after adding just over 9,000 customers for the period ending March 31.

The subscription rate suggested satellite broadband is being a tough sell in Asia: The operator said revenues from satellite transponders decreased nearly 18 percent, to 949 million Baht ($29.2 million), compared to the same period in 2006. Shin blamed a decrease in revenue from IPStar on a decrease in IPStar user terminals sales.

Conversely, revenue from transponder leasing on Thaicom-4 (IPStar) was up from the same quarter of 2006. The operator blamed currency issues for decreased revenue from Thaicom’s conventional satellite business.