Eutelsat Communications Receives Award as Best Satellite Operator for 2008

Eutelsat Communications Receives Award as Best Satellite Operator for 2008

PARIS, September 10/PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- At the annual World Satellite Business Week event in Paris, Eutelsat Communications (Euronext Paris: ETL) was today given the award for 'Best Satellite Operator of The Year' for growth and profitability by Euroconsult, a leading analyst and research company in satellite applications and digital broadcasting.

This prize distinguishes the operator achieving the highest revenue growth and best profitability for its most recent financial year and the three preceding years. Eutelsat Communications was awarded on the basis of constant growth in revenues, which increased by 5.9% for the 2007-2008 business year (by 7.3% excluding non-recurring items) and by 5.4% on a weighted annual average for the last three years. Eutelsat has also achieved the highest level of profitability in the Fixed Satellite Services sector, with an EBITDA margin progressing over the same period from almost 78% to a record of 79.3% for the 2007-2008 business year.

Invited to accept the award, Giuliano Berretta, Eutelsat Communications Chairman and CEO said: "It is with great pleasure that we accept an award that underscores the excellent performance of our Group. The Fixed Satellite Services sector as a whole has benefited from the strong dynamic of digital broadcasting and broadband markets which are our engines for growth. To optimise these opportunities to the full, Eutelsat is pursuing an exceptional investment programme, with seven satellites in construction for launches from 2008 to the end of 2010. By cultivating innovation and expansion while ensuring that our resources consistently meet the highest standards of in-orbit security, we are doing everything in our power to pursue lasting and profitable growth."

About Eutelsat Communications

Eutelsat Communications (Euronext Paris: ETL, ISIN code: FR0010221234) is the holding company of Eutelsat S.A.. With capacity commercialised on 24 satellites that provide coverage over the entire European continent, as well as the Middle East, Africa, India and significant parts of Asia and the Americas, Eutelsat is one of the world's three leading satellite operators in terms of revenues. At 30 June 2008, Eutelsat's satellites were broadcasting more than 3,120 television channels and 1,100 radio stations. More than 1,100 channels broadcast via its HOT BIRD(TM) video neighbourhood at 13 degrees East which serves over 120 million cable and satellite homes in Europe, the Middle East and North Africa. The Group's satellites also serve a wide range of fixed and mobile telecommunications services, TV contribution markets, corporate networks, and broadband markets for Internet Service Providers and for transport, maritime and in-flight markets. Eutelsat's broadband subsidiary, Skylogic, markets and operates services through its teleport in Italy that serves enterprises, local communities, government agencies and aid organisations in Europe, Africa, Asia and the Americas. Headquartered in Paris, Eutelsat and its subsidiaries employ 538 commercial, technical and operational experts from 27 countries.

http://www.eutelsat.com

          For further information      Press      Vanessa O'Connor    Tel: +33-1-53-98-38-88 voconnor@eutelsat.fr                        Frederique Gautier  Tel: +33-1-53-98-38-88 fgautier@eutelsat.fr                              Investors      Gilles Janvier      Tel: +33-1-53-98-35-30                          investors@eutelsat-communications.com             

Source: Eutelsat Communications

For further information: Press: Vanessa O'Connor, Tel: +33-1-53-98-38-88, voconnor@eutelsat.fr; Frederique Gautier Tel: +33-1-53-98-38-88, fgautier@eutelsat.fr; Investors: Gilles Janvier, Tel: +33-1-53-98-35-30, investors@eutelsat-communications.com

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