Indonesia’s state-owned Bank Rakyat Indonesia (BRI) is set to become the first bank in the world to launch a communications satellite.
The group has ordered a C-band and Ku-band bird from US-based Space Systems Loral to provide a domestic platform for…
Indonesia’s state-owned Bank Rakyat Indonesia (BRI) is set to become the first bank in the world to launch a communications satellite.
The group has ordered a C-band and Ku-band bird from US-based Space Systems Loral to provide a domestic platform for secure banking connection services.
Called BRIsat and based on the SSL 1300 platform, it will be placed at 150.5E in 2016 to support around 10,000 branches, as well as the bank’s more than 100,000 electronic channel outlets.
BRI president director Sofyan Basir said: “Because over 50 million Indonesian customers count on BRI for their financial needs, the success of the BRIsat satellite project is our highest priority. We look forward to working with SSL on the successful initiation and delivery of our first satellite.”
The 3,500 kg bird will be launched on an Ariane 5 rocket from Arianespace’s facility in Kourou, French Guiana. It will be the fifth satellite that the French company has launched for Indonesian operators.
The announcement follows BRI’s talks with local satellite operator Indosat about managing a new spacecraft as the latter looks to replace Palapa-C2, which has been operating beyond its expected lifetime since being launched by Arianespace to 150.5E in 1996.
An Indosat spokesperson has previously said that a decision on whether the new bird should be managed by either Indosat or BRI, or through a joint venture, will need to be approved by the Indonesian government, which will issue the licence.
Indosat has already tapped Orbital Sciences to launch a satellite called Palapa-E, which is due to replace C2 in 2016. It also operates the Thales Alenia Space-built Palapa-D at 113E.
BRI is the oldest and most profitable bank in Indonesia. It launched an IPO in 2003, with the Indonesian government retaining a majority share of 56.75%.
SSL president John Celli said: “It is an honour to work with this venerable institution that has done so much to serve the people of Indonesia and to strengthen its economy.”
