GSAT-24 Commissioned Successfully; Tata Play Taps ISRO Satellite For Enhanced DTH Coverage Across India

Direct-to-home (DTH) service provider Tata Play has commenced the use of the GSAT-24 satellite.

The communication satellite was launched on board the European Ariane V rocket from Kourou, French Guiana, in June last year.

The mission entailed a collaboration between NewSpace India Limited (NSIL) and its customer Tata Play, in line with the 'Make in India' initiative of the Narendra Modi government.

The 4-tonne-class, 24-Ku-band satellite built by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) took its orbital position and Tata Play began using it on Monday (7 August), marking a successful commissioning of the GSAT-24.

While Tata Play offers 600 channels, it will be able to transmit 900 channels with the addition of the GSAT-24. The channels will be available across the country, including in the North East and the Andaman & Nicobar Islands.

In addition, Tata Play will be able to provide better picture and sound quality with the increased bandwidth.

The GSAT-24 is the first demand-driven communication satellite mission undertaken by NSIL since the space sector reforms.

NSIL, incorporated in March 2019, is a central public sector enterprise under the Department of Space and serves as its commercial arm.

"It (the GSAT-24) is the culmination of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of privatisation and establishment of NSIL, which for the first time launched a demand-based satellite in collaboration with Tata Play," Information & Broadcasting Secretary Apurva Chandra said at a ceremony held at Tata Play's Broadcast Centre in New Delhi.

"This event unlocks one more step towards Aatmanirbhar Bharat and self-reliance in the field of space and communication," Chandra said.

ISRO Chairman S Somanath said the GSAT-24 is now fully operational at its maximum satellite capacity, entirely leased to Tata Play. The satellite has a mission life of 15 years.

"This momentous achievement signifies a revolution in India’s telecommunications space, driven by cutting-edge indigenous technology," Somanath said, adding that it marks India's successful entry into the demand-driven mission segment.

NSIL Chairman and Managing Director Radhakrishnan Durairaj said, "The GSAT-24 satellite is ready to usher in a new era of satellite television for India."

"As a testament to the success of the ‘Make In India’ initiative, this satellite would support domestic broadcasting services with advanced digital TV transmission capabilities," he added.