Sony Corp. plans to provide content designed for Japan's next-generation communications satellite digital broadcasting system to be launched next summer, Sony officials said Thursday.

Sony will produce a wide range of digital content, from movies and television programs to interactive data transmission and Internet-enabled e-commerce services, the officials said.

Sony is expected to join other bidders for new CS digital satellite broadcasting licenses from the Posts and Telecommunications Ministry, which will accept applications from late September.

The company is now soliciting broadcasters, equipment makers, mail-order retailers and other related firms to participate in the project.

Sony is also hammering out specifics of the plan, including whether to draw on infrastructure for interactive data broadcasting that will be built by a new joint venture it plans to form this autumn with Toshiba Corp. and Matsushita Electric Industrial Co.

Japan's next-generation CS satellite broadcasting system features Internet connectivity as well as e-commerce and other interactive services.

Viewers can enjoy CS programs with satellite dishes they are now using for broadcast satellite digital television services.

A Telecommunications Ministry survey this spring found a total of 79 companies eager to enter the new CS digital satellite broadcasting market.