The telecom regulator Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) has signed a deal with ThalesAlenia Space, awarding the French firm work order for manufacturing and launching the country's first ever commercial and broadcast satellite Bangabandhu I.
BTRC chairman Dr Shahjahan Mahmood and Jean-Loic Galle, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the ThalesAlenia Space, put pen on the agreement paper in the capital on Wednesday, reports BSS.
The telecom regulator has struck a Tk1,951 crore deal with ThalesAlenia Space to implement the project, he said.
As per the agreement, the ThalesAlenia Space will manufacture, launch and maintain the satellite for providing communication and broadcast services.
The firm will get 24 months time to launch the satellite.
The government wants to launch the satellite on December 16 on the occasion of the 45th anniversary of the country's victory in the Liberation War.
Manufacturing and other necessary works are going to start on December 16 next.
Tarana Halim, who was present on the signing ceremony, said: "This contract is a final step towards fulfillment of our long cherished dream of launching the first satellite of Bangladesh "Bangabandhu Satellite 1."
"I feel proud to mention that with the launch of Bangabandhu Satellite, Bangladesh will become the 57th member of the exclusive club of satellite owning country," she added.
Earlier on October 20, the cabinet committee on government purchase approved the tender proposal in favour of Thales for the satellite which will be used for telecommunication and broadcast purposes, as all other participants became non-responsive during the bidding process.
Bangladesh will be the 54th country when the satellite would be launched into the orbital slot on 119.1 degree east longitude which (slot) was bought from Russian satellite company "Intersputnik" for $28 million this year.
The Bangabandhu satellite will have 40 transponders, which would be able to serve SAARC countries, Indonesia, and the Philippines, as well as countries such as Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. One transponder is equivalent to 36 MHz.
Under the project, two earth stations would be set up at Joydevpur in Gazipur and Betbunia in Rangamati apart from a satellite.
Bangladesh spends around $14 million annually on satellite rents for running television channels, telephones and radio connectivity.
Once launched, the satellite would save around Tk110-120 crore annually in foreign currency as broadcasting expenditure.
