Regulator launching satellite in Bangladesh

Posted on January 8, 2010 / 4 Comments

BTRC has planned to launch a geosynchronous orbit (GSO) satellite. Its latest mission and vision is to fly a couple of hundreds million dollars kite at 35,000-kilometers up above. The regulator is now in search of a consultant “To find interested financers, launching company, manufacturer of satellite and potential subscribers of transponders, make correspondence visit and liaison with them.”

The US government’s Commercial Space Transportation Advisory Committee (COMSTAC) have made gloomy forecasts of global demand for commercial space launch services for the period 2009 to 2018. Kevin Reyes, Director of Business Development in Boeing Launch Services, is also pessimistic about the prospects of satellite industry. Slide #12 of his May 2009 presentation has nicely compiled the odds.

GSO satellites survive somewhat 12 to 15 years in the orbit. Telecoms minister thinks the space mission will cost up to $200 million. He is, however, clueless about recovering such investment within the satellite’s lifetime. Moreover, the regulator to run a commercial space program remains as mysterious as the ultimate frontier. Possibly an invisible fireworks of public funds in the black hole? Possibly.

During late 1990s a retired army chief turned ICT minister also wanted to launch a satellite. Today’s ruling party, Awami League, was in power at that time. To justify his misadventure the general had even named the satellite after the country’s founder – Bangabandhu 1. Then prime minister, who also heads the government today, scrapped that general’s stupid idea. Let’s see how she reacts this time.

4 Comments

Rohan Samarajiva
January 9, 2010, 11:15 am
Based on the powers given in the Telecommunications Act, it will be difficult for the BTRC to become a telecom operator, which is what operating the satellite entails. The workaround is to have someone else operate the satellite, with ownership in the government (BTRC has the money and may like to be the owner, but this still raises the issue of regulator as operator). Still government ownership will be a step in the wrong direction.

Unfortunately, regulatory agencies in both Bangladesh and Sri Lanka seem to have the inclination to neglect the tasks they have been mandated to do, and get into things outside their purview: http://www.lbo.lk/fullstory.php?nid=1535181620

Pity.
aftab
June 20, 2010, 9:03 am
im very pleased to knew about the Regulator launching satellite in Bangladesh.if we can make it so our all sides of communication & sociaty bild up as a LION.there is on word to describe on this topics.all the best.
aftab,
CSR of Warid telecom.
Abdullah Mamun
December 25, 2010, 9:17 pm
I am afraid what the government is going to do about the satellite. Govt. saying the cost would be so far $200 million. but in some website I have seen that the cost of a modern time communication satellite cost is $80 million, including payment for launching it into orbit.
Confusion does not end here. BTRC saying the satellite will be telecommunication and broadcasting and it will work not only for these two objectives but also send information on weather, crops etc. Problems is here, because communication and weather satellite are not same. one satellite can not serve both sectors.
I think btrc has not collected initial informations yet.
Thanks to Saeed Bhai for the article.
Abdullah Mamun
Senoir Reporter
The Daily Independent, Dhaka
sojib
January 22, 2011, 2:49 pm
govt 100% should setup a satellite