Thaicom orders a OneSat from Airbus. Photo: Airbus

Thaicom has ordered a new software-defined satellite from Airbus, based on the OneSat product line. This is Thaicom’s first flexible satellite and will give the operator the ability to adapt coverage, frequency, and capacity. 

Airbus will design and manufacture the satellite, and also provide ground control segment components. The satellite is planned for delivery in 2027. Thaicom and Airbus announced the deal Monday, terms were not disclosed. 

The Ku-band satellite will extend connectivity over the Asia-Pacific region in its position at 119.5 degrees East. Thaicom said it will give the option for partner operators to share payload capacity with a lower cost. 

Eutelsat is a partner on the satellite and has committed to half of the satellite’s capacity, Thaicom CEO Patompob (Nile) Suwansiri confirmed Monday at World Satellite Business Week. Thaicom recently announced one of its subsidiaries has an agreement with Eutelsat to lease half the capacity on a new software-defined satellite, but at the time the manufacturer was not named. 

Suwansiri said during a WSBW panel that he looks forward to more collaboration with Eutelsat, beyond the satellite.

 “[The satellite] will allow flexibility and instant reconfiguration to adapt dynamically to the service areas and will provide a significant confidence boost for Thaicom’s valued customers and partners throughout Asia Pacific,” Suwansiri said in the news release. “This is a significant milestone for Thaicom as we forge ahead to further grow our broadband satellite business in the region.”

For Airbus, it is the ninth order in the manufacturer’s software-defined OneSat product line. Intelsat, Optus, and Sky Perfect JSAT are other customers.