Africa-Press – Angola. The minister of Telecommunications, Information Technologies and Social Communication, Mário Oliveira, assured yesterday in Luanda, at the opening of the World Space Week, that the Angosat-2 satellite will be launched on the 12th of this month.
The official said that Angosat-2 is already in the area of the satellite launch pad. He mentioned, by the way, that the Executive intends to reduce the digital divide of the country and the continent, with relevance in the national space strategy, which will allow taking telecommunications services to the most remote areas, at competitive prices.
“Angosat-2 will cover the entire African continent and part of Europe, also constituting a source of revenue for the Angolan State”, he highlighted.
Minister Mário Oliveira said that, with the launch of Angosat-2, other African countries will also be assisted by services in the field of space technology, especially in the area of telecommunications. “We have contacts with African countries, particularly those in our region, and we have already received the manifestation of some interested in using the services of Angosat-2”, he stressed.
He added that contacts are being made within the scope of an interaction policy, taking into account the fact that Angola is leading the SADC satellite sharing project, and, in that context, work is being carried out to present Angosat-2 to the countries Of region.
Regarding the costs of accessing services, the Minister of Telecommunications, Information Technologies and Social Communication, Mário Oliveira, mentioned that it is necessary, above all, to look at the benefits that Angosat-2 will bring to the country, namely the expansion of telecommunications, telemedicine and teleworking, activities supported by the Internet.
He added that, with the acquisition of the satellite, prices will be fair and compatible with the needs of the national market. The minister mentioned, by way of example, that the work carried out by the Management Office of the National Space Program (GGPEN) allowed the implementation of the earth observation program, using satellite images to monitor oil spills and ships, agricultural productivity in the country and territorial reorganization projects.
He highlighted that the Government has, after a three-year joint work carried out by the American Space Agency (NASA), MIT and GGPEN, the design of a decision support and information system to mitigate the effects of the drought on the South of the country.
The minister said that Angola came out of an unknown country, in the space sector, and today occupies a firm position among emerging countries in the world and on the continent. “Right now, the country ranks among the eight emerging states in the continent’s space area, which have made the most progress in this sector”, he said.
For More News And Analysis About Angola Follow Africa-Press
