Singtel and Chunghwa Telecom will co-own ST-2 through a joint venture. The satellite is targeted to be delivered in 2010 and will replace the ST-1 satellite, which will retire in 2011. Singtel and Chunghwa Telecom own approximately 62% and 38% share in the joint venture respectively.

 

The ST-2 satellite will cater to the strong demand for fixed and mobile satellite services and IP-based solutions, such as Singtel’s innovative Office-At-Sea suite of maritime applications.   It will offer significantly greater capacity as well as wider coverage than ST-1 to also include emerging markets such as the Middle East. 

 

Mr Bill Chang, Singtel’s Executive Vice President of Business, said: “ST-2 is an important part of Singtel’s vision to transform the way our customers live and work.   It enhances our ability to offer businesses, such as shipping companies and Direct-To-Home (DTH) operators, a one-stop Infocomm Technology (ICT) experience that will empower them to stay ahead of the competition. Even before its launch, more than half of ST-2’s capacity has been signed-up by regional customers.”

 

Singtel, together with its wholly owned subsidiary Optus, is Asia’s leading satellite operator outside of Japan, with over 35 years experience.   It is an award-winning provider of fixed and mobile satellite services with its fleet of six satellites and access to another 30 satellites worldwide.  In Singapore, Singtel has three satellite earth stations providing direct transmissions to over 80 countries.