Asia Satellite Telecommunications Company Limited (AsiaSat) was formed in 1988 as Asia's first privately owned regional satellite operator. Since the launch of its first satellite, AsiaSat 1, on 7 April 1990, the company has been dedicated to providing high quality satellite services in the Asia-Pacific region. AsiaSat's second satellite, AsiaSat 2, was launched by Long March 2E rocket in November 1995 and commenced commercial operation in January 1996. AsiaSat 2, located at 100.5 degrees East, is one of the most powerful satellites ever launched for Asia, covering 53 countries and regions, and 66 per cent of the world's population. AsiaSat 3S, the third satellite of the company, was launched by Proton D-1-e rocket in March 1999 and started commercial service on 8 May 1999. It replaced AsiaSat 1 at the orbital location of 105.5 degrees East. AsiaSat 3S has a C-band footprint similar to that of AsiaSat 2, as well as two Ku-band fixed beams covering East and South Asia, and an in-orbit steerable Ku beam now positioned over Australia. On 11 April 2003, AsiaSat's latest satellite, AsiaSat 4, was launched by an Atlas IIIB rocket from Cape Canaveral, Florida, US. AsiaSat 4, a Boeing 601 HP satellite, is positioned at the orbital location of 122 degrees East. It has 28 linearised C-band and 20 Ku-band transponders, with 16 operating in the Fixed Satellite Service (FSS) and four operating in Broadcast Satellite Service (BSS) frequency band. AsiaSat 4 offers extensive C-band coverage across the Asia- Pacific region and focused Ku-band beams for Australasia, East Asia and Hong Kong.
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