Telecom operators going for satellite-based services will get a big boost as the department of telecommunications (DoT) has decided to own an independent telecom satellite.
Sources said that officials have deliberated the proposal at length and now modalities need to be formulated. At present, the department of space and any telecom operator owns all satellites or broadcaster requiring the same have to apply with it.
However, it was felt that DoT being a communications department having to do a lot with satellites should own one on its own.
The move will primarily help telecom operators who are fast getting into DTH operations.
In fact, the country?s largest and second largest mobile operators, Bharti Airtel and Reliance Communications have firmed up their DTH ventures and their operations could have started faster had satellites been free for their usage. Even VSAT operators will benefit immensely once DoT has its own satellite.
Sources said that DoT?s satellite will help the government in offering wireless broadband at much faster rate in rural areas using satellites. In fact, last year a high-powered inter-ministerial committee suggested to the government those suitable regulatory and policy initiatives should be devised for permitting VSATs and DTH operators to provide broadband connections.
Such a move will benefit DTH service providers like Tata Sky and Zee group?s Dish TV, apart from Reliance Communications and Bharti Airtel. Even former communications and IT minister Dayanidhi Maran?s brother Kalanithi Maran controlled Sun TV Network has commenced DTH operations.
Bharti, Hughes Network, HCL Comnet, and Essel Shyam are the leading VSAT players who will gain from the move.
Broadband connections, at present, are primarily through terrestrial network. However, rollout is weak in several areas, especially far-flung rural areas like north-east, areas of Chattisgarh, Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttaranchal. Satellite mode can also be deployed in hilly terrains and forests. These regions can be best served through the satellite mode.
The cost of satellite bandwidth is much higher as compared to the terrestrial bandwidth. The cost of international bandwidth of 2 Mbps for terrestrial network is Rs 9 lakh against Rs 20 lakh for satellite.
Similarly, domestic bandwidth of the same capacity for terrestrial network costs Rs 8 lakh as against Rs 20 lakh for satellite.