Thai satellite operator Thaicom has applied for a licence to operate the Thaicom 7/AsiaSat 6 satellite it plans to launch in early 2014, according to a spokesperson.
The spokesperson was unable to say when the licence would be issued by Thailand’s…
Thai satellite operator Thaicom has applied for a licence to operate the Thaicom 7/AsiaSat 6 satellite it plans to launch in early 2014, according to a spokesperson.
The spokesperson was unable to say when the licence would be issued by Thailand’s National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC).
NBTC chairman Settapong Malisuwan was quoted on 12 June saying the committee had yet to finalise fees or validity periods for the licences, which will be granted to successful companies looking to operate satellite businesses in Thailand.
Thaicom is reportedly the only company so far to apply for such a licence, which is open to businesses that are no more than 49.99%-owned by foreign entities.
Its AsiaSat 6/Thaicom 7 satellite is being jointly developed with Hong Kong-based AsiaSat. Under their partnership, AsiaSat is responsible for designing, constructing and launching the bird. Thaicom, in return for bearing some of the project’s cost, will own some of its transponders. For its part, Thaicom has agreed to pay AsiaSat an undisclosed amount twice a year throughout Thaicom 7/AsiaSat’s operational life.
The companies expect the satellite’s total cost, including its launcher, insurance, and ground system, will reach around US$171m.
The bird will be launched to 120E, where it will cover Asia and Australia with 28 high-power C-band transponders.
Rights to this orbital slot were due to expire in January this year, but the position is currently being held by an interim satellite that Thaicom reportedly aims to also obtain a licence for.
Separately, NBTC expects to finalise regulations for two other types of satellite licences this July. One will allow companies to provide uplink/downlink services, and the other will authorise capacity resellers, reported Thai daily The Nation.
Applicants for NBTC’s uplink/downlink licence will also need to obtain their own spectrum. However, the committee has yet to decide how to auction these frequencies, added the report.
