Russia to invest Rbl38 bln in upgrading its communication satellites by 2015

MOSCOW, January 9 (Itar-Tass) -- Russia will invest 38 billion roubles
in the upgrading its communication satellites by 2015.
The state and technical possibilities of the satellites cannot fully
meet the growing demand for space communication services for state needs,
the development of digital television, the implementation of priority
national projects and stable operation of existing satellite communication
networks, Minister of Communications Igor Shchegolev said.
"Just recently we experienced problems with the express-AM satellite,"
he said. "This indicates that our level of work leaves much to be desired
and testifies to a lack of proper control."
"The current financial situation does not allow the Space
Communications company to effectively manage the satellites in the form of
private-public partnership, the minister added.
He said the Federal Communications Agency and Space Communications had
submitted proposals regarding the development of Russia's space
communications assets.
Shchegolev urged the governmental commission on federal communications
and information technologies to examine Space Communications' tariff
policy in respect of the satellites in order to work out measures that
will enhance competitive advantages for Russian and foreign satellite
operators and to create conditions for maintaining and developing Russian
space assets using internal resources and minimum budget appropriations.
-0-zak/