PT Satelindo seeks satellite manufacturer

JAKARTA (JP): PT Satelindo, a private telecommunications operator, has invited five leading satellite manufacturers to bid for the construction and financing of the company's new telecommunications spacecraft.

Satelindo's president, Iwa Sewaka, said here yesterday that British Aerospace, Space System Loral, Hughes Space and Communications, Lockheed Martin and Aerospatiale had been invited to join the tender.

Iwa said the satellite, which would be used to provide telecommunications and broadcasting services, was scheduled for operation within the next two years.

"Except for British Aerospace, we have learned that the other four satellite manufacturers are interested in the limited tender," he told reporters after signing an agreement with PT Datakom Asia's top executive, Peter F. Gontha.

He said Satelindo would select those which would also be able to back up the financing for the satellite construction.

"The project may cost up to US$250 million or more if financing for vehicle launching service is included," Iwa said.

He refused to elaborate on the new satellite project.

The four-year Satelindo runs three services: international telecommunications, cellular telephone and satellite transponder leasing. The company owns and operates two Palapa C satellites which are currently in orbit.

Satelindo and Datakom signed here yesterday an agreement allowing the two parties to cooperate in satellite business.

The agreement signed by Iwa and Gontha is related to the use of Satelindo's retail network for the retailing of Datakom's Indovision DTH services, the mutual use as a back-up facility of the companies' respective satellite control ground stations and possible use by Datakom of Ku-band transmission facilities on the Palapa C2 satellite. (icn)