UPDATE 1-Lockheed wins Vietnam's $168 mln satellite deal http://today.reuters.com/business/newsArticle.aspx?type=basicIndustries&storyID=nHAN315008
Friday 12 May 2006
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HANOI, May 12 (Reuters) - Lockheed Martin Corp. (LMT.N: Quote, Profile, Research) won a $168 million contract from the Vietnamese government to build and launch the country's first telecommunications satellite, state media reported on Friday.
The U.S. firm, which beat Alcatel (CGEP.PA: Quote, Profile, Research) of France and Japan's Sumitomo Corp. (8053.T: Quote, Profile, Research) in a tender this week, is scheduled to sign the contract with the state-run Vietnam Posts and Telecommunication Corp on Friday, the Tuoi Tre newspaper reported.
The government has ordered the satellite to be launched on May 23, 2008, three years later than originally planned following extended negotiations on orbital slots.
Industry experts said the satellite, named Vinasat, would help Vietnam save the costs of leasing satellite space and help expand telecoms services and deliver television programs to remote areas.
The satellite is projected to have a 15-year lifespan, up to 30 transponders, each carrying up to six television channels or 500 telephone channels.
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