Global satellite industry unites as Myanmar edges closer to “Satellite Sovereignty”

Myanmar’s satellite market is receiving overwhelming support from global satellite operators, manufacturers and launch providers

27 October 2015 – Pending reconfirmation of a new broadcasting law and further commitments to the development of Myanmar’s infrastructure, the global satellite industry is gearing up again to discuss the industry’s hot topics as the highly successful Myanmar Satellite Forum returns for its second year (18 November at Myanmar Event Park, Yangon).

Building on the success of 2014, this year’s forum is already proving to be quite the global congregation as exhibitors from some of the world’s leading telecommunications regions including Europe, Asia and North America unite to develop influential ideas, relationships and partnerships for the future of Myanmar communications.

Mario Querner, VP Asia at Newtec, is among the line-up of experts due to attend the forum and will take part in a panel titled ‘Myanmar’s Connectivity Rollout, Broadband offering opportunity to make rapid advances in social and economic development.’

“As the satellite industry evolves, operators and service providers are facing new challenges and preparing for the future is becoming increasingly difficult,” said Querner. “As a result, choosing flexible, scalable and efficient technologies which reduce OPEX and CAPEX is becoming increasingly important.”

The forum will showcase Myanmar’s ambitions to gain its own satellites and progress the general quality of telecoms within the country. ‘Myanmar’s Connectivity Rollout’ is a hot topic at this year’s event and following recent announcements it is sure to stimulate the debate further. With broadband offering an opportunity to make rapid advances in social and economic development, Myanmar could develop as one of Asia’s strongest emerging markets.

“Myanmar is a country where satellite communications are playing an increasingly important role, helping to extend the reach and accelerate the development of the country. The Myanmar Satellite Forum is a groundbreaking platform for the key stakeholders in the satellite industry and in Myanmar’s economy to join together to develop ideas for the future of Myanmar’s communications,” said Pierre-Jean Beylier, CEO of SpeedCast.

Strategies for developing broadcast services and new media platforms will also play a key role in this year’s agenda along with a focus on delivering communication services to enable the development of Myanmar’s Enterprise Sector.

Myanmar is expected to launch its own satellite within five years to protect its spatial sovereignty. In addition to supporting mobile network backhaul, satellite services will be crucial for supporting key sectors: Defence, education, health, banking, mining and agriculture. Satellite is key for the communications infrastructure within Myanmar and with YTP and KBZ expected to launch a range of satellite services towards the end of 2015, it remains to be a high priority for the Myanmar Government and satellite industry experts alike.

This year’s event is set to be even more successful, as it partners with more than 20 international satellite industry companies such as platinum sponsors AsiaSat, ABS and SpeedCast, who will all have representative speakers at this year’s forum.

Other sponsors of the event include O3b Networks, Hughes, Newtec, Eutelsat, Advantech Wireless, MHI Launch Services, iDirect, Gilat, SES, SAT Consult and Arianespace.

The Satellite Forum runs as part of Communicast Myanmar 2015, held in Yangon 17th – 19th November. For more information, please visit http://myanmarsatelliteforum.com/.