DoT is exploring the possibility of negotiating with the Indian Space Research Organisation for satellite bandwidth at discounted rates for connectivity in far-flung areas of the country.
The option of supporting satellite bandwidth costs through the Universal Service Obligation (USO) Fund for VSAT operators with terminals installed in rural and remote areas is also being considered. The government may also introduce a reduced single rate for spectrum for VSAT operators against the present ceiling of 4 per cent. The government is looking at replicating the EDUSAT model (the first Indian satellite designed and developed exclusively for the education sector) and making satellite transponders available at reduced rates for telephony as 35 to 60 per cent of the total input cost for VSAT operations iscontributed by transponder charges.
