ISRO mulls to modify transponder allocation norms- the guidelines of SatCom Policy

July 31, 2013

Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) is cogitating to modify the guidelines of SatCom Policy related to allocation and pricing of satellite transponders for public and non-government users.
The guidelines are being revised after consulting ISRO’s stakeholder departments and the multi-ministry ICC (Insat Coordination Committee) chaired by DoS Secretary. Typically the ICC allocates satellite transponders to user groups depending on their availability and urgency of use.
After the approval by the government ISRO will be able to allocate to different users by percentages and charge for capacity on its INSAT/GSAT satellites in a much more rational way than now.
The SatCom Policy threw open the INSAT capacity to non-government users and allowed lease of capacity on foreign satellites where needed.

Who are the main domestic users of INSAT/GSATs transponders?

ISRO leases 95 of the 263 transponders used by domestic operators. The main users are:

Doordarshan and All India Radio under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting
Private TV channels and commercial Direct-To-Home (DTH) operators
Department of Telecommunications and BSNL for telephone services
Over a lakh VSATs (Very Small Aperture Terminals) that enable Internet broadband services of large public and private organizations and drive ATMs and stock exchanges.
India Meteorological Department and social sectors such as distance education, telemedicine and disaster management also ride their services on Insat/GSATs.
The Ministry of Defence, the Armed Forces and its various agencies have also taken on new dimensions and are demanding bigger, serious and exclusive allocations.

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