DTH provider IPM Company Limited in Thailand, which was founded more than 20 years ago, has selected THAICOM 8, slotted at 78.5 degrees East, to provide satellite transponder services... IPM is the first customer on Thaicom Public Company Limited (Thaicom) new spatial platform.

Artistic rendition of the THAICOM 8 satellite. Image is courtesy of Orbital ATK.

The satellite capacity will enable IPM to move their existing four million satellite dishes to Thaicom’s 78.5 degrees East position. The agreement is in line with Thaicom’s business plan of providing the satellite capacity needed to fuel the fast growth of the broadcast and media industries in Asia. IPM is Thailand’s leading satellite dish provider on the Ku-band with more than four million subscribers.

THAICOM 8 offers excellent Ku-band coverage and the satellite supports the broadcasting industry's demand for capacity as the move continues to be made from SD to HD. THAICOM 8 has a total of 24 Ku-band transponders which cover Thailand, South Asia and Africa.

Co-located with THAICOM 5 and THAICOM 6, THAICOM 8 entered service in July 2016 and is expected to operate for more than 15 years.  Orbital ATK manufactured the satellite and SpaceX was responsible for the launch. 

The CEO of IPM, Mr. Manop Tokarnka, stated that his firm will be able to use Thaicom's video channel neighborhood and broadcasting platform to cost-effectively expand their business, including HDTV. Paiboon Panuwattanawong, the CEO of Thaicom, added that the Thai TV market is one of the most dynamic and competitive markets in Asia and his company is particularly proud that IPM moved from a global top three satellite operator to Thaicom.