SES, has released its financial results for the twelve months ending 31 December 2012.

Highlights of the results include:

• Reported revenue increased 5.5% to EUR 1,828.0 million (2011: EUR 1,733.1 million)
• Reported EBITDA increased 5.6% to EUR 1,346.6 million (2011: EUR 1,274.6 million)
• Profit of the group increased 5.0% to EUR 648.8 million (2011: EUR 617.7 million)
• Record contract backlog of EUR 7.5 billion (2011: EUR 7.0 billion), reflecting renewals and new business totalling EUR 2 billion signed during the year

In 2012, the Asia-Pacific region saw the development of telecommunications and TV applications with key customers such as Telikom PNG, PacTel and Mediascape.

The report also highlighted SES' forthcoming business initiatives. Notable points include:

• New capacity launched in 2012 will fuel growth in 2013 and 2014, as momentum is maintained in Latin America, Africa and Asia.
• Four spacecraft are due to launch in 2013. In June, three satellites are scheduled: SES-6, which will deliver 49 additional transponders in Latin America and the Atlantic Ocean Region;  SES-8, a replacement spacecraft for Asia-Pacific which will add 21 transponders for the region, and ASTRA 2E, a replacement spacecraft for UK and Ireland, which will add 12 transponders for Africa via a steerable beam.  In September, ASTRA 5B is scheduled, to be positioned at 31.5°E, where its payload will add 21 transponders to the 19 presently available on ASTRA 1G.
• SES signed a contract with Boeing for the construction of SES-9, a satellite for the Asian markets served from 108.2°E.  The spacecraft will add 53 transponders at this orbital position, and is scheduled for launch in 2015.
• In mid-2013, SES-8 will be the Group’s first spacecraft to be launched by SpaceX.  SES has signed an agreement with SpaceX for three further launches on the Falcon 9 rocket. SpaceX adds diversity in the satellite launch market and offers additional security for timely access to space.