Bangkok: Construction of the Sirindhorn Satellite Station in Ubon Ratchathani Province has reached completion, setting the stage for the National Telecom Public Company Limited (NT) to launch the SNP Gateway service for low-orbit (LEO) satellites using the OneWeb satellite on March 25, 2025.
According to Thai News Agency, this development follows the 11th NBTC meeting held on May 27, 2024, which considered and approved the use of foreign satellite channels to provide domestic services via the OneWeb satellite network. The meeting also granted permissions for the addition of telecommunications services and the use of radio frequencies, radio communication stations, and equipment by National Telecom Public Company Limited. These permissions are set to last for a period of five years.
The Sirindhorn Satellite Station, a joint venture between Eutelsat-OneWeb and NT, was constructed with an investment exceeding 25 million US dollars (900 million baht). The station boasts a data transmission speed of up to 10 Gigabits per second, covering Southeast Asia and East Asia, and has the capability to connect with Gateways in other regions to facilitate seamless international communication.
In preparation for the satellite station's operational launch, Pol. Gen. Natthorn Phueasunthon, NBTC's legal affairs officer and Chairman of the subcommittee on amending telecommunications laws, along with his team, visited the site on March 20-21, 2025. Mr. Thanet Chalermwat, Assistant Managing Director of Satellite and Network Operations Group at NT, guided the tour, highlighting the station's capabilities before its official opening.
The visit aimed to explore effective supervision methods for low-orbit satellite communication services and to devise strategies for preventing technological crimes, such as those perpetrated by call center gangs, which may evolve with advancements in communication technology.