Bangabandhu Satellite for The Peoples Republic of Bangladesh

BETHESDA, Md., March 30, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Space Partnership International (SPI) announces the official signing of an exclusive contract to provide consultancy services to the Bangladesh Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (BTRC) for the launching of the country's first communications satellite -- Bangabandhu.

The contract, which was signed in Dhaka by Major General Zia Ahmed, psc (retd.) Chairman of the BTRC and Bruce D. Kraselsky, a Managing Director of SPI, is a critical step in the national objective to launch the Bangabandhu satellite system.

Signing of the three year, multi-discipline contract illustrates SPI's broad range of capabilities to assist governments and commercial entities in the development and implementation of complex satellite businesses. SPI has been involved in various aspects of satellite construction and launch as well as business development for over 80 programs internationally.  Its team of experts, including its long-term strategic partner RKF Engineering, have led the design and construction oversight of numerous complex satellite space stations, ground equipment networks and user terminals. 

SPI's Managing Director, Bruce Kraselsky stated: "We are honored to have been selected from an impressive international field of qualified organizations to assist Bangladesh in the development of the Bangahandu satellite system which will complement its terrestrial telecommunications infrastructure as well as expand its telecommunications capabilities throughout the region and fill the gap in the Digital Divide."

Major General Zia Ahmed, psc (retd.) Chairman of the BTRC, remarked: "The Bangabandhu Satellite system represents an opportunity to provide advanced communications and broadcasting access including; high speed Internet, direct-to-home broadcast satellite services and corporate communications for the citizens of Bangladesh, and the region in a cost-effective manner.  The satellite will be a revenue source for Bangladesh, from use by other nations in the region. This partnership demonstrates a key step in Bangladesh's commitment to increasing economic growth, and enhancing the quality of life for all Bangladeshi citizens through communications, that can reach any part of the country to deliver e-Learning, Telemedicine, Banking, Border Security and more".

ABOUT SPI

SPI advises a wide range of domestic and international satellite and telecommunications clients in all phases of planning and development.  Core competencies include feasibility and engineering studies, regulatory and frequency coordination; business development and spacecraft, launch and insurance procurements.  Through its broad industry experience, the SPI team delivers bottom-line results to a range of clients that include; commercial satellite operators and service providers as well as government space and telecommunications agencies. SPI is comprised of seasoned and well-regarded sector executives with a keen and discerning eye on the full spectrum of industry related issues and evolutionary challenges. www.spacepi.com

ABOUT BTRC

BTRC is an independent Commission established under the Bangladesh Telecommunication Act, 2001. Its purpose is as follows: (a) To encourage the orderly development of a telecommunication system that enhances and strengthens the social and economic welfare of Bangladesh; (b) To ensure, in keeping with the prevalent social and economic realities of Bangladesh, access to reliable, reasonably priced and modern telecommunication services and internet-services for the greatest number of people, as far as practicable; (c) To ensure the efficiency of the national telecommunication system and its capability to compete in both the national and International spheres; (d) To prevent and abolish discrimination in providing telecommunication services, to progressively effect reliance on competitive and market oriented system, and in keeping with these objectives, to ensure effective control of the Commission; (e) To encourage the introduction of new services and to create a favorable atmosphere for the local and foreign investors who intend to invest in the telecommunication sector in Bangladesh.  BTRC has established a Project Office to launch the Country's first satellite named Bangabandhu Satellite.

SOURCE Space Partnership International