Measat Satellite Systems has taken control of the Measat-3 satellite following deployment of the satellite’s reflectors and solar arrays, the company announced Dec. 28.

Measat’s Teleport and Broadcast Centre in Cyberjaya, Malaysia, will manage the satellite during the final stage of the commissioning, which involves checkout of the control and payload systems. The satellite, launched in December, was built by Boeing Satellite Systems International Inc. and is expected to begin operations before the end of January.

Measat-3 will provide C-band coverage to more than 100 countries as well as direct-to-home-quality Ku-band coverage to more than 160 million TV households in Malaysia, Indonesia and South Asia from an orbital slot at 91.5 degrees East.