Bangladesh Satellite Company Limited (BSCL) signed an agreement with PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) at its head office on Tuesday.

BSCL Managing Director Shahriar Ahmed Chowdhury and PwC Global Space Practice Leader Luigi Scatteia signed the agreement on behalf of their respective sides.

The Contract Signing Ceremony was titled ‘Determining the Type and Functionalities of Next Satellite (s) (Bangladesh Satellite-2) of Bangladesh’.

Shahriar said the PwC would submit their recommendations within the next 90 days. "Then, we’ll hand it over to the government," he said.

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BSCL chairman Dr Shahjahan Mahmood said they can estimate cost after getting recommendations from the company. “We received 21 consulting companies' applications. Later, we selected PwC considering reasonable cost and good company," he added.

“Our work was delayed seven months due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the satellite can be launched during the tenure of the incumbent government or by 2023,” he added.

Dr Shahjahan said Bangladesh can reduce its dependency on foreign countries after launching the satellite and the country will be self-reliant in technology as well.

Post and Telecommunication Minister Mustafa Jabbar took part in the ceremony virtually. “When we launched Bangabandhu Satellite-1, many people criticised us. Now, the satellite is functioning properly. We’re proud of it,” he said.

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The minister said Bangabandhu Satellite-2 will cover areas fulfill the gap. “Today we signed the agreement with one of the best companies in the world. We’ll complete the rest of our works after getting recommendations from this company,” he added.

Jabbar said the satellite-2 won’t be launched only for commercial purpose. It will cover in the country’s remote areas including char and coastal sites as well. “Our capacity will double after launching the second satellite,” he said.

Chairman of Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) Shyam Sunder Sikder, PWC representative Suparna Roy, Secretary of Post and Telecommunication Md Afzal Hossain, among others, were present at the signing ceremony.