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DHAKA: Newly appointed state minister of Information Tarana Halim said Bangladesh’s first satellite, Bangabandhu-1, will be launched within March 27-31.
Recently, Tarana Halim, previous state minister for Post and Telecommunication, has been transferred to state minister of Information as part of a cabinet reshuffle.
Tarana joined office for the first day at secretariat on Sunday (Jan 7). Later she talked to reporters while Information Minister Hasanul Huq Inu was also present.
Mentioning her previous developmental activities regarding the telecom ministry, she said, “I have kept the satellite launch date secret as a surprise. From the point of accountability, the last scheduled time for the launch is within 27-31 March. All the preparation has been completed roughly.”
Bangabandhu-1 is expected to provide services to all South Asian countries as well as Indonesia, the Philippines, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, if its frequency is properly coordinated, according to project documents.
The lifespan of the satellite will be 15 years, which will allow the country to earn $1 billion by leasing out the transponders and another $1.5 billion by selling other services.
In November 2015, the BTRC signed a $248-million deal with Thales Alenia Space to manufacture and launch the country's first satellite.
BDST: 1605 HRS, JAN 7, 2017
AP/SMS