State TV channels to broadcast via Azerspace satellite from July
By Nigar Orujova
Azerbaijan's first telecommunication satellite, Azerspace, will start broadcasting state-run TV channels from July.
Currently, the state TV channels AzTV, Idman (Sports) Azerbaycan and Medeniyyet (Culture) are broadcasting via the satellite in the test mode.
"Talks on signing a contract with the rest of the Azerbaijani TV channels are underway, and initially broadcasting by the Azerspace satellite will be organized in the next two months," a source close to the project said.
Azerbaijani space agency Azercosmos completed technical work on the allocation of resources of the satellite to local TV and radio broadcasters on May 16.
Launched in February, Azerspace was on trials until March. The test operation period ended in April and since then the satellite has been ready for commercial exploitation.
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.
Exact coordinates of frequencies upon which the user devices including satellite antennas and receivers will be tuned will be announced in the near future.
North African telecommunication operators started using resources of the satellite earlier in May and the Turkish Radio and Television Corporation (TRT) broadcasters may air their programs through Azerspace-1 as well.
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 was designed to offer digital broadcasting services, Internet access, data transmission, to create multiservice VSAT networks and provide for governmental communication.
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 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. The satellite is expected to fetch $500-600 million to the country's coffers in 15 years.