Countdown to Vietnam’s first satellite
Around two-three months after Vietnam’s first telecom satellite, Vinasat, is launched (scheduled for April 10, 2008), the satellite will begin its operations, said Bui Thien Minh, Deputy General Director of the Vietnam Post and Telecommunications Group (VNPT), Vinasat project investor.
Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Thien Nhan, on February 19, attended the regular meeting of the Vinasat project steering board. Immediately after the meeting, VietNamNet’s reporter conducted a quick interview with VNPT Deputy General Director Bui Thien Minh.
What was discussed at the meeting and is there any new information about the Vinasat project?
Under the guidance of Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Thien Nhan, the head of the Vinasat satellite project steering board, we rechecked all tasks, including the launching, satellite-related business, etc. The most important thing is to ensure a successful launch in April.
What date will the satellite be launched?
It is scheduled from April 9-14, 2008, depending on the weather.
Was the launch postponed because of problems related to the pace of the project (the launching was previously planned for March 28)?
It is not a problem to postpone the launch for only several days. We plan to broadcast the launching ceremony live from the launch pad in Kourou (Guyana) to the National Meeting Center in Hanoi.
As the investor and operator of Vinasat, what is VNPT’s business plan for Vinasat?
We divide clients into two groups. The first includes organizations using the satellite (around 12 in total). The biggest client in this group is the Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of Public Security. The second group comprises the remaining businesses. We will give priority to the military and police forces, television stations, and some telecom companies. In the first year of operation we will sell half of the capacity.
And how long will it take to regain the investment in this project?
Around 9-10 years because the number of telecom satellites in the sky is very high, creating fierce competition both in Vietnam and overseas. The prices of satellite services are gradually reducing. While many countries have had satellites for years, this is Vietnam’s first. Moreover, the number of satellite users in Vietnam is not as high as other nations.
When will the satellite be put into use and how will it influence mobile service quality?
Around 2-3 months after launch, Vinasat will be put into use and it will help improve the quality of mobile services. We have conducted many tests and the results are very good.
Vinasat-1 is scheduled to be launched into orbit at 132 degrees east – a position that Vietnam registered with the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) in 1999.
Vinasat will provide more than 200 digital television channels and tens of thousands of Internet data transmission and telephone channels. The $180 million satellite is expected to cover Vietnam, Laos, Eastern Asian nations, India and Australia. It has a lifespan of 15 years.
The lift-off of Vinasat-1 will help improve the country’s telecom network and help save around $15 million per year from hiring satellites.
VNPT is the main investor in Vinasat and total investment capital is at VND2,885bil (over US$180.31mil), with 20% in equity capital and 80% in loans.
What was discussed at the meeting and is there any new information about the Vinasat project?
Under the guidance of Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Thien Nhan, the head of the Vinasat satellite project steering board, we rechecked all tasks, including the launching, satellite-related business, etc. The most important thing is to ensure a successful launch in April.
What date will the satellite be launched?
It is scheduled from April 9-14, 2008, depending on the weather.
Was the launch postponed because of problems related to the pace of the project (the launching was previously planned for March 28)?
It is not a problem to postpone the launch for only several days. We plan to broadcast the launching ceremony live from the launch pad in Kourou (Guyana) to the National Meeting Center in Hanoi.
As the investor and operator of Vinasat, what is VNPT’s business plan for Vinasat?
We divide clients into two groups. The first includes organizations using the satellite (around 12 in total). The biggest client in this group is the Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of Public Security. The second group comprises the remaining businesses. We will give priority to the military and police forces, television stations, and some telecom companies. In the first year of operation we will sell half of the capacity.
And how long will it take to regain the investment in this project?
Around 9-10 years because the number of telecom satellites in the sky is very high, creating fierce competition both in Vietnam and overseas. The prices of satellite services are gradually reducing. While many countries have had satellites for years, this is Vietnam’s first. Moreover, the number of satellite users in Vietnam is not as high as other nations.
When will the satellite be put into use and how will it influence mobile service quality?
Around 2-3 months after launch, Vinasat will be put into use and it will help improve the quality of mobile services. We have conducted many tests and the results are very good.
Vinasat-1 is scheduled to be launched into orbit at 132 degrees east – a position that Vietnam registered with the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) in 1999.
Vinasat will provide more than 200 digital television channels and tens of thousands of Internet data transmission and telephone channels. The $180 million satellite is expected to cover Vietnam, Laos, Eastern Asian nations, India and Australia. It has a lifespan of 15 years.
The lift-off of Vinasat-1 will help improve the country’s telecom network and help save around $15 million per year from hiring satellites.
VNPT is the main investor in Vinasat and total investment capital is at VND2,885bil (over US$180.31mil), with 20% in equity capital and 80% in loans.
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