Turkish TV channels may be broadcast via Azerbaijani satellite
By Nigar Orujova
Programs of the Turkish Radio and Television Corporation (TRT) broadcasters may be aired using the first Azerbaijani telecommunication satellite Azerspace-1, which was launched into space early this year.
The Communications and Information Technologies Ministry has said the issue was discussed at a meeting of Minister Ali Abbasov with a Turkish delegation headed by Director General of the TRT broadcasting company Ibrahim Shahin.
He highly assessed the existing cooperation between Azerbaijan and the Turkish broadcasting company.
Abbasov spoke about the ministry's work pertaining to radio and TV broadcasting as well as the efforts made in the field of introduction of digital technologies.
Touching upon the role of satellites in improving the quality of radio and TV broadcasts, the minister said the coverage area of the Azerspace-1 telecommunications satellite includes Europe, Central Asia and Africa.
According to the minister, TRT may take advantage of the opportunities provided by the satellite, which include broadcasting services, Internet access and data transmission.
Sahin, for his part, said the availability of a satellite is an indicator of socio-economic development of any country, and noted that the broadcasting company is also interested in the services of Azerspace-1.
Shahin said TRT has 15 TV channels and broadcasting three or four channels through the Azerbaijani satellite is possible.
Discussions at the minister's meeting with the Turkish delegation also focused on overall possibilities of broadband Internet services, training of professionals and exchange of experience in the field of broadcasting, distance learning, and other issues.
Azerbaijan's TV channels will also soon be broadcasted through Azerspace-1, the communications ministry said in April.
U.S.-based company Orbital Sciences Corporation passed on full control over Azerspace-1 to the national space agency Azercosmos. The satellite is controlled by the specialists of Azercosmos from Main Home Ground Satellite Control Center near the capital Baku.
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 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.