In Russia, the relevant ministry suggests replacing foreign satellites by the domestic ones.
According to information made public by the RNS news agency, the Ministry of Communications addressed a written request to the telecom companies using foreign communications vehicles in their operation, to think of switching to the Russian satellites.
The letter signed by Maxim Mysev, Head of Department responsible for infrastructure projects, was sent to the companies on March, 28 this year. It calls for sending information by April 8 on the feasibility of moving broadcasts from foreign communications satellites to the Russian ones and estimated deadlines.
Mr. Mysev stated to the RNS news agency that some companies had already sent the requested information. From its sources the agency learned that the letter was sent to all major satellite operators. The purpose of this campaign is to examine the need for renewing the State Commission’s licenses for radio frequencies issued in 2010 and 2012.
However, the market players, interviewed by the RNS agency, can not see today any alternative to foreign satellites, because the Russian space vehicles do not cover the entire country with their signal. A particularly difficult situation is seen with the satellite coverage of the European Russia.
The RNS’s question about the receipt of above letter was answered negatively by the largest satellite companies like “Tricolor TV” and “Orion”. The AltegroSky and “RuSat” declined to comment on this information.
The Federal State Unitary Enterprise “Satellite Communications”, in turn, has already announced its willingness to replace foreign communications satellites by space vehicles of its own design.