Telkom to launch Palapa-B 5 in 1999<\/p>\n
BANDUNG, West Java (JP): The state-owned domestic
\ntelecommunications operator PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia (Telkom)
\nwill launch the Palapa-B 5 satellite in 1999, the company's
\npresident Setyanto P. Santosa announced.<\/p>\n
\"It takes about three years to manufacture a satellite, so
\n1999 or 2000 will be the soonest schedule for Telkom to launch
\nthe Palapa-B 5 satellite after the study is completed,\" Setyanto
\nsaid here yesterday.<\/p>\n
Minister of Tourism, Post and Telecommunications Joop Ave
\nannounced recently that the government would allow Telkom to
\noperate its own satellites again after handing over its previous
\nsatellite business to PT Satelindo in 1992.<\/p>\n
Satelindo, which is 40 percent owned by PT Bima Graha, a
\nsubsidiary of the widely-diversified Bimantara Group, 25 percent
\nby DeTeMobil of Germany, 7.5 percent by PT Indosat and 22.5
\npercent by Telkom, will manage satellites of the Palapa-C
\ngeneration. The company, which operates international as well as
\ndigital cellular telecommunications services, expects to launch
\nthe Palapa-C 1 early next year.<\/p>\n
Setyanto said that Telkom has yet to prepare any financial
\narrangements for the Palapa-B 5 and Palapa-B 6 projects.<\/p>\n
\"We may get the funds from our own equity or loans from the
\nExim Bank of the United States or other sources. The study for
\nthe project is still underway,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Setyanto refused to mention the possible value of the project.<\/p>\n
\"The government considers the business of satellites in the
\nregion as very promising and Indonesia should not lose the
\nchance,\" he said.<\/p>\n
He said there are several companies waiting for confirmation
\nabout leasing Palapa-C 1s transponders. If not, the companies
\nwill go to Thailand, Malaysia, Hong Kong or another country which
\noperates its own satellites.<\/p>\n
Telkom, which began managing satellites of the Palapa-A
\ngeneration in the 1970s, currently operates three satellites, the
\nPalapa-B 2P, Palapa-B 2R and Palapa-B 4. (pet\/icn)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/telkom-to-launch-palapa-b-5-in-1999-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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