Thaicom Plc, formerly known as Shin Satellite, will shift its growth strategy to focus on high-demand corporate and government segments next year in response to the global economic recession. The 41%-owned satellite subsidiary of Shin Corp has also reversed its earlier decision to buy a satellite. Instead, it will rent its sixth satellite in order to minimise the investment and depreciation cost burden.

''In the face of economic uncertainty, we've prepared an index of the most important satellite insurance and risk management terms encompassing business, operations and financial strategies,'' said chief financial officer Tanadit Charoenchan.

The company is also preparing to shift its customer focus from telecom operators to corporate and government segments using high bandwidth.

Despite the global and domestic economic problems, Mr Tanadit said Thaicom expected to see a 10% increase in revenue to 7.2 billion baht this year. But whether it will post a profit or a loss this year depends heavily on foreign exchange rates.

Thaicom yesterday reported a loss of 115 million baht in the third quarter of 2008, against a net profit of 3.14 billion in the same period last year. The loss, however, was an improvement from 282 million baht in the second quarter. Its nine-month net loss was 116.01 million baht (0.11 baht a share), compared with a profit of 3.19 billion (2.92 baht a share) in the same period last year.

Revenue in the third quarter increased 27.6% year-on-year to 1.782 billion baht, a 7.9% rise from the previous quarter. Of the total, 585 million baht came from bandwidth rental fees, 562 million baht from iPSTAR, 485 million from mobile-phone services in Cambodia and Laos, and 150 million baht from internet and publishing services.

Mr Tanadit attributed the company's third-quarter loss to a foreign exchange loss of 146 million baht plus 103 million baht in interest payments.

But he said Thaicom expected its revenue to continue growing by at least 10% in 2009, fuelled mainly by iPSTAR broadband satellite.

The $400-million iPSTAR, the world's largest broadband satellite, now contributes 30% of Thaicom's revenues and the proportion is expected to reach 50% next year.

The company currently has 13 gateways in 10 countries.

''iPSTAR is expected to break even in 2009 with utilisation capacity reaching 15% from 8% currently,'' said marketing chief Patompob Suwansiri.

He said Thaicom planned to push broadband bandwidth usage instead of user terminal sales in an effort to create a sustainable revenue stream.

''The shift in our strategy should significantly increase the bandwidth usage of iPSTAR next year, driven mainly by [customers in] India and China.''

Thaicom shares (THCOM) closed yesterday on the Stock Exchange of Thailand at 2.62 baht, down two satang, in trade worth 1.74 million baht.

Meanwhile, Advanced Info Service also reported that its third-quarter profit rose 29% as the company added users and raised fees.

Net income climbed to 4.53 billion baht, or 1.53 baht a share, from 3.51 billion baht, or 1.19 baht, a year earlier. Nine-month net profit was 15.99 billion baht (5.40 baht a share) an increase of 43.3% from 11.16 billion (3.78 baht a share) in the same period last year.

AIS chief executive Vikrom Sriprataks said the company planned to spend as much as 25 billion baht in 2009 on a third-generation network to lure users.

Revenue from phone services and equipment rentals in the third quarter increased 29% to 24.6 billion baht, the company said.

AIS added 810,000 customers in the third quarter, taking its total to 26.8 million, or 46% of Thailand's mobile-phone market.

AIS shares dropped six baht yesterday to 79 baht in trade worth 3.9 million baht. The stock has fallen 14% this year after climbing 25% in 2007.