Measat to explore Indian space for buyers
By siliconindia   |   Wednesday, 12 May 2004, 19:30 IST
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AHMEDABAD: One of the worldÂ’s top satellite operators, Measat, is entering the Indian space to scout for potential buyers of satellite capacity in the entertainment arena. Measat is also proposing to market capacity available on the Insat platform, satellites launched by the Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro), government sources told Economic Times, an Indian daily. According to the sources, Measat is planning to set up its own subsidiary in the country as television transmission takes a leap towards direct-to-home (DTH) technology. The Malaysian firm has approached the government with a proposal to bring in foreign funds. The proposal is likely to be discussed by a group of secretaries shortly. Clearances from the department of space, and the ministries of information and broadcasting, and defence are also required, the sources added. A government official said the investment in the subsidiary will brought in through Measat International (South Asia) Ltd, an investment company based in Mauritius. The subsidiary will, apart from marketing satellite capacity as available on Measat and Insat platforms, also act as sales, advertising and marketing agents for selling other value added services and will provide technical consultancy services. Details of the other value added services could not be ascertained. BSSÂ’ new satellite, Measat-3, will be co-located with Measat-1 at the orbital slot of 91.5 degrees east longitude. The new satellite will consist of 24 C-band and 24 Ku-band transponder and have an extensive footprint over Africa, Europe, West Asia and Asia-Pacific region. Its Ku-band payload will comprise of high-powered switchable spot-beams over India, Malaysia and China that provides Indian broadcasters the opportunity to use Measat transponder to beam its channels across the country. The Measat system can provide digital video and audio broadcasting, international and domestic VSAT and telecommunication services as well as high-speed internet access. Measat also represents a technology breakthrough with its pioneering direct-to-user (DTU) system transmitted via its advanced high-powered Ku-band transponders specifically designed to cut through the Asian regionÂ’s heavy tropical rainfall, according to the website. IndiaÂ’s fast-growing communications, entertainment and information industries will create high demand for satellite capacity.

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