Azernews.Az

By Nigar Orujova

Azerbaijani space agency Azercosmos has completed technical work on the allocation of resources of the first national telecommunication satellite Azerspace/Africasat-1a to local TV and radio broadcasters, the agency said on May 16.

With the completion of technical work to connect local TV and radio broadcasters to the satellite's resources, the main goal now is to sign contracts with TV channels and radio stations, as well as use satellite TV antennas.

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.

According to Azercosmos, transmission of Azerbaijani television and radio broadcasters through the satellite is expected in the near future after pertinent contracts are signed with TV and radio broadcasting companies.

Azerspace will offer many advantages to the local TV and radio companies, as well as acceptable conditions for transmission. Special data compression technology will allow TV and radio companies to reduce usage of the satellite's resources and organize packet transmission of the highest quality.

The main factor of quality will be the high level of signal transmission in the satellite's coverage area.

"Satellite antennas and receivers of the population may be used for satellite TV," Azercosmos said. "Azerspace/Africasat-1a satellite is placed at the 46 degrees east longitude orbital position. Exact coordinates of frequencies upon which the user devices, including satellite antennas and receivers, will be tuned, will be disclosed in the near future."

North African telecommunication operators started using resources of the satellite earlier in May.

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.

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, to create multiservice VSAT networks and provide for governmental communication.

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.