VNPT officially announce the preparation of VINASAT-1 launching
Starting the press conference, Vietnam Post and Telecommunications (VNPT) Vice President Nguyen Ba Thuoc reminded the development of VINASAT-1 project. This is a national project, drawing special concern of Vietnamese Government. Since 1998, the Government has approved the prefeasible report on Vietnam Satellite launching project - VINASAT of the existing Ministry of Information and Communication (MIC) and VNPT. In 1999, the Government established the National Steering Board of VINASAT Project. In 2002, the Government approved basic contents of the feasible researching report of VINASAT Project and issued Decision No.1104/QD-TTg on project investment of which VNPT is the investor and implementer.
VINASAT-1 is a telecom satellite valued USD200 million, consulted and supervised by Telesat (Canada), produced by Lockheed Martin and launched by Arianespace of France and insuranced with a value of USD177 million (insurer Bao Viet and P&T Insurance Company) and reinsuranced via 20 Vietnamese and International Insurance company.
With the transmission capacity equivalent to 10,000 voice/Internat/datatransmission or about 120 televisions, VINASAT-1 will help Vietnam complete bringing all services of telecom, Internet and television to far and remote areas... where other transmission methods are difficult to reach, especially VINASAT-1 will effectively support information for the working life of seamen and developing the economy.
At the press conference, Vice President Nguyen Ba Thuoc stated that, to date, a standing technical group of VNPT at the United State together with Lockheed Martin and Arianespace has realized the strict technical inspection to VINASAT-1; VINASAT-1 has been transported to Kourou launching ground (in French-Guyana, South America) on 7 March, 2008 and begin to realize measurement process before launching. Therefore, all preparation has been made. VNPT representative as a project investment owner, Vice President Nguyen Ba Thuoc has officially announced with press circle. As planned, VINASAT-1 will be launched on 5:30 am of 12 April 2008.