Exclusive: RTI reveals NSIL handed over GSAT-24 to Tata Play for testing

Tata Play, a prominent Direct-to-Home (DTH) television operator in India, has leased the entire capacity of the Indian Space Research Organisation’s (ISRO) commercial arm NewSpace India Limited’s (NSIL) GSAT-24 satellite, a 24-Ku band communication satellite with pan-India coverage for DTH applications. This move is aimed at expanding broadcasting capabilities and meeting the growing demand for high-quality content in India.

GSAT-24 was launched by French company Arianespace on an Ariane 5 space launch vehicle on June 22nd, 2022. Since then, it has been slowly positioned to take over DTH broadcasting from Tata Play’s existing satellites. However, there has been no update on when Tata Play will begin using the new satellite, and some users have noticed a reduction in picture quality due to limited bandwidth.

To address these concerns, DreamDTH being a responsible news organization, filed a Right to Information (RTI) request to access details from NSIL. In response to the RTI, NSIL clarified that the launch and orbiting process of GSAT-24 were successful and that it is operational without any technical difficulties.

NSIL also confirmed that they have made the transponders of the satellite available to Tata Play for testing purposes in March 2023. Currently positioned at its designated orbital slot of 83° E, Tata Play has already initiated testing of one transponder, which currently has no channels, according to esteemed DreamDTH member and Satellite Tracker Vadirocks.

Presently Tata Play is using two communication satellites namely GSAT-10 and GSAT-30. Once the company stabilizes with the new GSAT-24 satellite, the existing GSAT-10 satellite will no longer be under their service, said an RTI official. It’s also worth mentioning that the satellites will be switched in a seamless manner and there will be no requirement of dish realignment at customers end.

The RTI response from NSIL provides assurance to users that the launch and positioning of the GSAT-24 satellite were successful and that it is operational without any technical difficulties. It also indicates that Tata Play has access to the transponders of the satellite for testing purposes, which is a positive development for users who have noticed a reduction in picture quality due to limited bandwidth.

The leasing of the entire capacity of the GSAT-24 satellite by Tata Play is a significant move in the DTH television industry in India. The expansion of broadcasting capabilities and the potential for increased bandwidth will help meet the growing demand for high-quality content and improve the overall viewing experience for users. With the successful launch and operational status of the satellite, users can look forward to improved picture quality and additional channels in the near future.

Thanks: Vadirocks, DreamDTH Community Forums