LONDON, August 6, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Inmarsat plc , the leading provider of global mobile satellite communications services, today reported consolidated financial results for the 6 months ended 30 June 2010.

Inmarsat plc Interim Results Highlights

- Total revenue $570.7m up 12.2% (2009: $508.7m) - Inmarsat Global MSS revenue $362.9m up 9.4% (2009: $331.6m) - EBITDA $334.4m up 15.4% (2009: $289.9m) - Profit before tax $151.8m up 56% (2009: $97.0m) - Interim dividend of 14.00 cents (US$) up 10% - Inmarsat-5: new satellite investment announced today - Global handheld satellite phone launched on schedule in June - New 5-year Inmarsat MSS revenue growth target provided

Inmarsat Group Limited Second Quarter Highlights

- Total revenue $289.2m up 12.6% (2009: $256.9m) - EBITDA $168.6m up 13.8% (2009: $148.2m) - Stratos refinancing and reorganisation completed

Andrew Sukawaty, Inmarsat's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, said, Our first half performance continues to show the profitable growth in the markets we serve and we are well-positioned to deliver our growth objectives for the year. In June, we successfully launched our global handheld satellite phone as planned. The announcement today of our investment in the new Inmarsat-5 constellation positions us to expand our leadership in the global MSS industry. Both of these developments demonstrate our strategy of investing for growth in the markets we serve best.

Rick Medlock, Chief Financial Officer, added. The continued growth in both our cash flow and profitability strongly support the 10% increase in dividend announced today. Taking into account our new capital investment plans and the anticipated performance of our existing business, we are confident that our dividend growth can be sustained at the current rate for the next three years.

Inmarsat plc Revenue

Six months ended Increase 30 June % (US$ in millions) 2010 2009 Inmarsat Global 367.8 336.6 9.3% Stratos 355.8 317.2 12.2% 723.6 653.8 10.7% Intercompany eliminations and adjustments (152.9) (145.1) Total revenue 570.7 508.7 12.2%

Inmarsat Global

Revenue Six months ended Increase/ 30 June (decrease) 2010 2009 % (US$ in millions) Maritime sector Voice services 48.9 53.1 (7.9%) Data services 128.8 123.6 4.2% Total maritime sector 177.7 176.7 0.6% Land mobile sector Voice services 4.0 4.7 (14.9%) Data services 75.8 65.3 16.1% Total land mobile sector 79.8 70.0 14.0% Aeronautical sector 49.6 35.5 39.7% Leasing 55.8 49.4 13.0% Total mobile satellite communications services 362.9 331.6 9.4% Other income 4.9 5.0 (2.0%) Total revenue 367.8 336.6 9.3%

During the first half our maritime revenue growth was impacted by the challenging economic climate in shipping. However, new additions of Fleet and FleetBroadband terminals have remained strong throughout the period and provide a positive forward indicator of demand for our maritime services. In addition, during the second quarter, we saw some improving trends in our maritime data business and we remain optimistic for improved maritime performance in the second half of the year.

Our land mobile sector revenue growth was driven by demand for our BGAN service and was boosted by additional BGAN demand in response to the earthquake events in Haiti and Chile in the first quarter. During the second quarter, we experienced a slowdown in BGAN demand in connection with lower usage levels in Afghanistan. Usage of our BGAN service in Iraq and Afghanistan has historically been volatile and resulted in fluctuations in revenue growth from time to time.

Strong aeronautical revenue growth was driven by particularly high levels of usage of our Swift 64 service. New additions of SwiftBroadband terminals remained strong throughout the first half and now far outstrip new additions of Swift 64 terminals, demonstrating market acceptance of this important service. Our leasing business growth was driven by new leasing business across our business sectors.

Stratos

Revenue Six months ended 30 June Increase 2010 2009 % (US$ in millions) MSS revenue Inmarsat MSS 215.1 208.0 3.4% Other MSS 64.0 62.3 2.7% Total MSS revenue 279.1 270.3 3.3% Broadband (including Segovia) 76.7 46.9 63.5% Total revenue 355.8 317.2 12.2%

In January 2010 we completed the acquisition of Segovia, a provider of managed communications solutions principally to US government agencies, and report revenue from this business within our Stratos segment. Revenue growth in our Stratos Broadband business predominately resulted from the newly recognised Segovia revenue.

Outlook

As a result of our business performance in the first half and the successful launch of our handheld global satellite phone service, we remain on track to deliver solid revenue growth in 2010. We are also announcing a target average annual revenue growth rate for our Inmarsat Global MSS revenues of 5-7% for the period 2010 - 2014 (using the revenue for 2009 as the base year).

Following the separate announcement today of our Inmarsat-5 investment programme, we are revising our capital expenditure guidance to $240 - 250m for 2010. This includes capital expenditure for our existing operations, which remains unchanged at $160 - 170m.

Taking into account our new capital investment plans and the anticipated performance of our existing business, we are confident that our rate of dividend growth can be sustained at 10% for the next three years (2010-2012).

Liquidity

At 30 June 2010, the Inmarsat plc group had net borrowings of $1,346.1m, made up of cash and cash equivalents of $141.8m and total borrowings of $1,487.9m. Taking into consideration our cash on hand and available but undrawn borrowing facilities of $272.9m, the group had total available liquidity at 30 June 2010 of $414.7m. During the first half, we used available liquidity to repay and cancel our Stratos Senior Credit Facility of $207.0m and to fully redeem our Stratos Senior Unsecured Notes of $62.4m. In connection with these debt repayments we recorded non-recurring interest items of $8.9m during the first half.

Our Financial Reports

In addition to the interim results reported for Inmarsat plc, Inmarsat Group Limited, our wholly-owned subsidiary, today also reported unaudited consolidated financial results for the 3 months ended 30 June 2010. Following the completion of a reorganisation plan during the second quarter, the companies comprising our Stratos business became indirect wholly-owned subsidiaries of Inmarsat Group Limited. In line with accounting principles, we have re-presented the 2009 year and presented the 2010 year for Inmarsat Group Limited to reflect the operational results of Stratos as if Stratos had been owned for the entire period. A copy of the full financial report for Inmarsat Group Limited can be accessed via the investor relations section of our website.

Other Information

Inmarsat management will host a presentation of the interim results and other financial and business information on Friday, 6 August at 9:30 a.m. London time. The presentation will take place at our offices at 99 City Road, London EC1Y 1AX. The meeting and presentation will also be available via a live webcast and available for replay after the event, to access the webcast please go to http://www.inmarsat.com/webcast.

Forward-looking Statements

Certain statements in this announcement constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements involve risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements, or industry results, to be materially different from those projected in the forward-looking statements. These factors include: general economic and business conditions; changes in technology; timing or delay in signing, commencement, implementation and performance of programmes, or the delivery of products or services under them; structural change in the satellite industry; relationships with customers; competition; and ability to attract personnel. You are cautioned not to rely on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this announcement. We undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement to reflect any change in our expectations or any change in events, conditions or circumstances.

SOURCE: Inmarsat plc

CONTACT: Contact: Inmarsat, London, UK, Investor Enquiries, Simon Ailes,Tel: +44-(0)20-7728-1518, simon_ailes@inmarsat.com; Media Enquiries, ChrisMcLaughlin, Tel: +44-(0)20-7728-1015, christopher_mclaughlin@inmarsat.com