Thaicom… Setting The Stage For Two More (Satellites)

[SatNews] Suphajee Suthumpun, the chief executive of Thaicom, said Thaicom 8, also known as iPSTAR 2, will be launched by….

….2014 or 2015 when use of the existing iPSTAR satellite rises to 40-50 percent of total capacity, up from its current 25 percent. Thaicom 9 will be positioned at 50.5 degrees East to reserve the country’s orbital slot, due to expire in November. It will be a broadcast satellite and the company aims to expand its footprint in the Middle East, Europe and Africa. She said the Thaicom 8 broadband satellite, to be positioned in the orbital slot at 119.5 degrees, will cost no more than US$200 million. The satellite will serve the anticipated increase in broadband demand.

“The size, category and investment options for the satellites will conclude this year,” said Ms. Suphajee. “Construction of the new satellites will begin once the utilisation of the 38-gigabit iPSTAR reaches half of the total and the company receives 30-50 percent of pre-orders for a new satellite.”

Thaicom is preparing to launch the $160-million Thaicom 6 satellite in July, positioned at 78 degrees East. Thaicom currently operates two satellites — Thaicom 4 (iPSTAR) and Thaicom 5. Thaicom 4, 5 and 6 are under concessions of the Information and Communication Technology Ministry. Thaicom 7, 8 and 9 satellites will be under a licensing platform awarded by the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission. Thaicom underwent a reorganisation and business restructuring under Ms. Suphajee’s leadership. It switched its focus on bandwidth rental from iPSTAR to corporate users, big telecom operators and disaster recovery service instead of the retail segment. “We are positioning Thaicom as a wholesale satellite operator, no longer a retail provider,” she said. (Source: Bangkok Post)