The Videsh Sanchar Nigam Limited (VSNL) today (May 26, 2000) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Antrix Corporation, the commercial arm of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) for acquisition of Satellite capacity in the Indian Ocean Region.

VSNL has been witnessing a rapid rise in the requirement of satellite capacity for Internet services, multimedia satellite uplinking, Internet Multicast backbone services and regional high speed data connectivity requirements. VSNL expects significant growth in its transponder requirements both in the C-band and Ku-band over the next three years which justifies the augmentation of the space segment capacity. The expansion is planned through Antrix Corporation.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr K Kasturirangan, Chairman, ISRO said "ISRO is highly focused on the development of satellite capacity in the Indian Ocean Region. The Memorandum of Understanding with VSNL will culminate in making available transponder capacity. This would help a number of users in India including VSNL to deploy high technology satellite connectivity applications".

Shri S K Gupta, Chairman and Managing Director, VSNL, said "the MOU with Antrix Corporation will help VSNL in acquiring much needed transponder capacity to meet the growing requirements of all satellite services in India and in the Indian Ocean Region. This will also herald the entry of VSNL into a regional role in international operation. We are highly optimistic towards the future satellite utilization scenario and the MOU marks an important stage in our plans for emerging as a strong regional player".

The MOU signed between VSNL and Antrix Corporation will enable the two organisations to clearly converge on the requirements of satellite, which will ideally serve the multi service requirements of VSNL and its customers and lead to a co-ordinated augmentation of the satellite capacity in the earliest time frame.

VSNL at present uses the INTELSAT system for the bulk of its satellite connectivity requirement. VSNL has over 30 earth station antennas deployed on six INTELSAT satellites operating at 60°, 62°, 64°, 66°, 83° and 359° east longitude. VSNL has become second largest shareholder in the INTELSAT system with increasing deployment of satellite capacities within India.

INTELSAT and ISRO have also had a close working relationship with the leasing of 11 transponders on the INSAT-2E satellite by INTELSAT. Nine of these satellite transponders are now being offered by VSNL to satellite broadcasters in India. ISRO has been the first such organisation from which INTELSAT has leased satellite capacity as a part of its international fleet of operating satellites. VSNL was closely associated as the Signatory to INTELSAT in the INTELSAT and ISRO partnership.

The MOU signed with Antrix Corporation today marks the second milestone of close cooperation between VSNL and ISRO for satellite operations in the Indian Ocean region.