Three foreign firms submit bids to build Vietnam's first telecom satellite
HANOI - Three foreign firms have submitted bids to build Vietnam's first telecommunications satellite, valued at $197 million, by mid-2008, an industry official said Thursday. France's Alenia Space, Alcatel SA's satellite systems arm, Lockheed Martin Corp. of the United States and Japan's Sumitomo Corp. have joined the tender offered Monday by Vietnam Post & Telecommunication, or VNPT.
"VNPT will need about 180 days to consider their bids," a VNPT official said under condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the press.
Vietnam plans to use the satellite -- called Vinasat -- to cover the entire country with television and telecommunication services by 2010, the official added. Further details weren't available.
Last year, Prime Minister Phan Van Khai approved a plan to build the country's first telecommunications satellite project at a cost of $231 million, which includes about $34 million for ground facilities.
The Vinasat project is split into three parts, the third of which is to build the satellite. VNPT is also considering two other bids for ground facilities submitted by foreign firms but the official refused to name the companies.
He said VNPT will sign the first contract for the ground facility later this month, but details on the work and funding weren't available.
The government expects the launch of its satellite will help save tens of millions of dollars each year, which is paid by state-owned firms to foreign satellite operators, state media said Thursday.
By Nguyen Pham Muoi - The Associated Press - February 16, 2006.
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