Shin Satellite Plc., the operator of the Thaicom satellite fleet, has announced that it is seeing a rise in the number of television channels using its conventional satellites in the first quarter of 2006. New customers in Pakistan include Quami Akhbar (Dhoom TV) and Dolphin Media (Sindh TV), while Israel's RR Satellite Communications, a teleport partner of Shin Satellite that enables the company to offer global broadcasting options, increased its leased capacity. Vietnam Television (VTV), a long-established customer in the region, also increased its leased bandwidth on Thaicom to offer four more television channels in Vietnam. Others joining Thaicom in Q1 2006 are AVC TV from the Lao People's Democratic Republic, and two customers in India: Punjabi Virsa Entertainment and Rajaje Video Audio Distribution, which plan to offer entertainment and news channels.
Dr. Dumrong Kasemset, Chairman of the Executive Committee of Shin Satellite Plc, said, "In the first quarter of 2006, the Company welcomed twenty new television channels onto Thaicom satellites, bringing the total number of channels to over 200. Many of these are using the Company's world-class facilities at our teleport at Ladlumkaew, just north of Bangkok. The teleport recently was recognized among the top three teleports in the world, according to the World Teleport Association."
"We are seeing a rise in the number of customers who view Thaicom as their satellite of choice," said Dr. Kasemset. "It not only reflects the trust they place on our service, but is an indication of the continued growth we expect from this business in the future."
Shin Satellite Plc is planning to launch a new conventional satellite in mid-2006 called Thaicom 5, which will offer both C-band and Ku-Band transponders for lease. Thaicom 5 will make it possible for customers in Indochina to offer High Definition Television (HDTV) for the first time.
For more information please contact:
Shin Satellite Investor & Public Relations:
Richard W. Jones
Tel.: (662) 591-0736-49 ext. 5072
Direct: (662) 596-5072
Fax: (662 ) 591-0724
[email protected]