Question : PRICING OF SATELLITE TRANSPONDERS

(a) whether ISRO has given any proposal for allocation and pricing of satellite transponders for public and non-Government users and if so, the details thereof;

(b) the number of INSAT/GSAT satellites available at present and the number of Government and non-Government users;

(c) whether ISRO shall be permitted to multi-pricing policy for its transponders depending upon their status and if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;

(d) whether several DTH users are using foreign satellites at present and if so, the details thereof; and

(e) the steps taken/proposed to be taken by the Government to resolve their issues and bring them back into the ISRO fold?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PG & PENSIONS AND IN THE PRIME MINISTER’S OFFICE (DR. JITENDRA SINGH):

(a) Yes Madam. Based on the review and approval of INSAT Co-ordination Committee (ICC) and Space Commission, a revised policy guideline for allocation and pricing of transponders has been evolved and is being processed for Government approval. It envisages a rational classification structure for users such as Strategic, Government including Societal, not-for-profit PSUs and Commercial to form a basis for allocation and pricing of transponders.

(b) At present, there are 12 INSAT/GSAT satellites in orbit, out of which 10 are communication satellites and 2 are meteorological satellites. In INSAT/GSAT satellite system there are 41 Government users and 59 non-Government users are utilizing the capacity in C band, Extended C Band and Ku band to the extent of 152 transponders (36 MHz equivalent each).

(c) At present, a uniform pricing policy is implemented for all categories of users. However, a multi-pricing policy for transponders is under the consideration of the Government as INSAT systems transponders are utilized for non-profit purposes viz. Governmental, societal, strategic as well as for commercial purposes.

(d) Yes Madam. Five Indian DTH operators namely, DISH TV, Bharati Telemedia, SUN DIRECT, Reliance BIG TV, Videocon d2h are utilizing a total of 58.89 transponders (36 MHz equivalent each) capacity sourced from four foreign satellites.

(e) The steps taken by ISRO to augment the INSAT system capacity to meet the transponder demand including DTH services are – (i) Building standardized 3 ton capacity communication satellites on priority; (ii) development of high-throughput/high power 6 ton class communication satellites; (iii) development of advanced Ka band communication satellite with multi-beam technology and (iv) coordination of additional orbital slots and frequency.