The Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) has launched an open tender for its first satellite, Bangabandu 1.
The tender invites proposals for the in-orbit delivery of a geosynchronous satellite equipped with 40 transponders, 26…
The Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) has launched an open tender for its first satellite, Bangabandu 1.
The tender invites proposals for the in-orbit delivery of a geosynchronous satellite equipped with 40 transponders, 26 Ku-band and 14 C-band. The satellite is anticipated to be launched in late 2017.
As a turnkey procurement contract, the successful bidder is expected to provide the launch, ground segment and launch-plus-one insurance coverage for Bangabandu 1.
In addition, while the BTRC has a sovereign guarantee from the government of Bangladesh to fund the Tk29.68bn (US$374m) project, bidders are required to propose financing for 85% of its value.
The deadline for tender submissions is 2 June 2015.
BTRC appointed US-based consultancy firm Space Partnership International back in March 2012 to help with the project and put together the tender documents.
One of the main reasons why it has taken so long to launch the tender has been disagreements between the BTRC and the finance ministry over funding the project. The Tk29.68bn (US$374m) budget, including tax, was finally approved by the government in September 2014 enabling the regulator to push ahead with its plan.
In January 2015, the BTRC signed an agreement with Intersputnik, the Moscow-based intergovernmental capacity provider, to use the 119.1E orbital position. Financial details were not disclosed but local newspaper the Dhaka Tribune claimed that BTRC paid around US$28m for the slot.
The newspaper also alleged that China Great Wall Industry Corporation had approached BTRC back in March 2014 with an offer for the satellite, including a loan from the Chinese Exim Bank.