Vinasat 1 satellite control station. Plans for the launch of the VINASAT-2 satellite are underway.
Photo courtesy of VNS, Truong Vi
Q: The VINASAT-1 satellite was successfully launched in 2008 and has become instrumental for the telecommunications industry. There are now developments for the VINASAT-2 satellite. Can you tell us about the development process of VINASAT-2?
Bui Quoc Viet: VINASAT-2 is being developed to promote Viet Nam’s telecommunications market to meet the requirements of clients, maintain orbital positions and build upon existing VINASAT-1 infrastructure. It will also boost local expertise and further develop Viet Nam’s satellite communications technology. The Prime Minister designated the Viet Nam Posts and Telecommunications Group (VNPT) as an investor of the VINASAT-2 project, which means we are responsible for arranging other investors, consultation, purchasing the satellite equipment, insurance and launching arrangements.
The total investment capital for the project is estimated at US$290-350 million, and is divided into two phases which will be completed in 2012. The VINASAT-1 was Viet Nam’s first satellite and was successfully launched into orbit in position 132 degrees east. It was officially put into operation on May 22, 2008 and is expected to reach full capacity this year.
Q:How will VNPT promote VINASAT services overseas – have any foreign clients registered to use VINASAT-1 yet?
Bui Quoc Viet: The coverage of VINASAT-1 reaches throughout Southeast Asia and other major markets including India, Japan, Korea and even Hawaii. We have signed a training contract with Luxembourg satellite carrier SES ASTRA, and have begun co-operating with satellite carriers ABS Hong Kong and Universal Telecom Services in America regarding traffic exchange and bandwidth resale, and we are currently negotiating with Singaporean carrier Protostar. We are also negotiating with Asia-pacific partners about the possibility of leasing VINASAT-1’s C band transmitter in the Indonesian and India markets.
Q: Several businesses have indicated that VINASAT-1 rental is more expensive than Thai and Hong Kong satellites. How do you assess this and what are the advantages of VINASAT-1 in comparison with foreign satellites?
Bui Quoc Viet: The rates of satellite services around the world are based on specific requests from clients regarding technical requirements, scale and duration of service. This means that rates vary in markets, and VINASAT-1 service charges are based on these individual circumstances, so it’s hard to compare prices. That said, the VINASAT-1 service rental is flexible to ensure it remains competitive with other satellites in the region.
According to VINASAT project test results from the National Steering Committee, most parameters tested exceed expectations such as life expectancy, reliability, and sensor response. We believe this gives the VINASAT-1 a commercial advantage, in combination with the satellite’s advanced production technology, which we emphasise when negotiating with clients.
Q: What are the main differences between the VINASAT-1 and VINASAT-2?
Bui Quoc Viet: The new satellite has a larger capacity, greater weight, greater number of sensor responses, and higher bandwidth capacity. The VINASAT-2 will focus on the Ku bandwidth due to the large number of clients in the region including Viet Nam, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand and Myanmar. Life expectancy of the satellite is at least 15 years and it is estimated that VINASAT-2 will have between 24-30 emitters while VINASAT-1 has only 20 emitters. Total investment in the VINASAT-2 is estimated at between $290 and 350 million, which is dependent on contractors. A large part of the costs will be the launching service, which is increasingly expensive.
