New Delhi: The selection of Ananth Technologies Limited (ATL) as the beneficiary of the Announcement of Opportunity (AO) by the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) is a significant leap forward for the Indian space sector. It also marks a pivotal moment for private sector participation in India’s rapidly expanding space industry.
Now under the framework of the AO, Ananth Technologies is authorised to access Indian Orbital Resources for the first time, enabling them to develop and operate a Geostationary Orbit (GSO) communication satellite. The satellite will utilise the Ka-band frequency for high-throughput communication, an essential resource for meeting the country’s growing demand for reliable and high-speed satellite communication.
Underpinned by the Indian Space Policy 2023, this move is part of India’s broader efforts to encourage private sector involvement in space activities. In May 2024, IN-SPACe released the Norms, Guidelines, and Procedures (NGP) for the implementation of this policy, aimed at facilitating the involvement of non-government entities (NGEs) in India’s space endeavours. Subsequently, the Announcement of Opportunity was launched on July 30, 2024 provided a clear pathway for private companies like ATL to access critical orbital resources. It closed on October 21, 2024.
This new opportunity positions Ananth Technologies as the first private Indian company enabled to develop and operate a GSO communication satellite. The company’s ambitious project will include the development, launch, and operation of a multi-beam, high-throughput satellite designed to meet the increasing need for robust communication services across India. ATL will also be responsible for crucial tasks like frequency coordination with other satellite operators, managing filings with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), and ensuring that all necessary due diligence processes and notifications are completed in compliance with international regulations.
Hailing the announcement as a transformative step for the Indian space sector, Dr Pawan Goenka, Chairman of IN-SPACe, stated, “This announcement is a transformative step for the Indian space sector. This will make Ananth Technologies Limited the first private Indian satellite operator to provide state-of-the-art GSO communication satellite services to the country. With support from ISRO and DoT, this effort establishes a new benchmark for private sector participation in generating SATCOM capacity through indigenous satellites. It is a significant step toward achieving ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ in satellite communication.”
The development marks a new chapter in India’s quest for self-reliance in space technology, aligning with the country’s “Aatmanirbhar Bharat” initiative, which aims to build indigenous capabilities across key sectors, including satellite communications.
Expressing its appreciation for IN-SPACe’s efforts in enabling private sector participation in satellite operations, Ananth Technologies Limited emphasised that the access to orbital resources would allow them to position themselves as India’s first private satellite operator. ATL’s statement highlighted their commitment to building indigenous satellite communication capacity, with a focus on creating a satellite that is both “Made in India” and “launched from India”.
According to an ATL spokesperson, this Orbital resource shall help ATL to position itself as the first private Indian communication satellite operator. “ATL shall bring in a state-of-the-art communication satellite building capability in India and have it launched from India. This Geostationary Ka-band HTS satellite shall truly be ‘Make in India’ and ‘launch from India’ and for ‘Bharat’. This indigenous capacity would contribute towards building the ‘Digital Highways’ for providing last-mile connectivity, particularly for the benefit of education and health sectors,” the spokesperson said.
As the project aims to bridge the communication gap in underserved regions of India, particularly in rural areas, ATL’s initiative, by leveraging high-throughput satellite technology, promises to enhance the “digital highways” in India and providing crucial services to various sectors.
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