DHAKA: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday expressed her discontent over the delay launching of country's first satellite named after Bangabandhu.

She also asked the authorities concerned to take necessary steps to launch Bangabandhu Satellite to orbit as soon as possible.

The premier expressed her dissatisfaction while visiting the Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology ministry at the secretariat in city in the morning.

Sheikh Hasina told the officials to work jointly with the planning ministry in this regard.

Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) sources said that the country’s first outpost Bangabandhu Satellite will cost about Tk 3000 crore.

On 29 March in 2012, the BTRC appointed the Space Partnership International (SPI) of the USA to provide the guidance of experts as per requirement for launching a satellite.

With its reference, the BTRC informed officials that the Bangabandhu Satellite Project would be a matter of national pride as well as a source of earning revenues.

According to the BTRC, it will be a regional satellite with 70% to use for revenues from external market like Indonesia and Philippines, India and other SARCC countries.

The remaining 30% capacity will serve Bangladesh and will save 14m USD drain for the TV stations and VSAT networks.

BDST: 1820 HRS, JUL 13, 2014