China Direct Broadcast Satellite Co Ltd (China DBSAT), the only
satellite operator on the mainland, was inaugurated yesterday,
marking the nation's effort to reshuffle its satellite services
sector.
"China DBSAT is now the second largest operator in Asia in terms
of satellite numbers," said Cheng Guangren, chairman of the
Beijing-based company. "We will make hefty investments in the next
five years to strengthen our infrastructure."
China Satellite Communications Corp and Sino Satellite
Communications Co Ltd, two major domestic satellite operators, have
injected their satellite-related operations into China DBSAT,
making it the only satellite operator on the mainland.
China DBSAT now has total assets of 7 billion yuan and operates
four satellites including SinoSat 1 and SinoSat3. The company's
main business area is direct broadcast satellite (DBS) services,
but it also provides services in satellite Internet access and
telecommunications.
DBS service refers to satellite systems through which
subscribers receive signals for television, radio and
telecommunications directly from geostationary satellites.
China DBSAT now transmits programs for 169 TV and 40 radio
stations. The company's total revenue is expected to reach 800
million yuan in 2008, with about one-tenth contributed by overseas
clients.
"Our ability to provide DBS services will be enhanced once
ChinaSat 9 is put into operation next year," said Cheng.
China launched SinoSat 2 last October to establish its first DBS
system. But the satellite failed to work because of problems with
its solar power panels. Scientists are studying ways to resolve the
problem.
ChinaSat 9 is also part of China's DBS system, which will be
able to transmit signals covering 98 percent of the nation's
territory. It's capable of transmitting up to 200 radio and TV
channels to users throughout China, including Hong Kong, Macao and
Taiwan.
The DBS system is expected to boost the development of China's
satellite TV market. Chinese cable TV subscribers have reached 140
million. In contrast, about 300 million households still receive
wireless TV signals and some regions receive no signals, according
to a report from a publication owned by the State Administration of
Radio, Film and Television, the broadcast regulator.
According to the report, over 15 million households in China are
expected to adopt satellite TV services by 2010.
(China Daily December 26, 2007)
