Commercial operations of Bangabandhu Satellite-1 begins

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Hitlar A Halim
Published : 10:50, Nov 14, 2018 | Updated : 10:54, Nov 14, 2018

Bangladesh Communication Satellite Company Limited (BCSCL) has officially started commercial operations of the Bangabandhu Satellite-1 on an experimental basis. The programs officially started with a test broadcast on BTV on Monday (Nov 12). BCSTL sources said that the test broadcast would be coming to a close soon following which, many private channels, including Ekattor TV, will be added to it.
The initiative was taken after a few matches of the SAAF football tournament were streamed live through the satellite.
“I hope all the TV channels will subscribe to our services,” BCSTL chairman, Dr Shahjahan Mahmud, told Bangla Tribune.
“We have come to an understanding with various local organizations, including agreements with the Shipping Ministry, Square, AND, DNS Satcomm and will start commercial operations at home as well as abroad,” he added.
The satellite will be used to track 37,000 ships, launches and many other maritime vessels. Marine V-SATs (very small aperture terminals) will be set up in the vessels.
This will help in keeping track of whether the vessel is in any danger or has been in an accident.
Since the satellite is on top of Indonesia and Philippines, monitoring agencies will be opened in those countries. Moreover, the three sales partners of BCTSL: Square, ADN and DNS Satcomm will be responsible for the sale and distribution of the various services provided by the satellite.
DNS Satcomm Chairman told Bangla Tribune that V-SATs and hubs will be used to provide internet services to remote areas.
Bangabandhu Satellite-1 was launched from Cape Kennedy Space Center in US on May 11 and officially handed over to Bangladesh on Nov 9, after which the commercial operations began.

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