Azerbaijani satellite starts broadcasting Russian television channels

By Nigar Orujova

Broadcasting the Russian television channels via Azerbaijan's first telecommunication satellite Azerspace-1 has begun, a source in the Azerbaijani telecommunications market reported.

Several television channels such as Mir 24, Karusel, TV Zvezda, Europa Plus TV, STS, TV 3 Russia, Pyatnica, Life News, A-One, RU TV, Mult, Moskva Doverie and REN TV are now broadcasted via the Azespace-1.

Azerspace-1, which was launched in February 2013, covers Eastern Europe, the Caucasus, Central Asia and North Africa. Some 80 percent of the satellite's resources are available for commercial purposes.

Over 120 television and radio channels are broadcasted via "Azerspace-1" satellite, which is located at the orbital position 46 degrees east longitude.

The TV content is available when satellite antennas configured with 11,169 MHz frequency, 20,400 speed, Horizontal and FEC - 5/6 polarization.

Currently, Azerspace broadcasts Turkish, Georgian, Ukrainian, Lebanon, South African TV channels. Afghanistan and Iraq are also interested in using Azerspace-1 possibilities in the future.

The satellite was designed to offer digital broadcasting services, internet access, and data transmission. It also creates multiservice VSAT networks and provides governmental communication services.

Azerspace-1's term of exploitation in the orbit will be up to 15 years. Baku is expected to earn $500-600 million by operating the satellite.