Looks like the recent channel disruption that was experienced by some Astro customers out there will continue for quite some time. As it turns out, the MEASAT-3 satellite is not yet functioning at the optimal level.
This is despite the statement released by MCMC on 24 June which said that MEASAT has managed to bring the satellite under its control on 24 June. The company has also reiterated this once again through a separate press release that was published on its website on 26 June [pdf] although in the same statement, MEASAT has also noted that some customers may continue to experience intermittent disruption for the next few days.
In another update which was published earlier today [pdf], MEASAT said that it needs more time to finish the stabilisation process. At the same time, Astro has acknowledged the issue faced by MEASAT-3 and has since moved some of its channels to other MEASAT satellites.
However, the pay-TV operator also noted that customers in high-rise buildings or those that have opted for custom installation in their home such as a Multiroom setup may still not be able to access certain channels. Not surprisingly, some customers have been asking for compensation due to the prolonged disruption on their Astro service although what Astro has offered so far is only two weeks of access for selected channels from 1 to 14 July.
MEASAT-3 was originally launched in December 2006 and is reaching its end-of-life very soon since the satellite is said to have an operational lifetime of 15 years. Astro is currently using 12 transponders on the satellite although the company will be not using them anymore once MEASAT-3d goes operational in 2022.
(Source: MEASAT – [pdf], Astro. Image: Boeing, Google Maps.)
