TRAI Hopes Satellite Will Boost Indian Broadband Market

[09-17-07 – Satellite Today] The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) revealed a series of draft recommendations Sept. 17 designed to boost broadband growth in India.

The “Growth in Broadband” initiative focus mainly on telecoms, but two key recommendations involve the use of satellite broadband.

TRAI recommends the Indian government should ensure availability of more Ku-band transponders to roll out broadband services through direct-to-home platforms and also says the government should use the Universal Service Obligation fund to provide subsidies for providing broadband services through satellite in remote and hilly areas.

India has a population of more than 1.1 billion people. According to TRAI’s latest statistics on the Indian broadband market, the total number broadband connections in the country stood at 2.5 million by the end of July.