Satellite communication network for State

By Our Special Correspondent

HYDERABAD, JULY 8. Crossing yet another technological milestone, the Andhra Pradesh Government and the Indian Space Research Organisation signed a Memorandum of Understanding here on Saturday to cooperate in establishing a satellite-based communication network, to be used for varied applications like distance education, telemedicine and agriculture extension.

The MoU was signed by Dr. S. Rangarajan, Programme Director, INSAT, on behalf of ISRO and Mr. J. Satyanarayana, Secretary, Information Technology and Communication, representing Andhra Pradesh in the presence of the Chief Minister, Mr. N. Chandrababu Naidu and the Chief Secretary, Mr. P. V. Rao. The State has become the first one to enter into an agreement with ISRO for using free of cost the KU band capacity of the INSAT 3 B, launched in March this year.

While ISRO will provide the transponder capacity on board INSAT and technical support, the State Government will operate the satellite communication network, demonstrating use of space technology for the socio- economic benefit. Mr. Naidu looked immensely happy at the prospect of setting up of satellite-based communication network, and said: ``It fulfils a long felt desire.''

He said it once again showed that high end technology can be used for the benefit of people. It formed part of the Government's thrust towards multichannel approach for creation and utilisation of bandwidth in the terrestrial, satellite and wireless modes. The satellite communication network will not render optic fibre cable-laying project redundant.

The signing of MoU came at the end of some fast thinking by the Chief Minister, who had sent a formal request to the Prime Minister, Mr. A. B. Vajpayee, on May 13 and followed it up with a call to the ISRO chief, Dr. Kasturirangan. It was acknowledged by Dr. Rangarajan, who said it was some quick thinking and vision of the Chief Minister that the State got it. It was a typical example of the State gaining from `first come first served' principle.

The satellite-based communication network will be utilised for distance education, telemedicine, agricultural extension, governance, awareness building among self help groups, agriculture marketing, human resource development and community internet infrastructure.

Dr. Satyanarayana said a detailed project report will be prepared in three weeks covering all areas relating to technical, administrative and managerial aspects of the implementation of the project. Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Open University will be involved in the implementation of the distance education component. The departments concerned will be involved in the implementation of the remaining components.

The project involves setting up of an earth station and studios currently proposed on the Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Open University campus at Jubilee Hills in Hyderabad and installing receiving equipment at the remote ends like high schools, degree colleges, polytechnics, professional colleges, hospitals, Rythu Bazars and market committees.

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Section  : Southern States
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