Satellite Operator Gazkom Reports Substantial Net Profit
MOSCOW, Russia, April 10, 2007 - Satnews Daily - Russian satellite operator Gazkom Joint Stock Company reports a net profit of $45 billion in 2006, up 36% from 2005.
Igor Kot, deputy Gazkom general director of marketing and business planning, said two thirds of this amount came from the domestic market, with the remaining third from the international market. No revenue figures or other financials were given, however.
Gazkom operates the Yamal-100, Yamal-201 and Yamal-202 communication and broadcasting satellites. The Yamals were developed for Direct-To-Home television broadcasting with the first Yamal launched in September 1999. Gazkom was founded in 1992. Its shareholders are Gazprom, Energiya and Gazprombank.
Last week, a problem with the Yamal-201 satellite knocked out DTH and Internet services to many parts of Russia. Services were soon restored, however. Yamal-201 was launched in late 2003.
