[10-03-07 – Satellite Today]  Asia Broadcast Satellite (ABS) has signed a capacity exchange deal with Vietnam Telecom International, the companies announced Oct. 2.

Under the memorandum of agreement, the two companies will exchange capacity on the ABS-1 and Vinasat-1 satellites. The agreement also provides for joint cooperation for telecoms and satellite services between the two companies.

ABS-1, located at 75° East, provides direct-to-home, cable TV distribution, Internet backbone, cellular backhaul, maritime and VSAT services for four continents covering 80 percent of the world’s population, ABS said.

VinaSat-1, is being manufactured by Lockheed Martin Commercial Space Systems and will carry 20 C- and Ku-band transponders to radio, television and telephone transmission services for Vietnam and the Asia-Pacific region. The satellite is scheduled to be launched in March by Arianespace.