Azernews.Az

By Nigar Orujova

North African telecommunication operators have started using resources of the first Azerbaijani telecommunication satellite Azerspace/Africasat-1, Communications and Information Technologies Minister Ali Abbasov said on Monday.

Launched on February 8 through Ariane 5 ECA rocket carrier owned by the French Arianespace company from the ELA-3 launch facility at the Guiana Space Centre, Azerspace-1 was on trials until March. The test operation period ended on April 2 and since then the satellite has been ready for commercial exploitation.

Technical work on connecting local TV and radio broadcasters to the satellite's resources has also finished. The main aim for now is to sign contracts with TV channels and radio stations, as well as use satellite TV antennas.

Earlier, the ICT Ministry said that Azerbaijani TV channels will soon be broadcast through Azerspace-1.

Moreover, programs of the Turkish Radio and Television Corporation (TRT) broadcasters may be aired using Azerspace-1.

The satellite is controlled by the specialists of Azercosmos from Main Home Ground Satellite Control Center near the capital Baku. An alternative ground control center is located in Nakhchivan.

The total value of the Azerspace-1 project is about $230 million, including expenses on the construction of ground control stations, staff training, insurance costs and launching.

According to the Azercosmos expectations, the satellite will fetch $500-600 million to the country's coffers in 15 years.

Launch of two more Azerbaijani satellites - a low-orbit satellite and another telecommunication satellite - is scheduled for 2015 and 2016 respectively.

Some 20 percent of the satellite's resources will be used for Azerbaijan's needs, and 80 percent will be available for commercial purposes.

The satellite exploitation term in the orbit will be up to 15 years. The satellite's services will cover Eastern Europe, the Caucasus, Central Asia and North Africa.

The satellite was designed to offer digital broadcasting services, Internet access, data transmission, and to create multiservice VSAT networks and provide for governmental communication.