[Satellite Today 04-14-09] The Chinese government has merged China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) with China Satellite Communications Corp. (China Satcom), CASC announced April 10.
    China Satcom, with total assets worth 6.6 billion yuan ($965 million), will operate as a wholly owned subsidiary of CASC.
    According to CASC, the merger was planned by the Chinese government in an effort to reform the country’s telecommunications industry. The merger will extend CASC’s researching and manufacturing services to include operating satellite-based telecommunications.
    CASC plans to launch seven satellites for broadcast and mobile communications purposes in the next five years.
    Separately, China Satcom said its telecommunication operations will be taken over by China Telecom, a major telecom service in China, after the merger is completed with CASC.
    China Telecom is among three telecom services left in China, including China Mobile and China Unicom.