Based on both communications and television needs as far as Maxis Communications is concerned, Malaysia's existing satellites, Measat 1 and Measat 2, launched by the Binariang Group, already had their capacities fully utilised.
"So we certainly welcome the availability of further space satellite capacity with the launching of a third satellite," he told reporters after a signing ceremony between Maxis Communications and the Ministry of Defence here.
Measat 1 and Measat 2, with a "footprint" or coverage between India and Hawaii, were successfully put into orbit by the European satellite launch consortium, Arianespace, a few years ago. It had been reported that plans are underway for launching a third satellite by 2001.
However, Grieve was quick to point that the decision to launch Malaysia's third satellite solely depended on satellite operator and manager, Binariang Satellite Systems Sdn Bhd (BSS), its sister company.
Maxis Communications and BSS are the communications and satellite units of Binariang Group.
Grieve said Maxis Communications uses BSS's systems for cellular services, including Measat's services.
"We are now providing several hundred Measat terminals (to fulfill Maxis Communication's telecommunications transmission needs) around the country for a number of customers," he said.
A further satellite capacity upgrade was important as Malaysia was in the midst of expanding its high-speed internet transmission capacity through satellite instead of conventional cable transmissions, he said.
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