ABS-3, formerly ABS-5, was initially named Agila 2 after the Philippine eagle,[2] before being acquired by ABS (formerly known as Asia Broadcast Satellite).

Its control station is located at the Subic Bay Freeport Zone in the Philippines.

ABS-3 was deployed to orbit by a Chinese Long March 3B rocket in Sichuan province on 20 August 1997.

[7] ABS-3's Ku-band coverage zone encompasses Taiwan, portions of mainland China, Vietnam and the Philippines.

ABS-3's C-band covers East, South and Southeast Asia, Western Pacific and Hawaii.