Thailand’s state-owned National Telecom (NT) has announced it will discontinue satellite internet services provided via Thaicom 4, effective June 30, 2026. This move aligns with Thaicom’s ongoing preparations to retire the 21-year-old satellite, marking a significant shift in the region’s satellite internet landscape. The decision was communicated through NT’s official NT Satellite channel.
Core Service Termination Details and Future Plans
According to a report by The Nation newspaper, National Telecom will terminate the Thaicom 4 service at 11:59 PM on June 30, 2026. Despite this cessation, NT confirmed it will continue to provide satellite internet offerings through its nexConnect service, which was launched last year in collaboration with Eutelsat OneWeb. Additionally, the company will maintain its existing VSAT services via Globalsat, ensuring continuity for its customer base with alternative solutions.
Thaicom 4’s Retirement and Replacement Challenges
Thaicom 4, originally launched in 2005 as IPSTAR 1, is slated to drift out of its geostationary orbital position at 119.5 degrees East after July 31, 2026. Its impending retirement necessitates a replacement, with Thaicom’s subsidiary, Space Tech Innovation Limited (STI), having contracted satellite startup Astranis in March 2024 to supply Thaicom 9. This new satellite was intended to serve as a direct successor. However, recent media reports in April indicate that Astranis has encountered manufacturing issues, leading to delays in delivery.
Astranis has yet to release an updated launch schedule for Thaicom 9. Thaicom has informed the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) that the launch is now unlikely to occur until at least 2027. To bridge this gap and maintain connectivity for existing Thaicom 4 customers, Thaicom secured regulatory clearance from the NBTC in April to temporarily lease capacity from KT Sat. This temporary measure aims to ensure uninterrupted service while awaiting the delayed delivery of Thaicom 9.
The phasing out of Thaicom 4 and the subsequent delays in its replacement highlight the complexities of maintaining satellite infrastructure. The reliance on a temporary lease from KT Sat underscores the immediate challenge of service continuity. Moving forward, stakeholders will be closely monitoring Astranis for an updated launch timeline for Thaicom 9 and observing how National Telecom’s diversified satellite offerings, particularly its LEO-based nexConnect service, evolve to meet regional demand. The transition also signals a broader industry shift towards newer satellite technologies.
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