The Bangabandhu Satellite-1 (BS-1) will be the first Bangladeshi communication orbiter and is expected to meet the need of a satellite connectivity facility.
Bangladesh’s annual expenditure for satellite connectivity is $14m. The cost is due to renting bandwidth from foreign operators. After the BS-1 launch, it would be unnecessary.
Private TV channel operators and Direct-to-Home (DTH) as alternative of cable television service providers will be the main consumers of the satellite, according to officials.
The weather department as well as the defense sector will also benefit from the satellite.
The BS-1 will help to bring uninterrupted telecommunication during disasters like cyclone or tornado. It will also play a role in telemedicine, e-learning, research and DTH services. It will be able to count holdings as well as measure population density.
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The Bangabandhu satellite is going to be located at the 119.1 east geostationary slot which will cover all the SAARC countries as well Indonesia, Philippine, Myanmar, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Turkestan and a part of Kazakhstan.
Bangladeshi satellite television channels that have a large viewership in the Middle East countries are expected to become the main commercial user of the first Bangladeshi satellite.
However, BTRC chairman Shahjahan Mahmood said: “These problems are very simple to solve. We have the opportunity to access other facilities through collaborating with other satellites.”
Faster broadcasting system
Direct-to-Home services always provide faster access to worldwide television entertainment.
Currently, there are only two companies that have licence from the government. These are Beximco and Buyer Media Limited.
Before, the operators conducted a monopoly business. Now there will be a big change and easier, faster access to global TV entertainment will be ensured.
The satellite will make video distribution easier too. The broadcasters can effortlessly distribute their content to intermediaries like cable TV network operators or re-broadcasters like DTH operators.
The satellite will have VSAT private networks consisting of voice, data, video and internet services to the banks, corporate offices etc. The service will be delivered using Ku-Band in the Bangladesh and the India Plus coverage regions and using C-Band beams, according the BTRC.
Other services
In the event of unexpected disasters hitting the country, telecommunication system in Bangladesh might be unavailable. During such emergency situations, satellite network can play an important role in ensuring uninterrupted telecommunication services in the country.
The remote areas of the country like the coastal area will have much better internet connectivity, thanks to the BS-1.
BTRC chairman Shahjahan Mahmood told “The Bangabandhu Satellite will help to make Bangladesh an advanced country. It would also speed up many aspects of our daily life.”
