Earning from services of Bangabandhu Satellite-1 (BS1) in the last three years has already exceeded Tk 300 crore.
At present, the monthly income, all from the domestic market, of the company that operates the satellite, is around Tk 10 crore.
At present, the satellite is used by 38 private TV channels, the state broadcasters - Bangladesh Television and Bangladesh Betar, and the only DTH operator Akash. Meanwhile, two reputed commercial banks in the country have already started offering their clients ATM services using the satellite.
Negotiations are underway with many more public-private banks, which will come under the service of BS1 in the near future subject to the signing of an agreement. Recently, the Armed Forces Division signed a Memorandum of Understanding with BSCL. Under this, Army, Navy and Air Force and DGFI will come under the service of the satellite in Bangladesh. The forces will collectively receive services through three transporters.
As part of the government’s commitment to ‘Digital Bangladesh’, BSCL is providing telecommunication services in 112 locations in 31 remote islands. More people from such remote and hilly areas will come under the satellite services.
In addition, various important government and non-government organizations have shown interest in availing the services of the satellite and discussions are continuing with many of them. Following the successful negotiation and agreement, a large subscriber group of the satellite will be formed in the local market and huge revenue will be earned by the satellite.
The supply of satellite bandwidth in the global market is more than the demand and the marketing activities of Bangabandhu Satellite-1 in foreign markets are hampered due to the Covid-19. As the pandemic situation is improving, in the new normal situation the company has started marketing activities in the international market.
Considering the overall situation, the company has focused on developing the domestic market and is constantly expanding new services based on satellite. BSCL has recently started its business journey in foreign markets by launching a UK-based satellite TV channel using BS1. It is expected to increase further in the coming days. Several other highly popular foreign channels have also shown interest in broadcasting in this region using the satellite and discussions are underway with them.
Bangabandhu Satellite-1 is an important state asset, a symbol of the development and pride of the nation. The nation has deep faith in it. Therefore, any negative news published on BS1 confuses and shocks the people.
News that was published in other papers and online portals stating that the satellite could not earn money in the last three years is totally false. The authority concerned has asked all the concerns to communicate with the company before filing any negative news.
