Ethiopia’s new satellite to ensure safety, cut broadcasters expense

BY ESSEYE MENGISTE

ADDIS ABABA- In addition to availing a safe satellite transponder service, Ethiopia’s new Remote Sensing Satellite (ETRSS-1) will cut broadcasters expenditure by up to 50 percent, authority said. Ethiopia has recently received its first satellite from China.

Ethiopian Broadcast Authority Director General Dr. Getachew Dinku said that the study was launched seven months ago by discussing with stakeholders. And now more than 60 broadcasters have joined the satellite market or services. He said it helps to address the existing challenges such as financial and service qualities.

Dr. Endeshaw W/Michael Manager of the Ethiopian Broadcasters Sector Association said for his part many media outlets have entered the industry, but they have suffered bankruptcy and financial crisis. The satellite study was designed to address this problem. The Ethiopian Broadcasters are playing in this industry uncompetitive environment. This means that Ethiopia is not working on its own market.

Currently Ethiopian Broadcasters are using 180 megabytes for which they pay about USD 10 million per year per megabyte. But the newly launched satellite can cut this cost by up to 50 percent further enabling broadcasters to divert their budget to quality contents.

Ethiopian Space Science and Technology Institute Director General Abdisa Yilma said Ethiopia’s current coverage of satellite services is low, especially in the southern part of the country. The high cost of bridges for satellites and access to safe and secure services has been identified as a problem.

Therefore, in order to better protect the interests of Ethiopia, it is necessary to choose satellite to get this transponder service. Currently, the satellite selected through the study is 57 degrees east. While Ethiopia will have its own communication satellite located at 58.3 degrees east.

The Ethiopian Herald December 16/2020

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