PT Satelindo seeks satellite manufacturer

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)