Measat Signs Capacity Deal With Astro

Astro All Asia Networks, the leading pay-TV operator in Malaysia, will lease Ku-band capacity from Measat, the satellite operator announced July 26.

Measat will provide Astro with use of up to 13 Ku-band transponders, more than one quarter of the Measat-3 satellite’s communication capacity. The deal, which extends throughout the satellite’s operational life, is valued at $381 million.

The capacity will be used to support Astro’s efforts to expand its services throughout Malaysia, Indonesia and other parts of Asia, Paul Brown-Kenyon, Measat’s COO, said. Astro recently secured shareholder approval to invest $166 million in a joint venture with India’s Sun Group to provide satellite direct-to-home services in India before the end of the year.