HONG Kong-based APT Satellite Co has been granted a licence to set up a satellite earth station at the Tai Po Industrial Estate.
Approval for the station, which will control and monitor its satellite APSTAR-1, was given yesterday by the Executive Council.
The $39 million station is part of the company's total $2.3 billion investment in the project. The satellite is expected to be launched tomorrow by China Great Wall Industry Corp at Xichang, Sichuan province.
A consortium of international broadcasters, including TVB, has booked several lines on the satellite.
APSTAR-1 can reach Japan, Korea, China, Taiwan and Southeast Asia.
A second satellite, APSTAR-2, which will be able to reach Europe and Australia, is expected to be launched late this year.
