Ministry Communications & IT Officially Opens Afghan Sat 1

Afghanistan’s first satellite (Afghan Sat 1) officially inaugurated by first vice president of Islamic Republic of Afghanistan H. E. Mohammad Yunus Qanooni and Minister of Communications and Information Technology H. E. Amirzai Sangin in a ceremony officially held in Kabul Serena Hotel on Saturday May 10, 2014.

The event was also attended by the state profiles, members of Parliament and representatives of mass media.

At the beginning minister Amirzai Sangin spoke about the rapid growth of telecommunication and IT in Afghanistan and said: opening of Afghani Sat 1 is a vital and significant step towards progress and development of the country. He mentioned that Afghanistan has achieved remarkable advances in all aspects; and especially in communications and IT. The Minister stated that currently 90% of the population use mobile services and internet services are provided in 20 provinces through 3G technology and is rapidly expanding. He added that the use of mobile and IT today is one of the basic needs in the life of the people and it plays great role in good governance, social, economic, cultural and other fields.

Minister Sangin said that: the growth of electric media during last decade is unprecedented; besides the internet pages, Social Media such as YouTube, Facebook and Tweeter, there are 89 televisions and 220 radios throughout the country. He expressed that: to improve and expand TV broadcasting MCIT has done two major initiatives, converting analog TV system into digital and other broadcasting through satellite Afghan Sat 1. He explained that: Afghan satellite (Afghani sat 1) has 12 transponder capacity which will meet our current needs. He added Afghan Sat 1 has seven years life and according to the contract with Eutelsat Company after that we will have another satellite named Afghan Sat Two instead. 

After that the first vice president H. E. Mohammad Yunus Qanooni praising the achievements of MCIT and said that: this satellite really is great and unprecedented achievement; and congratulated the people of Afghanistan, MCIT and its hard working stuff. H.E said that this is not the first initiative, but during the past twelve years MCIT reached remarkable achievements in the field of IT, internet and communications.

Then the deputy culture and information minister Ghulam Nabi Farahi said: the opening of this satellite is great achievement and appreciated MCIT for this tangible service.