Thaicom Public Company Limited has signed a transponder leasing agreement with MV International Company Limited (MVI), a leading Thai broadcaster and DTH platform operator, to establish a pay-TV platform in Laos.
Under the multi-year agreement, MVI has signed a contract for Ku-band capacity on the THAICOM 8 satellite, which represents a total solution for broadcast and data clients in Asia and Africa via the satellite's Ku-band coverage. The satellite supports the high demand for capacity of the broadcasting industry as it transitions from standard definition to high definition and ultrahigh definition.
Artistic rendition of the THAICOM-8 satellite.
Image is courtesy of Orbital ATK.
THAICOM 8 has a total of 24 Ku-band transponders which cover Thailand, South Asia, and Africa. Co-located with THAICOM 5 and THAICOM 6 at 78.5 degrees East, THAICOM 8 entered service in July of 2016. The rich video channel neighborhood at this orbital slot is one of the leading in Asia for a variety of programming.
Orbital ATK manufactured the satellite and SpaceX was responsible for the launch of THAICOM 8, which is designed to operate for more than 15 years.
Patompob (Nile) Suwansiri, Chief Commercial Officer of Thaicom, reported that the deal underlines Thaicom’s long-term commitment to the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC). Satellite enabled telecommunications infrastructure development is essential to the realization of ASEAN's goal of economic integration.
Kuntima Sarika, Vice President ASEAN Market of Thaicom, added that his firm is pleased to support MVI’s development of a pay-TV platform in Laos. The commissioning of THAICOM 8 in 2016 has helped further consolidate Thaicom’s video channel neighborhood of high-power satellites at the 78.5 degrees East orbital slot as the point of reference for broadcasting in Southeast Asia.
Chaiyuth Tavipvordech, President, MVI, noted that Thaicom and their THAICOM 8 satellite enable us to establish a pay-TV platform in Laos to deliver high quality broadcasting services and programming. Thaicom’s premium satellite communications services present MVI the opportunity to expand our business into new media and broadcast service segments of the South East Asian market.
