Türkiye is moving forward with a new telecommunications satellite that will extend internet, fax, and other communication services to parts of the country currently underserved due to geographic or infrastructure limitations.
Turksat Satellite Communication and Cable TV Operation Company has completed the tender process for the project. The company and French firm Alcatel have signed a turnkey contract covering construction and in-orbit delivery of the satellite, designated Turksat 3A.
The spacecraft will carry 24 Ku-band transponders and will generate roughly 8 kilowatts of power at the start of its operational life. Coverage will extend beyond Türkiye to include Europe and Central Asia, supporting both broadband services and direct television broadcasting.
Turksat 3A is expected to enter service in early 2008, at which point it will take over from the aging Turksat 1C satellite.
Historical summary. TurkishPress restated this wire report, first published in March 2006, in its own words.