ZCZC
BSS-42
SATELLITE-COMMERCIAL-OPERATION
Bangabandhu Satellite’s commercial operation begins
DHAKA, May 19, 2019 (BSS) – The commercial operation of Bangladesh’s first communication satellite Bangabandhu-I (BS-I) began today providing feed to local television (TV) channels.
To this end, six TV channels struck deals with the Bangladesh Communication Satellite Company Limited (BCSCL), the assigned entity for handling BS-I, at the ceremony of launching anniversary celebration in a city hotel.
Information Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud, Posts and Telecommunication Minister Mustafa Jabbar and State Minister for Information and Communication Technology Division Zunaid Ahmed Palak attended the function.
The six televisions – Dipto TV, Samoy TV, Jamuna Tv, Bijoy TV, Bangla TV and MY TV will now broadcast their programs through BS-I.
“Within next few days other televisions will gradually join the BS-I,” said BCSCL Chairman Dr Shahjahan Mahmood.
Currently most of the TV channels are using the country’s lone satellite on trial basis.
In the ceremony, the BCSCL also signed a memorandum of understanding with state owned Sonali Bank to provide connectivity from BS-I.
Shahjahan Mahmood said providing connectivity to the TV channels for transmission is one of the main features of BS-I along with direct-to-home (DTH) connectivity.
On Wednesday, Beximco Communications Limited (BCL) launched DTH service under the brand name “Akash” and its commercial service also began today.
Akash is renting 5 transponders of BS-I’s 40 transponder.
Moreover, the BS-I is working to connect automated teller machines (ATM) of different banks to offer uninterrupted and secure banking services. Meanwhile, it has completed demonstration successfully for the job.
French manufacturer Thales Alenia Space launched the BS-I in May 12 from Florida of America at a cost of Taka 2,765 crore and according to the plan it will reach break-even within seven years of starting its commercial service.
Located at the 119.1 east geostationary slot, BS-I would cover the SAARC countries and Indonesia, the Philippines, Myanmar, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Turkestan and a part of Kazakhstan.
The coverage is the strongest in Indonesia, the Philippines, India, Sri Lanka, Nepal and Bhutan, for which these six countries have initially been chosen for business.
BCSCL has hired international consultancy firm Thaicom for two years to run marketing and sale of the connectivity of BS-I in six countries, including four neighbours. The Thai firm is currently active in around 20 countries.
The satellite’s operations include “direct-to-home” service for TV channels, VSAT (very small aperture terminal), backhaul and network restoration, disaster preparedness and relief and many others.
BSS/MAK/MRU/2138hrs