On May 12, 2018, the country’s only satellite, Bangabandhu Satellite-1, flew into space with the name of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu on its chest. On this historic day, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed with Bangladesh Satellite Company Limited (BSCL) and the Armed Forces Division for the use of Bangabandhu Satellite-1 bandwidth and an agreement was signed with the Bangladesh Army and Bangladesh Air Force.
Md Khalilur Rahman, Secretary, Department of Posts and Telecommunication was present as the Chief Guest, Brigadier General Hussain Muhammad Masihur Rahman, Director General (Operations and Planning), Armed Forces, SGP, SPP, NDC, AFCW was present as special guest. Dr Shahjahan Mahmood, Chairman and CEO of BSCL presided over the discussion. Greetings, Dr. Md. Sajjad Hossain Director, B.Sc.L; Brigadier General Iqbal Ahmed, NDC, AFWC, PSC, Director, Signals, Directorate, Army Head; Former Secretary Ujjal Bikash Dutta.
The program was conducted by Md Shafiqul Islam, Managing Director of BSCL. Finally, the Director of the Board of Directors Dr SM Jahangir Alam formally thanked them.
The event was attended by members of the Board of Directors of BSCL, senior officials of the Department of Posts and Telecommunications, representatives of the Armed Forces, Army, Navy and Air Force and DGFI, and senior officials of BSCL.
Under the agreement, the Armed Forces will set up a modern, secure and advanced telecommunication system using three transponders of three forces (Army, Navy and Air Force) and DGFI-Bangabandhu Satellite-1. Military departments gained self-reliance in telecommunications through the use of domestic satellites. Under the agreement, BSCL will provide exclusive use of transponders to various installations of the Armed Forces and the Armed Forces will be able to coordinate and use these waves among themselves in case of emergency.
It is to be noted that Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's cherished dream of building a ‘Sonar Bangla’ has been realized in the first step of Bangladesh's self-reliance in space and satellite world. And under the successful launch of Bangabandhu Satellite-1. In the meantime, all the television channels of the country, Bangladesh Betar, Akash DTH, Department of Fisheries, Eastern Bank Ltd. and UK based Madani TV are receiving the services of Bangabandhu Satellite-1.
In this connection, work is underway to launch the next satellite of the country which, if launched, will take the country further on the path of self-reliance.
