Tata Play, a prominent direct-to-home (DTH) service provider, has announced the commencement of television channel broadcasting through its dedicated GSAT-24 satellite. Acquired from the Indian space agency ISRO, GSAT-24 was launched exclusively for Tata Play (formerly TataSky) in June of the previous year. This development is set to elevate the DTH provider’s channel carrying capacity to an impressive 900 channels, ensuring coverage across the entire length and breadth of India, including remote regions like the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep.
Following its launch, ISRO strategically positioned the GSAT-24 satellite in a 36,000-kilometer geosynchronous orbit. Once in place, the satellite underwent testing by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) before being handed over to Tata Play for further assessment and operation.
Harit Nagpal, the Managing Director and CEO of Tata Play, expressed his enthusiasm regarding this milestone. He highlighted that the augmented capacity will enable Tata Play to accommodate 900 channels, encompassing regional and educational channels like Gyanwani channels, which are set to be introduced by the government. Nagpal emphasized that this expansion will not only enhance channel capacity but also result in improved signal reception.
Nagpal further elaborated, stating that this advancement solidifies Tata Play’s position as the largest satellite bandwidth provider among all DTH platforms. This achievement marks Tata Play’s third utilization of an Indian-made satellite for its DTH services. Going forward, all new customers will benefit from the enhanced capabilities of the GSAT-24 satellite.
The collaboration between Tata Play and ISRO was facilitated through NSIL (New Space India Ltd), ISRO’s commercial arm. NSIL collaborated with Tata Play, a joint venture between Tata Group and 21st Century Fox, owned by Rupert Murdoch.
Radhakrishnan Durairaj, Chairman and Managing Director of NSIL, underscored the significance of GSAT-24 as the first demand-driven communication satellite mission undertaken by NSIL post space sector reforms. Durairaj highlighted that the satellite’s advanced digital TV transmission capabilities are a testament to the success of the Make In India initiative and will contribute to domestic broadcasting services.
ISRO Chairman S Somanath celebrated this achievement as a remarkable milestone in India’s telecommunications landscape, driven by indigenous technology. This accomplishment not only underscores the nation’s aerospace prowess but also marks India’s successful entry into the demand-driven mission segment.
GSAT-24, a 4-tonne 24-Ku band communication satellite developed by ISRO, was specifically tailored to meet the DTH application requirements of Tata Play. This collaboration showcases the potential of Indian technological advancements in driving significant progress in the telecommunications sector.
