The Russian communications regulator Roskomnadzor has reportedly launched a tender for a new satellite broadcasting licence.
According to local newspaper Kommersant, the winning bidder will be announced on 26 February and will have to pay a one-time fee…
The Russian communications regulator Roskomnadzor has reportedly launched a tender for a new satellite broadcasting licence.
According to local newspaper Kommersant, the winning bidder will be announced on 26 February and will have to pay a one-time fee of Rbs90m (US$2.7m).
The licence will enable its holder to broadcast services on the 17.3-18.1GHz and 11.7-12.5GHz frequency bands.
Kommersant also claims that these bands will give the licensee the ability to broadcast via a transponder on Asia Broadcast Satellite’s forthcoming ABS-2 satellite, which is due to be launched by Arianespace in February 2014.
With regard to this, an ABS spokesperson stated: “Our partners/customers in Russia who are interested in using the capacity on ABS-2, are managing the necessary licensing application procedures in accordance with the Russian regulatory requirements.”
Constructed by Space Systems Loral, ABS-2 has 89 active C-, Ku- and Ka-band transponders, including six dedicated high powered Ku-Band beams for DTH services in the eastern hemisphere, one of which will focus on Russia. It will be located at 75E.
Russia’s DTH market is currently dominated by Tricolor TV, NTV-Plus and Orion Express. The latter has been searching for a strategic partner to expand its offering and Russia’s largest mobile operator MTS has frequently been linked.
Roskomnadzor did not respond to SatelliteFinance’s enquiries.
