IT Live: Commercial operation of Bangladesh’s first communication satellite Bangabandhu-I (BS-I) will begin tomorrow on the occasion of launching anniversary ceremony following the successful trial run.

Bangladesh Communication Satellite Company Limited (BCSCL), the assigned entity to manage the BS-I, will sign agreements with the local television (TV) channels and other firms to rent the transponders of the satellite, said officials.

Talking to BSS on Saturday, BCSCL Chairman Dr Shahjahan Mahmood said commercial journey of BS-I will start tomorrow completing successful trial run for couple of months. “We will sign agreements and hand over documents with the TV channels and others tomorrow,” he revealed.

TVs are not needed to install any earth station to get the service from BS-I. Installation of earth station requires a big cost for the TVs and that is why the BCSCL is providing connection to the TV channels with its ground station through the optical fiber for transmission.

The BS-I, launched to the orbit on May 12 last year, went to the trial transmission on September 4 last year through the broadcasting of South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Championship with the state-owned Bangladesh Television (BTV). Then it has been gradually connected with other local TV channels and provided feed on trial run basis.

Although the launching anniversary was May 12 but the BCSCL is celebrating it tomorrow in a city hotel. In the ceremony, a commemorative postage stamp would be unveiled along with the display of road show (BS-I’s different services), audio visual and others to mark the historic day as the 57th nation of satellite owners’ club.

In addition, commercial service of country’s first local Direct-To-Home (DTH) television will also begin tomorrow. Beximco Communications Limited (BCL) has introduced the DTH brand “Akash”.

BCSCL has hired international consultancy firm Thaicom for two years to run marketing and sale of the connectivity of BS-I in six countries, including four neighbours. The Thai firm is currently active in around 20 countries.

Dhaka, 18 May (campuslive24.com)//MIH