INTERVIEW

The Videsh Sanchar Nigam Ltd (VSNL) is the government-owned overseas telecoms carrier in India. It is also the designated body for broadcasters to uplink their television signals to satellites as it has a vast network of earth stations all over the country. VSNL is also promoting the use of Intelsat satellites by Indian broadcasters. The organisation is headed by director (operations) and acting chairman & managing director Amitabh Kumar who has found himself in the hot seat at a time when the Indian government is gradually throwing caution to the wind and allowing television channels to up link from within India. This was an anathema earlier. The Indian Cab&Sat Reporter spoke to Kumar on the facilities that VSNL is offering broadcasters. Excerpts:

Q: ON WHICH SATELLITES HAS VSNL LEASED TRANSPONDERS?
A: VSNL has leased transponder capacities for broadcasters on Intelsat satellites IS-703, 704, 804 with orbital locations at 57, 66 and 64 degrees east. We have about 11 transponder leases in all.

Q: WHERE IS THE DEMAND FOR TRANSPONDER CAPACITY COMING?
A: VSNL is getting enquiries from various broadcasters from different parts of India. The government of India has, however, allowed uplinking to broadcasters with foreign equity to the extent of 20% or less in the first phase. Most southern Indian language channels fulfil this criterion. The Business India TV owned TVi has also been given permission to uplink their channel from India.

Q: ARE YOU BULLISH ABOUT TRANSPONDER CAPACITY ON THE TO-BE-LAUNCHED INSAT 2E BEING TAKEN UP?
A: Yes. A 36 MHz transponder on new generation satellites like APR-1 (Insat 2E) will support the transmission of two analog channels as against one channel on satellites such as IS-703. As a result of which broadcasters would like to migrate to APR-1 for less transponder capacity requirement and hence less cost.

Q: WHAT ARE THE RATES THAT VSNL LEVIES PER MONTH FOR UP-LINKING?
A: VSNL charges for uplinking from its gateway earth stations are Rs 600,000 a month. We offer bulk user discounts on number of TV channels from one broadcaster and on the length of the commitment period. The Sun TV group and Asianet are currently availing such discounts.

Q: CAN ANYONE APPLY FOR A TRANSPONDER LEASE?
A: Anyone can apply for a transponder lease. The restrictions are applicable for uplinking and not for hiring transponder capacity. These restrictions are likely to be lifted after the second and third phase of the uplinking policy.

Q: HOW MANY EARTH STATIONS DOES VSNL HAVE AND WHAT FACILITIES DOES IT OFFER?
A: VSNL presently has 17 earth stations and 13 more are expected to be added shortly. We can provide both digital and analog uplink facilities from all these earth stations.

Q: HOW MANY CUSTOMERS HAVE SIGNED ON FOR UP LINKING?
A: Agreements for uplinking seven TV channels have been signed and some more are in the pipeline. Six channels are being uplinked from India through VSNL on a regular basis. For the last mile connectivity to the VSNL earth stations some broadcasters are transporting their broadcast signals on microwave and some are playing their cassettes in VSNL premises.

Q: WILL VSNL BE OFFERING PLAYOUT FACILITIES FOR BROADCASTERS AT ITS EARTH STATIONS?
A: Regarding playout facility, the proposal is very much under consideration. In the first phase we are likely to provide it in the southern Indian region.