Asia Broadcast Satellite
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Private (Majority owned by Permira) | |
Industry | Satellite communication |
Founded | 1997 |
Headquarters | Hong Kong, China |
Key people | Thomas K. Choi (CEO) |
Website |
Asia Broadcast Satellite Limited is a Hong Kong-based communication satellite operator. As one of the fastest growing communication satellite operators, its services include satellite-to-home and satellite-to-cable TV distribution, cellular services, and internet services. The company established telecommunications networks in Africa, Russia, Asia and the Middle East. The service currently covers 80% of the population in the Americas, Africa, Asia Pacific, Europe, the Middle East, CIS and Russia.[1] The company aims to expand their satellite fleet by two, from six communication satellites to eight satellites, in 2015.[2] As of March 2015, one of the two planned satellites has launched, and is currently moving to the target orbit.
Asia Broadcast Satellite was recognized by the Export-Import Bank of the United States for the purchase of two all-electric satellites and one satellite utilizing conventional propellant using the bank's loans, which created "an estimated 3,700 high tech jobs," according to the bank.[3] As of February 2015, all but one of the satellites funded has launched.
History
Asia Broadcast Satellite Limited was founded in 1997[4] and acquired its first satellite, a Lockheed Martin 3000 satellite, in 2006, from another satellite operator.
On November 2009, Asia Broadcast Satellite and Eutelsat agreed to cooperate at the 75° East orbital position. In the agreement, the ABS-1 and ABS-1A satellites would remain in their orbital position, while one Eutelsat satellite was maneuvered into a nearby position at the same orbital longitude. The purpose for the agreement was to "greatly benefit the customers of both Eutelsat and ABS who have been seeking expansion capacity in these regions", according to a press release from Asia Broadcast Satellite. [5]
In September 2010, Permira, a global private equity fund, acquired Asia Broadcast Satellite for $200 million.[6]
Asia Broadcast Satellite then found funding from the Export-Import Bank of the United States to build three new satellites for their network.
By January 2015, Asia Broadcast Satellite operated a fleet of six satellites.
On March 2, 2015, the seventh satellite for Asia Broadcast Satellite was launched. Called ABS-3A, it was the first all-electric commercial satellite[7] and launched on a Falcon 9 alongside Eutelsat 115 West B, operated by Eutelsat. Asia Broadcast Satellite plans to launch a second all-electric satellite, ABS-2A, in late 2015.
Services
Broadcast Services | Data Services | Value Added Services |
---|---|---|
Broadcasting | GSM Backhaul | iDirect |
Direct to Home (DTH) | Internet Connectivity (IPLC) | DVB-S2 |
Cable Distribution | SCPC Data Links | |
Video Contribution | VSAT Networks (TDM / TDMA & DVB-S2 ACM) | |
High Definition (HDTV) | Maritime Telephony & Data Services | |
Satellite News Gathering (SNG) |
Satellites
Asia Broadcast Satellite operates a fleet of six satellites. Satellites are based off the Lockheed Martin, Space Systems/Loral, and recently, Boeing Space Systems satellite bus.
According to CEO Tom Choi in an interview with Via Satellite, Asia Broadcast Satellite chose electric satellites to save mass, which allows for satellite dual launches: "Because of the all-electric thrusters, we are able to save more than 2,000 kg of bi-prop which allows us to put more payload on the spacecraft as well as the advantage of launching two satellites on a Falcon 9." Additionally, he claimed that working with Boeing for a low-mass satellite platform would allow them to catch up to their competitors. [8]
One satellite, ABS-3A, is currently in transit to the targeted geostationary orbit. It is notable for being the first commercial satellite to use fully Electrically powered spacecraft propulsion for orbit raising and station keeping. ABS-2A, the second all-electric satellite in Asia Broadcast Satellite's fleet, is planned for launch in late 2015. [9]
The company has focused on the 75° East orbital position, which allows for good coverage over the majority of the world's population. ABS-1, Asia Broadcast Satellite's first satellite, was positioned in that orbital slot. Recently, the company has expanded into nearby regions, such as 67° East, while moving away from the 75° East orbital position.[10]
Operational satellites
Satellite | Bus | COSPAR id | Location | Regions served | Launch | Comments |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ABS-1A | LM 3000 | 1996-003A | 67°E | Afghanistan, Pakistan | 1996/1/14 | Originally named Mugungwa 2 and Koreasat 2 |
ABS-2 | Loral FS 1300 | 2014-006A | 75°E | Global band | 2014/2/6 | Originally named ST 3, Koreasat 8, Condosat 2 |
ABS-3 | Loral FS 1300 | 1997-042A | 3°W | Sub-Saharan Africa | 1997/8/19 | Originally named Agila 2, Mabuhay 1, ABS 5 |
ABS-4 | Loral FS 1300 | 2004-007A | 61°E | GCC and Northern Africa | 2004/3/13 | Originally named ABS 2i, Mobisat-1, MBSAT 1 |
ABS-6 | LM A2100 | 1999-053A | 159°E | Pacific Ocean and Eastern Asia | 1999/9/26 | Originally named LMI 1, Condosat 1. Replaced ABS-1 |
ABS-7 | LM A2100 | 1997-042A | 116.1°E | Pakistan, Afghanistan, North India | 1999/9/26 | Originally named Koreasat 3, Mugungwa 3 |
Planned future satellites
Asia Broadcast Satellite has announced two future satellites, which are both based on the Boeing 702SP satellite platform, which offers all-electric propulsion.[11] Both satellites are funded by a US Ex-Im bank loan to expand high-tech US jobs and create a new satellite service. ABS-3A has launched and is moving to target orbit, and ABS-2A is scheduled for launch later in 2015.
Satellite | Location | Regions served | Launch | Comments |
---|---|---|---|---|
ABS-3A | 3°W | Global | 2015/3/2 | First all-electric satellite. Launched and moving to target orbit. |
ABS-2A | 3°W | India, Southeast Asia, Russia, Sub-Saharan Africa, GCC | 2015 | Second all-electric satellite. |
References
- ↑ "Revolutionary ABS-3A Launched". Asia Broadcast Satellite. 1 March 2015. Retrieved 4 March 2015.
- ↑ "Asia Broadcast Satellite- Corporate Overview". AB Satellite. Asia Broadcast Satellite. Retrieved 28 February 2015.
- ↑ Formella, Linda (24 April 2014). "Asia Broadcast Satellite Wins Ex-Im Bank 2014 Deal of the Year". Export-Import Bank of the United States. Retrieved 5 March 2015.
- ↑ "Company Overview of Asia Broadcast Satellite Limited". Bloomberg Business. Bloomberg. Retrieved 28 February 2015.
- ↑ "Eutelsat and Asia Broadcast Satellite strike strategic agreement for cooperation at 75° East position". Asia Broadcast Satellite. 16 November 2009. Retrieved 5 March 2015.
- ↑ "Permira buys satellite operator ABS for 200mln - Sources". Reuters. Reuters.
- ↑ Clark, Stephen (2 March 2015). "Plasma-driven satellite launched from Cape Canaveral". SpaceFlight Now. Retrieved 4 March 2015.
- ↑ Choi, Tom (1 October 2015). "Tom Choi CEO, Asia Broadcast Satellite". Retrieved 5 March 2015.
- ↑ Reporter, Staff (31 July 2013). "ABS confirms plan to build ABS-2A satellite". Satellite Pro. Retrieved 4 March 2015.
- ↑ "http://spacenews.com/asia-broadcast-satellite-hopes-validate-business-model-year/". SpaceNews. 29 June 2004. Retrieved 5 March 2015.
- ↑ Clark, Stephen (12 March 2014). "Boeing reveals government's all-electric satellite purchase". Spaceflight Now. Retrieved 4 March 2015.