Prospects challenges of Bangabandhu satellite
n case of launching satellite, Bangladesh has become the 57th country in the world and fourth in South Asia.
The launch of satellite Bangabandhu-1 by Bangladesh brings both prospects and challenges as it is expected to help the country save foreign currency, while the challenges remain in effectively running the venture.
Prospects:
- It is said that all the investments of the satellite would return within seven years, while the satellite company would make a profit during the rest of its lifetime.
- It is expected to provide service for television channels, mobile phone companies, direct-to-home TV service providers, internet connectivity in remote areas, and for wither forecast as well as save foreign currency.
- Under the government plant, 20 out of the 40 transponders of the satellite would be leased out, while the rest 20 would be kept to meet the country’s own demand.
- Meeting its own demand, the country will be able to save $14 million in foreign currency per year.
- As per the government estimation disclosed so far, the country would be able to earn $1 billion in 15 years by leasing out transponders and another $1.5 billion by selling other services to different countries.
- The Satellite network would play an important role in ensuring uninterrupted telecommunication services throughout the country if Bangladesh’s existing telecommunication systems collapse in unexpected disasters.
- Some sectors like telemedicine, e-learning, e-research, video conference, defense & disaster management system will be improved for this satellite in Bangladesh.
- The satellite is not just for technical or commercial purposes, it will bring pride for the country.
Challenges:
- Experts said that making the project profitable would not be that much easy considering the existing structure of the company.
- The entire venture has to be managed and operated commercially unlike other state-owned enterprises. If it runs like other state-owned enterprises, it will turn into a losing concern as well.
- Representatives of television stations, who were spending $14 million a year to rent bandwidth from Indian, Chinese, and Singaporean satellites, however, said it would be difficult for them to maintain a connection with Bangabandhu Satellite-1 due to its position in the orbital slot.
- Although the work of the ground stations in Gazipur and Rangamati, which would control the satellite from the earth after the launch, has already been completed, connectivity between the two stations is yet to be established.
- The success of this satellite will depend on the policies and people working behind it.
Although there are some challenges besides the more prospects. But a new high status for us in the universe and it will develop our technical communication as well as will save foreign currency.
