Astro commits to 18 transponders on Measat-3b

Measat Global has entered into an agreement with Measat Broadcast Network Systems (Astro) for capacity on the Measat-3b satellite. Under the agreement, Astro had committed to leasing 18 Ku-band transponders on Measat-3b for the life of the satellite for its direct-to-home (DTH) services in Malaysia and Brunei. Datuk Umar bin Haji Abu, chairman of Measat Global, said: “We are pleased to be able to support Astro’s continued growth with capacity on the new Measat-3b satellite. With the commitment from Astro, we have now secured end-of-life leases for 50% of the satellite’s capacity.” The Measat-3b satellite has been designed to provide an additional 48 Ku-band transponders to the 91.5°E orbital location. Operating in tandem with the Measat-3 and Measat-3a satellites, Measat-3b will provide high powered Ku-band capacity for DTH services across Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia and India for growth and backup services. “With the launch of Measat-3b, 91.5°E will have 100 Ku-band transponders across three co-located satellites, making it the most robust DTH hotslot in Asia,” added Umar.