MEASAT-3d to expand high-speed broadband coverage, data-intensive services

MALAYSIA’s premier satellite operator MEASAT Global Bhd has successfully launched the MEASAT-3d satellite on June 22, 2022 at 6.03pm (French Guiana Time) from the European Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana (5.03am, June 23 Malaysian time).

The launch was witnessed by a group of senior Malaysian government officials, private sector senior executives and MEASAT business partners.

“Congratulations to MEASAT on the successful launch of MEASAT-3d. With the addition of this cutting-edge satellite, Malaysians will be able to enjoy better connectivity, especially in remote areas,” said Communication and Multimedia Ministry secretary-general Datuk Seri Mohammad Mentek.

“This improved coverage will help the nation achieve our goal of closing the digital connectivity gap between Malaysians in rural and urban areas, as laid out in the Jalinan Digital Negara (JENDELA) plan.

“With stable high-speed internet access available across the country, all Malaysians will be able to access socioeconomic benefits powered by the internet, including participating in e-Commerce and internet-based learning, leaving no-one behind in the digital age.”

Meanwhile, MEASAT chief operating officer Yau Chyong Lim reiterated their commitment to driving Malaysia’s national communications vision forward.

“With MEASAT-3d, we will be better positioned to support the Government’s target to achieve 100% internet access by 2025, by filling the broadband gap in locations without 4G, 5G or fibre coverage,” he added.

“MEASAT-3d will also play an important role in supporting our sister companies. The new satellite will strengthen efforts by Maxis to leverage mobile, fibre, Wi-Fi and satellite communications capabilities to offer a better network experience, even for customers in highly remote locations.

“In addition, with the restoration of unrivalled in-orbit redundancy via MEASAT-3d, Astro will be able to strengthen its expansion capacity, enabling the next wave of 4K and eventually 8K content to every home in Malaysia.”

Over the next few days, the MEASAT-3d satellite will be raised from a geo-transfer orbit into a geostationary orbit at MEASAT’s key 91.5°E video neighbourhood.

The satellite will then undergo testing for approximately one month prior to being brought into commercial operations.

MEASAT-3d will be co-located with MEASAT-3a and MEASAT-3b at the 91.5°E orbital slot to form one of the region’s most powerful and robust orbital locations.

In conjunction with the launch in Kourou, MEASAT held a live broadcast viewing session at the World Trade Centre in Kuala Lumpur on June 23, 2022.

The event saw the attendance of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob and Communications and Multimedia Minister Tan Seri Annuar Musa alongside other government officials, MEASAT’s business partners as well as industry stakeholders. – June 23, 2022

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