180 space channels available to Egyptian, Arab viewers
Egypt, Politics, 2/16/2000

Minister of Information Safwat al-Sherif said Tuesday that by entering the age of satellites, Egypt takes long technological strides on the thresholds of the new century.

"Egypt has moved into the new century at a time when it possesses the tools of the present and future with confidence in its media capabilities which have been realized under the rule of President Hosni Mubarak in which the Egyptian media lives its most brilliant age compatible with Egypt's civilization, political weight and its pioneering role in the area," Sherif added.

Sherif said Egypt has become in the forefront of Arab and African countries in the field satellites, adding that Egypt is no. 60 in the world space club.

"Egypt was the first country to launch a communications satellite in accordance with world technology under the digital system," he expounded.

"Egypt launches its second satellite into space and the first and second satellites will form the first generation of Egyptian satellites. Egypt also enters the field of space technology and satellites as a pioneering country. Egypt asserts its pioneering role, day after day, in order to maintain the Egyptian and Arab identity," the Minister said.

He stressed that Egypt has been able, through its media system, to strike a balance between international and local needs in the age of space, the Internet culture, the information speedway, the age of open skies and cultural globalization.

Sherif said that attention was given to regional media in parallel with entering the future. "It was necessary to provide the tools of dialogue and interaction with cultures while, at the same time, maintaining the national spirit and our influential role in Arab, African and Islamic circles which are susceptible to attempts of cultural invasion as Egyptian and Arab viewers receive a flood of open space channels which influence Arab culture and identity," added Sherif.

"Looking at the future in the media field, Egypt set up giant projects, foremost among which is the project of the launching of the Egyptian satellite," Sherif further said.

"The dream became a reality when President Hosni Mubarak signed an historic document assigning to Egyptian media the task of taking measures to enter the age of satellites and manufacture and launch the first generation of Egyptian satellites so that Egypt may possess the capabilities of the future," Sherif said.

Sherif added that when the second Egyptian satellite Nilesat 102 is launched in July it will carry to Egyptian and Arab viewers new, strong and distinguished Egyptian, Arab and foreign channels capable of facing competition. "Up till now, 40 per cent of the channels of Nilesat 102 have been leased," he said.

"Egypt will have, through satellite 101 and satellite 102, a total of 24 transponders transmitting 180 space television channels which will be available to the Egyptian and Arab viewers to choose from. They will satisfy all tastes and ages within the framework of respecting customs, traditions and values in our societies," added Sherif.

Sherif explained that after all the channels of Nilesat 101 had been leased, it was necessary to take a decision to manufacture and launch a new satellite to provide new channels.

"Nilesat 102 will have reserve channels in support of the leased channels," the Minister said.

Sherif added that the technology under which Egyptian satellites have been manufactured makes it possible to move, automatically, to the reserve channels.

Previous Stories:
  Major media projects into new horizons in 2000   (2/7/2000)
  Second Egyptian satellite to be launched in July   (2/2/2000)
  Three protocols signed to work in media free zone   (2/1/2000)

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