10 TV channels using Bangabandhu Satellite

Ten television stations including three state-run television stations are currently using Bangabandhu-1, the country's first communication satellite, for airing their transmission activities. State-run Bangladesh Betar is also using the satellite.

These stations are three state-run TV station BTV World, Sangsad Bangladesh Television and BTV Chattogram; and seven private stations Somoy TV, DBC News, Independent TV, NTV, Ekattor TV, Bijoy TV and Boishaki TV. According to Bangladesh Communication Satellite Company Limited (BCSCL), the channels are currently using the Bangabandhu satellite for free and will start paying for the service from March next year.

For next three months, the channels are getting connection with foreign satellite Apstar still remain the same as they have to submit the cancellation notice before three months as per the service agreement. These private TV channels will give this notice in January. After that, private channels will be able to transmit their airing through using Bangabandhu-1 in full swing from March.

In this regards, BCSCL and the country's first direct-to-home company RealVU, which is testing programs aired by 48 local and international channels through Bangabandhu-1, have signed an agreement for television transmission.As a result, within a shortest possible time they will be able to broadcast 48 local and foreign TV channels through Bangabandhu-1 satellite.

BCSCL will also sign agreement with another two local VSAT companies soon so that the satellite will go for earning quickly.After launching on May 11, 2018, the manufacturer Company Thales Alenia Space handed over the Bangabandhu-1 to BCSCL in November. If this won't take too much time, BCSCL would able to start commercial activities earlier, a BCSCL officials pointed out.

Beside, telecommunication regulator commission has already made it mandatory for the new television channels to take bandwidth from the state-owned satellite to ensure optimum use of Bangabandhu-1's capacity.

Allowing Bangladesh to enter the elite space club of 57 nations who have sent satellites into orbit, Bangabandhu-1 satellite was launched in May this year under a project costing Tk 2,765.66 crore. BCSCL took over control of the satellite from its manufacturer Thales Alenia Space on November 9, 2018.