Question : VSAT SERVICE IN RURAL AREAS

(a) whether an Israeli equipment manufacturing company has offered to provide `Very Small Aperture Terminal` (VSAT) telephony service for the rural areas in the country;

(b) whether the said company have also proposed to set up manufacturing base in India for the South East Asia region;

(c) if so, the benefits of VSAT over the other telephony services provided in the rural areas;

(d) whether the Government have considered the proposal of the Israeli company; and

(e) if so, the reaction of the Government thereto?

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS (SHRI TAPAN SIKDAR)

(a) Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) has planned to provide Village Public Telephones (VPTs) by Satellite Terminals in remote areas of the country. Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT) is one of the technologies being considered. An Israel based company has given a presentation on VSAT based solution for rural telephony. However, no proposal has been received from them.

(b) Manufacturing of telecom equipment is a delicensed activity and the company is free to set up such a unit.

(c) Satellite is the only viable proposition for providing connectivity to the remote areas of the country which cannot be accessed by any other terrestrial based technology.

(d) & (e): Do not arise in view of (a) above.