The office of the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) is working closely with the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society (DES) to prepare for the Thaicom 4 satellite‘s 2024 lifespan expiry at 119.5° East orbit.
Dr Sarana Boonbaichaiyapruck, NBTC board chair, held talks with outgoing DES Minister Chaiwut Thanakamanusorn on joint responsibilities. Thaicom previously managed both Thaicom 4 broadband and Thaicom 6 broadcasting satellites under a ministry concession.
The Thaicom 4 and Thaicom 6 satellites operate in the 119.5° East and 78.5° East orbital slots, respectively. The latter’s engineering lifespan will come to an end in 2029. In September 2021, following the conclusion of Thaicom’s 30-year concession, the ministry took over the ownership and related assets of the two satellites.
