14:42, May 01, 2011
Myanmar has made a step forward in the development of satellite communication by setting up a central committee and a working committee for launching satellite.The five-member central committee is headed by the union minister of communications, posts and telegraphs, while the seven- member working committee is led by the director of communications of the defense ministry.
The central committee for launching satellite is to lay down policies for the launch of state-operated satellites, approve satellite-launching memorandums of understanding and carry out tasks aimed at obtaining space-related technology.
As part of a move to seek cooperation with foreign counterparts on the aspects, Myanmar and Thailand signed a memorandum of understanding in Nay Pyi Taw early this week. A joint technical committee also met and touched on promotion of cooperation in the telecommunication sector through the use of satellite.
In fact, the Thaicom Public Company has made discussions with the Myanmar telecommunication authorities on the satellite services and technological cooperation over the last three days. Myanmar is another country to receive Thaicom services after Cambodia.
On March 31, 2010, Myanmar International TV (MITV), which is MRTV-3 channel, began airing documentaries and current affairs on Myanmar in English language round the clock through some satellites -- Thaicom-5 (Asia), Hot Bird-8 (Europe) , Galaxy-19 ( North America), Apstar-V (Asia Beam)), and Optus D2 (NANAZ Beam).
MITV beams reach North America, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, China, India and Indochina regions and arrangements have been made for its round-the-clock programs to cover the whole world.
The parent MRTV also airs the channel for domestic audience for two hours every morning.
Meanwhile, the MRTV is making preparation to launch a new channel, Channel 9, which comprise programs dealing with knowledge and entertainment sectors.
To enable its airing reach far-flung areas in the country, the MRTV is also making efforts to add more relay stations regionwise, projecting to build 10 such stations annually.
Since 2001, digital technology has been introduced for the airing to enable receiving of the TV program from any region in the country.
According to statistics, a total of 217 MRTV relay stations have been launched countrywide.
MRTV was first launched in June 1980 with four channels including Myanmar and English languages telecasting news, education and entertainment programs and for many years, its main broadcast centered in Yangon.
In late 2007, the main broadcasting station moved to Naypyidaw and the Yangon Station now mostly relays Nay Pyi Taw Station's programs.
Meanwhile, the military-run Myawaddy TV, which is next to MRTV, started telecasting in March 1995 and has morning and evening services at present.
In cooperation with China Central Television (CCTV), Cable Networks News (CNN) and the Japan Broadcasting Corporation (NHK), there are also satellite news available with the MRTV.
Source: Xinhua
