New Skies launches operations in India

Cyber News Service


New Delhi

New Skies satellites, one of the offshoots of US-based Intelsat, has begun its operations in the country by setting up a liaison office. The Indian office would cater to the needs of the entire SAARC region. New Skies' services for the country are currently provided through the Ku-band and C-band beams on NSS-703. The company deployed the Ku-band beams to provide end-to-end Internet services for Indian ISPs. These beams cover India with Internet connectivity to Europe with capacity of up to 200 MBPS. The C-band spot beam over India has been deployed to cover large numbers of small users and is already 60 percent committed. 

During the last six months, New Skies has already signed with a number of ISPs like BSES, VSNL, STPI, and Primus Communications providing a total capacity 100 MBPS. Although most of the deals have been signed, the ISPs are yet to deploy the capacity as they are in various stages of getting government clearances. The company is already providing capacity to broadcasting companies like Sun TV and

VSNL.

It has already raked in a turnover of around $ 6 million from these contracts. New Skies currently has only one satellite-NSS 703 with footprints over the country. However by 2001 it will have another satellite over the SAARC region. It has about nine transponders providing capacity over the country in both the C band as well as the Ku-band frequency. While four transponders are dedicated to providing value-added services, five transponders cater to the needs of broadcasters. The company's strategy in value-added services is to provide end-to-end solutions that include capacity, connectivity as well as content. With the DTH segment on the verge of opening up, New Skies hopes to make a killing here by forming alliances with content-driven companies.

New Skies satellites are geostationary satellites placed at 36,000 km and currently have five satellites that are operational. By 2003, the number of satellites is expected to go up to 15 with a capacity of 50 transponders. By next year, New Skies satellites will also come with Ku-band transponders, which will cater to the DTH segment.