Private broadcasters dream of getting transponder capacity on Insat-2D satellite may remain a dream as the fate of most transponders have almost been decided with government agencies like Doordarshan and the department of telecommunications (DoT) dominating the scene.
This is despite the fact that the department of space and the ministry of science and technology are in favour of leasing out transponders to private parties.
As many as half-a-dozen private broadcasters are lobbying with DoS and the Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) for transponder space on the grounds that it will help arrest foreign exchange outflow from the country.
The parties who have shown interest in leasing transponders include two corporate houses with business interest in telephony. One of them, a Delhi-based company, has been making enquiries on running of satellite channels and other aspects of TV broadcasting.
Contacted by Business Standard on Monday, minister of state for science and technology Y K Alagh admitted that his ministry is in favour of involving private parties in the operation and working of Insat series as it would help in generating additional revenue.
But at the moment in the absence of a clear-cut government policy, we cannot say for sure or commit any transponder space to private parties on Insat-2D. Moreover, fate of most transponders on the new satellite, slated to go up on June 4, has been more or less decided with government agencies like DD and DoT dominating the show, the minister said.
Isro has been lobbying with the government to sell some transponder space to private broadcasters. However, the government has been reluctant to permit this.
A senior Isro official said, Isro is willing to entertain private operators. The available transponder time on Insat satellites was sufficient to accommodate Doordarshans needs and leave some for others.
Involving private parties in operating Insat satellites is part of the space policy which is awaiting cabinet clearance. It deals with, amongst other things, working out formulas where private parties will not only get transponder capacity, but also be involved in the building and marketing of satellites.
The Insat-2D satellite will have 18 C-band transponders. Of these six are in extended C-band providing increased downlink power. After the operationalisation of the satellite in September, the transponders available for TV broadcasting are expected to be about 8. The balance would be used for telecommunication. Two KU-band transponders will be used for high speed data transmission.
The Insat-2A, 2B and 2C together provide 22 transponders for TV broadcasting and with the launch of 2D, this will go up to 30.
