Govt allows transponder capacity hiring from foreign operators

The government today said broadcasting companies were facing difficulties to get required satellite bandwidth due to increasing demand and to meet the requirement, leasing transponder capacity from foreign operators has been allowed.
This information was shared in the Lok Sabha by Information and Broadcasting minister Manish Tewari in a written response to a question.
"Department of space has informed that due to increasing demand for satellite bandwidth, television channels or broadcasting companies are facing difficulties to get the required satellite bandwidth," he said.
Steps taken in this regard included leasing transponder capacity from foreign operators to meet the demand and building and launching additional INSAT/GSAT satellites to augment the transponder capacity in the country, Tewari said.

He said the number of satellite television channels had grown to 833 as on date.
In response to another question Tewari said All India Radio has received 18 proposals to set up FM radio stations from various states and UTs during the last three years.
In response to another query, Tewari said recommendations of the Parliamentary standing committee for inclusion of provisions in the Press and Registration of Books Act to check the incidents of paid news are being considered.