The Year of the Chinese Satellite in Venezuela

Caracas, Jan 2 (Prensa Latina) Although no date has been set yet, 2008
will be The Year of the Satellite in Venezuela, when the "Simon
Bolivar" satellite, currently under construction in China, will be
launched.

According to predictions, the satellite must be put into orbit and
operational during the second semester of 2008, and will be functioning
for 15 years to guarantee communications in the country.

Venezuelan authorities plan to put into place an 11,800-mile fiber
optic network by 2010. Preparations to achieve that goal began in 2007,
when the Compaia Anonima Nacional Telefonos de Venezuela (CANTV) was
nationalized.

Other measures will include the interconnection of the fiber optic
networks of CANTV, Petroleos de Venezuela, Electricidad de Caracas,
Compaia Anonima de Administracin y Fomento Electrico, Electricidad
del Caroni and Telecom Venezuela.

That network will be 8,700 miles long by 2008 or 2009. At the same
time, the National Telecommunications Commission will issue an
invitation to tender for another 3,100 miles, as part of a project that
is scheduled for completion in 2010.

Some 90 Venezuelan professionals and technicians trained in China are
already working on the satellite project.

Venezuelan authorities will build their own satellites to improve
telecommunications, medicine, education, and communications among
public institutions, production centers, social organizations and
communities.

The "Simon Bolivar" satellite, which will cost 240 million dollars,
will be launched from China after the Olympic Games, and Venezuela will
have total autonomy to operate it.

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PL-1

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