Hanoi Times – Vietnam has entered into negotiations to secure a position in orbit for its second satellite, Vinasat 2, which is scheduled to be operational in the next seven to eight years, said Deputy Minister of Information and Telecommunications Tran Duc Lai.

Mr Lai added that any contractor that meets the required conditions for advanced technology and long-term funding will be allowed to bid for Vietnam’s second satellite project.

According to Pham Ba Thuoc, Deputy General Director of the Vietnam Post and Telecommunications Group (VNPT), the satellite control station based in Que Duong in the northern province of Ha Tay received first signals from Vinasat 1 just o­ne hour it was successfully launched o­n April 19.

Vinasat 1 is controlled from a primary station in Ha Tay and a backup station in the southern province of Binh Duong. Its related services will come o­n line as of June 1, 2008.