RI, RP, Thai firms will set up satellite operator<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Three telecommunications companies from
\nIndonesia, Thailand and the Philippines agreed yesterday to
\nestablish a mobile satellite telecommunication operator.<\/p>\n
The agreement was signed by three top executives of the
\nparticipating parties -- Adi Rahman Adiwoso from Pasific Satelit
\nNusantara of Indonesia, Cesar G. Reyes from Philippines Long
\nDistance Telephone Co. of the Philippines and Adisai Bodharamik
\nfrom Jasmine International Public Co. Ltd. of Thailand.<\/p>\n
The new company, called Asia Cellular Satellite System, is
\nequally owned by the three parties.<\/p>\n
Adiwoso said that the new company, capitalized at US$150
\nmillion, will operate satellite telecommunications which will use
\nfour geo-stationary satellites to be called Garuda.<\/p>\n
\"I hope other ASEAN countries would join the venture,\" he
\nsaid. In addition to Indonesia, Thailand and the Philippines, the
\nAssociation of Southeast Asian Nations also groups Singapore,
\nMalaysia and Brunei.<\/p>\n
A feasibility study of the US$900-million project has been
\ncompleted by PT Pasific Satelit Nusantara in cooperation with
\nSingapore Technologies Ventures, Singapore Telecommunications
\nLtd. and Hughes Communications Inc.<\/p>\n
The project, covering the most important region in Asia, will
\nallow any person with a handheld device to directly communicate
\nwith another person carrying a similar device within the
\nsatellite coverage and, through ground station gateways and
\nnormal public switch telephone networks, to any person with a
\ncellular or normal fixed telephone anywhere in the world.<\/p>\n
\"The first satellite will be launched in 1997. We have
\ncurrently two bidders for the manufacture of the satellites,
\ncomprising of Hughes Aircraft Co. and Martin Marietta of the
\nUnited States,\" he said.<\/p>\n
He said that two million people are expected to subscribe to
\nthe business.<\/p>\n
He also said the business will likely break even with about
\none million subscribers.(icn)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/ri-rp-thai-firms-will-set-up-satellite-operator-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}