Vietnam’s first satellite, VINASAT-1, was launched in April 2008.

Vietnam Posts and Telecommunication Group (VNPT) plans to invest between US$290-350 million in the country’s second satellite, which it anticipates launching by 2012, the state-owned entity says on its website.

For now, VNPT is doing a feasibility study of the technology and market research for the satellite, and meeting with foreign companies to discuss every aspect of the project.

Whether to buy or rent a satellite has yet to be decided.

VINASAT-2 will be positioned at 107 degrees east when it goes into orbit.

It is one of three satellite orbits that the Radio Frequency Directorate of the Ministry of Information and Communications managed to register with the International Telecommunication Union last year.

Vietnam’s first satellite, VINASAT-1, was launched in April 2008 to improve telecommunication services, internet connection and TV reception in the country’s remotest areas.

The $200 million satellite’s footprint extends over Southeast and East Asia, India and Hawaii.

VINASAT-1, built by the US’s Lockheed Martin, is expected to have a lifespan of between 15 and 20 years.

Reported by Thanh Nguyen