Attention will focus on China Telecom Broadcast Satellite Co. Ltd., China Eastern Telecommunications Co. Ltd., and Xinno Satellite Telecommunications Co. Ltd. in the third quarter when they initiate broadband network operations in 15 cities.

In addition, there will be 23 companies providing inter-province paging services and 11 companies providing inter-province telephone information services along with expanding business in VSAT services.

Broadband satellite systems are expected to slash the cost for data, internet and IP networks by 2002 when dedicated systems are fully operational, according to some industry analysts.

“Overall, we project 98.2 percent annual revenue growth in this sector, with projected revenues reaching $30 billion annually,” said Tom Watts, satellite analyst with Merrill Lynch.