DishTV's own satellite to be launched by June

DishTV, which has offered a free-of-cost set top box (STB) to all new subscribers with new connections, is looking at doubling its customer base of 31 lakh within next 45 days. The same is planned ahead of its Rs 800 crore satellite project being handled by Chinese satellite company ProtoStar.

Speaking to Business Standard , a DishTV official close to developments said, "Protostar has almost finalised the schedule for launch of DishTV's satellite from Kourou from French Guyana. We expect a launch in the last week of June the satellite would be operational by July second week. We will then have additional 14 Ku-band and 12 c-band transponders for satellite TV broadcast."

DishTV presently holds 9 c-band transponders on a European satellite NSS-6 and can show 220 TV channels. Being the oldest company in the market, it enjoys market leadership ahead of Prasarbharati's DD Direct Plus, Tata Sky and Sun TV services.
"We are planning to provide internet connection through DTH platform. Once the new satellite is operational, internet services would be feasible technically. Present DishTV users would have to exchange their STBs and dish to avail internet service if needed," the official added.

With the launch of its satellite and the scheduled entry of new players like Reliance and Airtel in the DTH market, DishTV has decided to offer free STBs to all its new subscribers. New subscribers who opt for the annual maxi package worth Rs 3,990 will also get to watch 67 movies-on-demand (MoD) free of cost.

A number of airlines are also in talks with DishTV to provide TV entertainment during flights. Presently, 20 planes operated by Kingfisher Airlines have DishTV systems installed. Indian Railways is also considering a proposal to install DTH systems in long distance trains, for which, DishTV remains a preferred player, the official added.