Dedicated satellite for telecom likely
The department of telecommunications (DoT) plans to have an independent, dedicated satellite for telecom services, as merely booking transponder slots on multi-purpose satellites is not enough to meet the scorching rise in demand.
By Rashmi Pratap, TNN |
MUMBAI: The department of telecommunications (DoT) plans to have an independent, dedicated satellite for telecom services, as merely booking transponder slots on multi-purpose satellites is not enough to meet the scorching rise in demand for telecom services in the country, DoT sources told ET.
DoT is considering the development of a multi-band 24 transponder satellite, to be custom-built by Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) at a cost of about $500 million, the sources said.
The satellite is likely to have a mix of C, Ku and Ka band transponders. It can take anywhere between one and three years to launch a satellite of this kind depending on the availability of components and other factors, an ISRO official said.
Initially, the satellite will be used to meet the requirements of BSNL, which executes the government’s rural reachout programme. Subsequently, the satellite will also serve MTNL and private operators. DoT also feels that there is a demand for satellite bandwidth from private operators, many of whom currently use the services of foreign satellites. “Private operators are likely to use the services of the new satellite,” said sources.
Satellite is the most cost-effective medium to provide telecom services. Unlike the terrestrial technologies, satellites do not incur additional costs for addressing each new user once the point-to-multipoint applications system is operational.
Earlier this year, DoT had constituted a committee to examine the feasibility of an independent satellite for telecom services. This committee, in its report this month, has suggested that a custom built satellite is a better option than leasing of transponders or launching an independent satellite.
DoT is considering the development of a multi-band 24 transponder satellite, to be custom-built by Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) at a cost of about $500 million, the sources said.
The satellite is likely to have a mix of C, Ku and Ka band transponders. It can take anywhere between one and three years to launch a satellite of this kind depending on the availability of components and other factors, an ISRO official said.
Initially, the satellite will be used to meet the requirements of BSNL, which executes the government’s rural reachout programme. Subsequently, the satellite will also serve MTNL and private operators. DoT also feels that there is a demand for satellite bandwidth from private operators, many of whom currently use the services of foreign satellites. “Private operators are likely to use the services of the new satellite,” said sources.
Satellite is the most cost-effective medium to provide telecom services. Unlike the terrestrial technologies, satellites do not incur additional costs for addressing each new user once the point-to-multipoint applications system is operational.
Earlier this year, DoT had constituted a committee to examine the feasibility of an independent satellite for telecom services. This committee, in its report this month, has suggested that a custom built satellite is a better option than leasing of transponders or launching an independent satellite.
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