The telecom regulator has received bids from four foreign players for the installation and post-installation support services of the Bangabandhu-1 satellite.

In the end, France's Thales Alenia Space, China Great Wall Industry Corporation, the USA's Orbital ATK, and Canada's MDA handed in documents, the last day for which was yesterday.

Two other players -- the USA's Boeing, said to be a pioneer in this field, and India's Antrix Corporation -- did not make the eventual offer despite showing interest previously.

The winning bidder is likely to be announced by September, according to Md Golam Razzaque, project director of the country's first communication satellite project.

Razzaque said the proposals from the four companies have been forwarded to the technical committee for evaluation.

“This is the biggest technical evaluation in the country's history -- we will be more rigorous with it. So, it may take some time,” said ATM Monirul Alam, head of the technical committee.

The country plans to launch the Bangabandhu-1 satellite on the 119.1 east longitude orbital slot, which was earlier purchased at $28 million from the Russian company Intersputnik, on December 16, 2017.

But Razzaque said the launch might be delayed. The project will cost Tk 2,967 crore, of which Tk 1,652.44 crore will come from foreign loans and the winning bidder has to arrange 85 percent of that sum.

The remaining Tk 1,314.56 crore will come from the government.

At present, the country's demand for a satellite is met by renting bandwidth from different operators, which costs almost $14 million a year, with the amount increasing progressively.

This amount will be saved with the launch of the satellite, and the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission is optimistic that the project will take only seven years to reach the break-even point.

The satellite will narrow the digital divide as it will take broadcasting and telecom services to rural areas, according to project documents.

After the launch, the satellite will be maintained by a company that needs to be formed, Alam said.

BTRC has selected two locations for ground handling: Telecom Staff College in Gazipur and Betbunia Earth Station in Rangamati.

Once launched, Bangabandhu-1 will serve the Saarc countries, Indonesia, the Philippines, as well as countries such as Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, if the frequencies are properly coordinated.