Malaysian Government and industry commit to satellite development

Malaysian communications satellite operator MEASAT has used an official visit by the country’s communications and multimedia Minister to reveal details of its newest satellite, MEASAT-3b.

Dato’ Sri Ahmad Shabery Cheek, Malaysia’s Minister of Communication and Multimedia, toured the MEASAT Teleport and Broadcast Centre in Cyberjaya and reiterated his government’s commitment to communications infrastructure.

“In today’s globalised economy, connectivity and communication infrastructures are key enablers of economic and social growth,” the Minister said.

“In order for Malaysia to achieve developed nation status, the Government has invested strategically in nation-wide ICT infrastructure to support the growth of our industries, services and people. As an aspiring high-income nation, broadband penetration in itself is not adequate. We need to facilitate high speed and stable connectivity.”

During the visit, MEASAT announced the upcoming launch of the company’s next satellite, MEASAT-3b. The satellite, with a total project cost of US$370 million, is planned to be launched from the European Spaceport in French Guinea in May 2014. When operational, the satellite will be used to expand video and data services across Malaysia, India, Indonesia and Australia.

Tun Dr Hj Mohammed Hanif bin Omar, Director, MEASAT Satellite Systems, said: “MEASAT is committed to being the satellite operator of choice for the Malaysian Information and Communication Technology Industries, while developing a Malaysian champion with a strong customer base across Asia, Australia and Africa.”