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New Delhi: The attempt by Antrix Corporation to lease transponder capacity on foreign satellites has invoked sharp criticism from the domestic DTH and VSAT operators, who want the intervention from department of space in correcting ‘several anomalies’ in the request for proposal (RFP) floated by Antrix Corporation, the commercial arm of Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro).
Stakeholders, including DTH operators, have termed the Antrix’s RFP as “incomplete” and “riddled with anomalies”. They have also underlined key shortcomings and omissions that may prove counterproductive in meeting the pressing industry requirements.
Both VSAT and DTH industry are facing acute shortage of satellite spectrum, which is now threatening to wipe out services impacting over 50 million customers.
Antrix Corporation floated the tender a few days back as on its own Isro has failed to service the growing need for capacity augmentation of the DTH and VSAT operations.
“There are three or four issues that are not addressed by the RFP. We have written to the department of space, I&B ministry, IT ministry, Antrix and ISRO highlighting these shortcomings,” a senior functionary of the DTH Association told FE.
These key concerns are exclusion of broadcast services band (BSS) as per the National Frequency Allocation Plan (NFAP) of 2011, short agreement period of two-three years as opposed to demand for longer contracts (five-six years), low power requirements of satellites and lack of precise orbital slots to serve the existing players.
“Following BSS plan means additional capacity of 500 Mhz in downlink and 1,100 Mhz in Uplink that will be able to meet the demands of the industry. We want the inclusion of BSS plan frequencies as approved by NFAP, 2011, for DTH services over India. This will also create an additional national asset base for India to timely address the growing bandwidth demand of the DTH sector,” the letter sent by the DTH association to the department of space said.
Source
Stakeholders, including DTH operators, have termed the Antrix’s RFP as “incomplete” and “riddled with anomalies”. They have also underlined key shortcomings and omissions that may prove counterproductive in meeting the pressing industry requirements.
Both VSAT and DTH industry are facing acute shortage of satellite spectrum, which is now threatening to wipe out services impacting over 50 million customers.
Antrix Corporation floated the tender a few days back as on its own Isro has failed to service the growing need for capacity augmentation of the DTH and VSAT operations.
“There are three or four issues that are not addressed by the RFP. We have written to the department of space, I&B ministry, IT ministry, Antrix and ISRO highlighting these shortcomings,” a senior functionary of the DTH Association told FE.
These key concerns are exclusion of broadcast services band (BSS) as per the National Frequency Allocation Plan (NFAP) of 2011, short agreement period of two-three years as opposed to demand for longer contracts (five-six years), low power requirements of satellites and lack of precise orbital slots to serve the existing players.
“Following BSS plan means additional capacity of 500 Mhz in downlink and 1,100 Mhz in Uplink that will be able to meet the demands of the industry. We want the inclusion of BSS plan frequencies as approved by NFAP, 2011, for DTH services over India. This will also create an additional national asset base for India to timely address the growing bandwidth demand of the DTH sector,” the letter sent by the DTH association to the department of space said.
Source
