ISRO monopoly fuels xponder shortages

November 30, 2012/New Delhi: The country’s VSAT, teleport and DTH companies, which use satellite-based communication systems, have questioned the “unrealistic” target and the intention of the department of space (DoS) and the Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) to meet the steep shortfall in satellite capacity through foreign operators. The domestic operators have accused the DoS and Isro of favouring foreign operators over Indian companies keen on launching indigenous satellite systems.

The protest from home-grown communication companies comes against the backdrop of what they say is Isro’s “failure” to meet its target of providing 500 transponders in the 11th Plan period (2007-12) and also increasing it to around 800 transponders in the 12th Plan period (2012-17), without opening up the sector. Between 2007-12, Isro operationalised only 187 transponders on its satellite system.

Read more at The Financial Express