KPL
(KPL) Laos’ first telecommunications satellite (Lao Sat-1) will be launched into orbit later this month to spur many facets of development and industry.
A signing ceremony for the joint venture to establish the Lao Sat-1 Joint Venture Company between the Lao government and three Chinese developers was held in Vientiane Capital on 30 October.
The event was attended by Deputy Prime Minister Bounpone Bouttanavong who is responsible for macroeconomics, services, posts, telecommunications and communications, Mr Hiem Phommachanh, the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications, Mr Lien Thikeo, the Minister of Finance, and Chinese ambassador to Laos Mr Guan Huabing.
Illustrative image (Source: yibada.com)
(KPL) Laos’ first telecommunications satellite (Lao Sat-1) will be launched into orbit later this month to spur many facets of development and industry.
A signing ceremony for the joint venture to establish the Lao Sat-1 Joint Venture Company between the Lao government and three Chinese developers was held in Vientiane Capital on 30 October.
The event was attended by Deputy Prime Minister Bounpone Bouttanavong who is responsible for macroeconomics, services, posts, telecommunications and communications, Mr Hiem Phommachanh, the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications, Mr Lien Thikeo, the Minister of Finance, and Chinese ambassador to Laos Mr Guan Huabing.
Representing the Lao government was Deputy Minister of Finance Mr Bounchom Ubonpaseuth. The Chinese shareholders were represented by the President of the China Asia-Pacific Mobile Telecommunications Satellite Co., Ltd. (APMT), Mr Han Qingping, Vice President of Space Star Technology Co. Ltd. (SSTC), Mr Li Jilin, and Asia-Pacific Satellite Technology (APST) executive, Mr Yao Yong.
This is the first telecommunications satellite (Lao Sat-1) of Laos and will be launched into orbit on 21 November amidst the nationwide celebration and welcoming of the 40th anniversary of the founding of the Lao PDR. The satellite is a priceless gift for the historical day of the Lao PDR and will be part of a network of satellites in Laos and overseas that will provide various communication services.
It will enhance communication links for government work, television transmission, rural and remote communications, long distance education, medical, telecoms and internet links, as well as facilitating relief efforts in times of natural disasters.
The Lao government will hold a 45 percent stake in the Lao Sat-1 Joint Venture Company, while APMT has a 35 percent shareholding, SSTC has 15 percent, and APST has a 5 percent stake.
The satellite will be launched from China into the 128.5 degrees East orbital slot, which has been specifically allocated to Laos.
The satellite project began in 2008 but there was little progress due to a lack of funding. Then in July 2012, the Lao government signed a US$259 million loan agreement with the Export-Import Bank of China.
Laos is very proud to have its own satellite for the purposes of socio-economic advancement. It will also be an important source of income.
The satellite launch is part of government efforts to propel the country towards industrialisation and employ advanced technology for telecommunications.
KPL
