Founded in 1954, Teleste is a technology and services company consisting of two business areas: Video and Broadband Solutions and Network Services. With Europe as the main market area, our most significant clients include European cable operators and selected organizations in the public sector.
As to Video and Broadband Solutions, client-specific and integrated deliveries of solutions create favorable conditions for growth, even if the involved resource allocation and technical implementation pose a challenge involving, therefore, also reasonable risks. Network investments carried out by the clients vary based on their need for upgrading and their capital structure. Many competitors of the business area come from the USA so the exchange rate of euro up against the US dollar affects our competitiveness. Also the exchange rate development of the Chinese renminbi to euro affects our material costs. The company hedges against short-term currency exposure by means of forward contracts. The tight financial market in Europe may slow down the implementation of our customers' investment plans. Availability of components is subject to natural phenomena, such as floods and earthquakes. Correct technological choices and their timing are vital for our success.
Net sales for Network Services comes, for the most part, from a small number of large European customers, so a significant change in the demand for services by any one of them is reflected in the actual deliveries. To ensure quality of services and cost-efficiency along with efficient service process management, customer satisfaction and improvements in productivity require innovative solutions in terms of processes, products and logistics. Smooth operation of cable networks requires effective technical management and functional hardware solutions in accordance with contractual obligations. This, in turn, demands continuous and determined development of skill levels in Teleste's own personnel as well as those of our subcontractors. In addition, availability of capacity in our network of subcontractors may limit our ability to supply.
It is important for our business areas to take into account any market developments such as consolidations taking place among the clientele and competition. The threats to information systems must be minimized to ensure business continuity. Severe weather conditions have an impact on the business areas' ability to deliver products and services.
The Board of Directors annually reviews any essential risks related to the company operation and the management thereof. Risk management constitutes an integral part of the strategic and operative practices of our business areas. Risks and their probability are reported to the Board by regular monthly reports.
The company has covered any major risks of loss related to the business areas through insurance policies. These insurances do not cover credit loss risks. In the period under review, no such risks materialized, and no such legal proceedings or judicial procedures were pending that would have had any essential significance for the Group operation.