News Title : Bangabandhu satellite project committee reshuffled

News Date : 2015-10-08

-Ishtiaq Husain
The government has reshuffled the Bangabandhu satellite project implementation committee in a bid to expedite the works. BTRC has also cancelled an office order made on the matter earlier, which says the committee will hold at least six meetings a year to monitor the progress of the implementation works. “The project implementation committee will supervise and monitor day-to-day works to ensure implementation of the project components as stated in the development project proposal (DPP),” a high BTRC official said. The 9-member committee is led by a member of Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC). On launching of the project, it will take a few years to reach the break-even point and help the country save $14m annually. The government can also earn renting out the satellite. The estimated cost of the project is Tk2, 967 crore, out of which around Tk1652 crore will be provided by the winning bidder, while the rest will be borne by the government. Four international companies from three countries participated in the tender process of the installation and post-installation support services for launching the country’s first-ever satellite. However, five companies had purchased the tender documents to get the work. At the last moment, one didn’t submit tender documents. The last date of submission was 18 June. The four participating companies are Great Wall Industry Corporation of China, MDA Corporation of Canada, Thales Alenia Space of France and Orbital ATK from USA. Meanwhile, BTRC has formed a three-member committee to evaluate the bidding documents. An official of the regulatory body said the evaluation was taking time and was yet to be finished. “This is a largest project in the country’s satellite sector. So the evaluation can take time.” Bangladesh signed a deal with Russia-based Intersputnik for taking lease of an orbital slot. The government is hoping to launch the satellite by the end of 2017. BTRC will pay $28m for the use of frequencies at 119.1 degree East Orbital Slot while the route carries 40 transponders for telecommunications, video and audio broadcast.

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