KUALA LUMPUR, July 3 — Astro Malaysia Holdings Bhd plans to invest up to RM500 million for the utilisation of transponder capacity on the Measat-3c (M3c) satellite.

Chief Executive Officer Datuk Rohana Rozhan said the group would utilise six Ku-band transponders on the M3c satellite in tranches over a period of 15 years.

The M3c satellite is expected to launch by September 2015.

“Every year we will spend around US$2 million for one transponder for 15 years, starting from the commencement date,” she told a media briefing after the company’s annual general meeting and extraordinary general meeting (EGM) here today.

At the EGM, the group received the shareholders’ approval for the utilisation of the M3c transponder.

Rohana said the investment would be funded internally.

The additional transponders on the M3c satellite are expected to expand the group’s broadcasting capacity to support the transmission of additional high definition channels to its subscribers.

Currently, Astro has eighteen M3 and M3a transponders with 179 channels which has almost reached full capacity.

Next year, it will start utilising 18 M3b transponders in three phases over a period of two years.

Upon completion of the utilisation of M3c transponders, Astro will have up to 161 standard definition channels and 114 high-definition channels in the future.

“The launching of the new channels will allow us to widen and deepen our relationship with our customers, existing as well as new ones,” said Rohana.

Asked on the impact of the proposed implementation of the Goods and Services Tax, Rohana said it might increase the number of its subscribers depending on the rate to be imposed.

“If the rate to be impose is less than current Government Service Tax of six per cent, maybe it would invite more people to subscribe to our service,” she added. — Bernama