The Lao Asia-Pacific Satellite Co., Ltd. (LAOSAT) is urging Lao businesses that currently rent services from foreign-owned satellites to use the Lao satellite instead.
This was the main message delivered at a meeting in Vientiane on Wednesday to present a working summary report of the company’s operations in the first half of 2016 and plan for the year ahead.
The meeting was attended by Minister of Posts and Telecommunications Dr. Thansamay Khommasith and other officials.
The report noted that the management and business development of LAOSAT were on the right track thanks to the efforts of Chinese and Lao employees since the company was founded in February 2016.
The company has two shareholders, the management and technical teams are all set, the corporate structure has been established, and policies and regulations are being improved and developed.
The Lao Asia-Pacific Satellite Co., Ltd. was set up to manage Laos’ first telecommunications satellite, which went into orbit last November.
The Lao Sat-1 was launched by a LM-3B launch vehicle from the Xi Chang Launch Centre in Sichuan province, China. After several orbiting manoeuvres, it was successfully parked in a 128.5 E orbit slot on November 26.
The satellite is equipped with 22 transponders (14 in C-band and 8 in Ku-band) which will provide various services such as satellite transponder leasing services, satellite telecommunications and teleports, internet, satellite TV broadcasting, emergency support, and other uses.
The satellite is designed to provide communication links for government work, television transmission, and a range of telecommunication applications in Laos.
The Lao Asia Pacific Satellite Co., Ltd. received a concession from the Lao government to run the business for 15 years, which is the expected operating life of the satellite.
After three months the business was pronounced a success with Indonesia asking to sign an agreement to rent a transponder. It is expected the Indonesian government will sign the agreement next month, when services will be provided.
The company has also signed agreements to provide television transmission to several foreign companies, while VSAT has been installed on a trial basis at some ministries in Laos.
But the company’s main goal is to persuade Lao businesses that currently rent services from foreign-owned satellites to switch to the Lao satellite. Government bodies and the private sector can make use of the satellite for data and information communication, which is especially useful in mountainous areas.
In the meantime, LAOSAT continues to seek out foreign customers.
Source: Vientiane Times
