Laos eyes revenue from satellite beam
Companies are placing bookings to purchase satellite signals to Laos when a satellite is launched in two years' time, according to a government minister.
Speaking during the annual government meeting with provincial governors in Vientiane last week, Minister of Post and Telecommunications Hiem Phommachanh outlined the details of the project.
He said the government is cooperating with the Chinese government to run the project and plans to launch the satellite in 2015.
The project will see two satellites launched to beam signals to Laos. Laos will hold a 30 per cent share in the project with the other 70 per cent to be owned by the China’s Chengdu Linhai Electronics company.
The investors will spend US$960 million on the project, with the satellite set to operate for commercial purposes to be owned by Laos.
Hiem said a number of companies have signed up to purchase access to the signal.
The government hopes the satellites will prove to be a major income earner in the post and telecoms sector and contribute to socio-economic development, as their services will be in high demand.
