After a long wait, Myanmar has finally conducted its very own satellite launch, the Intelsat 39/Myanmar Sat 2. Correspondingly, the satellite will significantly improve telecommunication throughout the country by the fourth quarter of 2019.
A French service provider Arianespace was able to successfully launch two satellites into their orbit, one of them is the Intelsat 39. The launch took place at a Europe’s spaceport in French Guiana, a French territory in South America. The name of the launch site is Guiana Space Center.
According to The Myanmar Times, Maxar Technologies manufactured the satellite. In addition, the satellite has steerable beams which will greatly boost flexibility if there prevails any change.
Also read: Japan Joins the Fray in Flying Car Development
To improve the telecommunication, the Ministry of Transport and Communications (MOTC) will receive C- and Ku- band services. Therefore, it will ensure that 95% of the population will be able to utilize broadband connectivity by 2022.
“(After the Intelsat 39 is launched), communications can be established quickly in case of a natural disaster where photos, videos, and information can be shared significantly contributing to the success of rescue works,” stated U Win Aung, chief engineer of the Ministry of Transport and Communications’ Information Technology and Cyber Security Department.
“As we are able to manage and operate our own satellite frequency, it would increase the nation’s GDP from 3% to 5%,” he added.
Prior to the Launch
Myanmar, prior to the launch, was leasing satellite channels from the US, China, Thailand, Vietnam, and Indonesia. The country spent more than US$ 10 million annually.
During its two-year development, the government allocated a total sum of US$ 155.7 million. The amount of money seems to be fair as the satellite will believably improve the connectivity to be 8 to 10 times faster.
The government actually planned to launch the Intelsat 39 on July 24. However, they needed to reschedule it as Vega Rocket had to launch United Arab Emirates’ military satellite on July 10.
To date, the service of Myanmar Sat 2 is unavailable. Instead, government, companies, and people would be able to use it by October 2019.
