Iran, Russian firm sign $132m satellite deal

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Iran signed a US$132 million deal Sunday with a Russian firm to build and launch a telecommunications satellite, state-run Tehran radio reported.

The satellite will facilitate communications in remote parts of Iran, increase the number of land and mobile telephone lines, boost Internet service, improve radio and television coverage and expand commercial services to the private sector, the broadcast said.

The satellite, called Zohreh, is planned to be launched in 20 months and orbit over the central Asian republic of Kazakhstan, according to the report. It is being built by the Russian Avia Export Company. Zohreh is the Farsi word for Venus.

The satellite will be commissioned following a one-year trial period in orbit, and will remain in service for 15 years.

Iran requires at least a 12-transponder satellite to enhance its communications and Internet systems.

The deal has been under discussion for three years, the radio reported. Iran initiated the Zohreh project in the 1970s but the project was shelved after the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

The country plans to increase the number of land and mobile telephone lines to 75 million from 22 million, and Internet users to 32 million from 5.5 million in the next five years.

Source: Jerusalem Post

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