MOSCOW. Feb 13 (Interfax-AVN) - Russia has begun to build a group of digital TV broadcasting satellites to provide for digital TV in Russia, FGUP Kosmicheskaya Svyaz Director General Alexei Ostapchuk told Interfax on Friday.
"Two satellites [Express AM-44 and Express MD-1] that we recently launched into orbit are the first step in terms of the state program for digital TV and radio broadcasting in Russia," he said.
According to Ostapchuk, the program for introduction of digital TV in Russia will be implemented on time.
These satellites will be commissioned by spring, he said.
Currently, FGUP Kosmicheskaya Svyaz uses six spacecrafts Express AM, one apparatus Express MD, three apparatuses Express A, as well as two TV broadcasting apparatuses Bonum 1 and W-4.
The ground infrastructure consists of six centers of space communications and a technological center at Shabolovka. They are deployed all over Russia from the Moscow region to Khabarovsk. By using these centers, FGUP Kosmicheskaya Svyaz controls the orbital group of satellites and renders additional services: TV broadcasting, offering channels for satellite communication.