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Even as the
ban on Ku-band frequency was lifted almost a year ago to enable
direct-to-home (DTH) broadcasting in the country, the government
hasn’t received any application for DTH services yet. Perhaps,
keeping this scenario in mind, there’s a move to get Doordarshan
channels on the Ku-band mode. This is particularly significant as
there are indications that the government may revise the DTH guidelines.
So far, no
TV broadcaster, except in DTH, is allowed to beam from the Ku-band.
In the absence of any other alternative, all TV channels are on
C-band only. Ku-band installation is cheaper than that in C-band.
Also, reception of Ku-band channels requires a very small dish antenna
as against large antenna in the lower C-band frequency.
The report
of the working group on the Information & Broadcasting sector
for the Tenth Plan recommends distribution of a bouquet of television
channels in the Ku-band in free-to-air mode. The report adds that
Ku-band requires only a small dish antenna, making its transportation
and installation in the remote and inaccessible areas very convenient.
It is also cheaper than C-band installations, the report says.
The working
group has made a strong case for DD coming on the Ku mode citing
lower investment. ‘‘It may be seen that the investment
required for covering uncovered areas by a single channel terrestrial
network is far high as compared to a satellite-based distribution
system for 20 channels in Ku band for free-to-air reception,’’
the group says. Therefore, it is recommended to provide a bouquet
of about 20 DD channels in free-to-air mode in the Ku-band for the
uncovered areas by using satellite distribution system, the group
adds.
The proposal
to get DD on Ku-band is also with an eye for a set-top box market.
"It is expected that with the above strategy during the Tenth
Plan, a large market of set-top boxes would develop bringing their
prices within the reach of the common man and making the entire
operation totally market-driven," the group says. On one hand,
the working group wants DD to beam a bouquet of channels from Ku-band,
in the absence of DTH taking off immediately. On the other hand,
this group has recommended that the DTH policy should be reviewed
to make it viable for potential players.
The issues
which have kept broadcasters away from the DTH foray include the
sectoral cap of 20 per cent and revenue sharing agreement with the
government. According to the DTH guidelines, no broadcasting company
and/or cable network company shall be eligible to own more than
20 per cent of the total equity of an applicant company at any time
during licence period.
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