The government approved on Wednesday a proposal for orbital slot lease from Russia following the direct procurement method (DPM) to launch the country's first Satellite "Bangabandhu", reports BSS.
For the orbital slot, the government has to pay US$28 million to the Intersputnik international organisation of space communication of Russia.
The approval came from a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Government Purchase (CCGP) held at the Cabinet Division with Finance Minister AMA Muhith in the chair.
Joint Secretary of the Cabinet Division Mostafizur Rahman briefed the reporters about the outcomes of the meeting after the meeting.
He said: "The CCGP has approved the proposal to take lease the orbital slot from the Intersputnik of Russia in the 119.1 degree east longitude to launch the satellite Bangabandhu, which is being implemented by Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC)."
"A total of $28 million will be required for the lease of orbital slot," added Mr Rahman.
The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) on September 16 this year approved "Bangabandhu Satellite Launching project" involving Tk 29.68 billion.
The BTRC will implement the project by June, 2017. Once the satellite is launched, it would save around Tk 1.10 billion to Tk 1.20 billion annually in foreign currency as broadcasting expenditure.
Under the project, two earth stations would be set up at Joydevpur in Gazipur and Betbunia in Rangamati apart from a satellite.
American firm "Space Partnership International (SPI)" will help Bangladesh in launching the satellite. Bangladesh spends around $14 million annually on satellite rents for running television channels, telephones and radio connectivity.
The BTRC will take lease the orbital slot on 119 degree east from Intersputnik with a single lifetime of 15 years.
Govt approves orbital slot lease for Bangabandhu Satellite
FE Team | Published: January 01, 2015 00:00:00 | Updated: January 01, 2015 15:51:06
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