Economic Reporter :
The Bangladesh Telecommunication and Regulatory Commission (BTRC) has signed a Tk 1951.75 crore deal with French company Thales Alenia Space to procure equipment for the country’s first-ever satellite project Bangabandhu-1.
BTRC Chairman Dr Shahjahan Mahmud and Thales Alenia Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Jean-Loïc Galle signed the agreement on behalf of their respective sides in a city hotel on Wednesday.
State Minister for Posts and Telecommunications Tarana Halim was present during the signing ceremony. Tarana Halim said if the satellite is launched an uninterrupted telecommunication service will be ensured for disaster-prone Bangladesh.
Moreover, the country will also be able to earn foreign currency from satellite space rental, she added. ‘It will also create direct and indirect job opportunities as well.’
According to the deal, Franco-Italian aerospace manufacturer will operate and arrange the loan regarding satellite infrastructure, launching, land and space control system and other facilities.
The telecom regulator has signed a Tk 2,967 crore agreement with the French company Thales Alenia Space for implementation of the country’s first-ever satellite project Bangabandhu-1. Of the amount, Thales Alenia Space will give TK1,652 crore, while the rest of the money will be borne by the government.
Once the satellite is launched into orbit, it will help the country save $14m annually. The government can also earn by renting the satellite out.
Meanwhile, the regulatory body has formed an 11-member committee to fix charge of the downlink spectrum use in line with Bangladesh’s telecommunication law. The committee is led by a BTRC commissioner.
Earlier, on October 20, the cabinet committee on public purchase approved tender proposal of Thales, as all other participants were non-responsive during the process.
The French company will have to complete the work in two years as per the government’s decision. If the project misses installation deadline, Thales will have to pay compensation as per a hefty provision. Bangladesh already signed a deal with the Russian Intersputnik for taking lease of an orbital slot worth $28m.
In June, four international companies namely Great Wall Industry Corporation of China, MDA Corporation of Canada, Thales Alenia Space of France and Orbital ATK of the USA participated in the tender process of installation and post-installation support services for launching the Bangabandhu satellite.
Although the MDA Corporation had the lowest bid of $222.75m, it failed to win the bidding due to some inconsistencies in the tender price.
Given all these factors, the cabinet committee reportedly selected Thales Alenia Space, the second-lowest bidder of $248m.
The Bangladesh Telecommunication and Regulatory Commission (BTRC) has signed a Tk 1951.75 crore deal with French company Thales Alenia Space to procure equipment for the country’s first-ever satellite project Bangabandhu-1.
BTRC Chairman Dr Shahjahan Mahmud and Thales Alenia Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Jean-Loïc Galle signed the agreement on behalf of their respective sides in a city hotel on Wednesday.
State Minister for Posts and Telecommunications Tarana Halim was present during the signing ceremony. Tarana Halim said if the satellite is launched an uninterrupted telecommunication service will be ensured for disaster-prone Bangladesh.
Moreover, the country will also be able to earn foreign currency from satellite space rental, she added. ‘It will also create direct and indirect job opportunities as well.’
According to the deal, Franco-Italian aerospace manufacturer will operate and arrange the loan regarding satellite infrastructure, launching, land and space control system and other facilities.
The telecom regulator has signed a Tk 2,967 crore agreement with the French company Thales Alenia Space for implementation of the country’s first-ever satellite project Bangabandhu-1. Of the amount, Thales Alenia Space will give TK1,652 crore, while the rest of the money will be borne by the government.
Once the satellite is launched into orbit, it will help the country save $14m annually. The government can also earn by renting the satellite out.
Meanwhile, the regulatory body has formed an 11-member committee to fix charge of the downlink spectrum use in line with Bangladesh’s telecommunication law. The committee is led by a BTRC commissioner.
Earlier, on October 20, the cabinet committee on public purchase approved tender proposal of Thales, as all other participants were non-responsive during the process.
The French company will have to complete the work in two years as per the government’s decision. If the project misses installation deadline, Thales will have to pay compensation as per a hefty provision. Bangladesh already signed a deal with the Russian Intersputnik for taking lease of an orbital slot worth $28m.
In June, four international companies namely Great Wall Industry Corporation of China, MDA Corporation of Canada, Thales Alenia Space of France and Orbital ATK of the USA participated in the tender process of installation and post-installation support services for launching the Bangabandhu satellite.
Although the MDA Corporation had the lowest bid of $222.75m, it failed to win the bidding due to some inconsistencies in the tender price.
Given all these factors, the cabinet committee reportedly selected Thales Alenia Space, the second-lowest bidder of $248m.
