Thomson will build the digital set-top boxes for a direct-to-home (DTH) satellite service planned for launch in India in mid-2006 by Tata Sky, Thomson announced Feb. 19.

Under the contract with Tata Sky, a joint venture between the Tata Group and Star, Thomson will manufacture the boxes for the T-Sky service in India and will provide after-sales services and support for customers.

“Selecting Thomson as a preferred partner gives us proven high-quality customer premises equipment, through which we can deliver our programming and associated interactive services,” Vikram Kaushik, CEO of Tata Sky Ltd., said in a statement. “This agreement is an endorsement of our commitment to provide state-of-the-art DTH services in India and offer customers the best satellite TV services available.”