"BRIsat has brought about a new era in the banking and global financial industry," BRI President Director Asmawi Syam said.
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - BRIsat, the communications satellite of the state-owned lender Bank Rakyat Indonesia (BRI) was finally launched early Sunday Jakarta time by the Arianespace, ushering in new era of digital banking industry.

"BRIsat has brought about a new era in the banking and global financial industry," BRI President Director Asmawi Syam said after the launch of the satellite by the European Aerospace company.

The launch of BRIsat was delayed three times earlier on technical problem in the rocket and unfavorable weather.

Asmawi said BRIsat is the first satellite owned and operated by a bank in the world.

The Rp3.375 trillion satellite would be a pride for Indonesia, and a symbol of important infrastructure facility for BRI to expand its banking operation in the vast archipelago, he said.

BRI Consumer Director Sis Apik Wijayanto said the satellite would make it easier for BRI to diversify banking products especially ones that need latest technology.

Sis said with the satellite it would be easier for the bank to spread access and financial products among all people in all areas in the country.

BRI will gain from greater efficiency saving it from renting satellite service which costs around Rp500 billion a year, he said, adding at least 40 percent of the cost could be saved with the operation of BRIsat.

BRI has sent 53 technicians for training to operate the satellite at a satellite manufacturer Space System Lorel, in the United States, Sis said, adding they have completed the training.

Arianespace said BRIsat would provide technology for banking activities needed by more than 10,600 branch offices of BRI, 236,000 outlets electronic networks and 53 million BRI clients. .

BRIsat was launched to its orbit with Ariane 5 from the French Guyana at 17.30 local time on Saturday or on Sunday at 04.39 western Indonesian time.

The satellite will have its orbit with geostationary at 150.5 degrees east latitude longitude in the space of Papua. (*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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