Thaicom Public Company Limited, a renowned leader in satellite and space technology across Asia, has made a significant announcement today. Its subsidiary, IPSTAR (India) Private Limited (IPSTAR), has forged a strategic agreement with Hughes Communications India Private Limited (HCI), a top-tier provider of broadband satellite and managed network services. This collaboration focuses on bolstering satellite capacity over India via Thaicom’s advanced satellite fleet.
Through this agreement, IPSTAR India will supply satellite capacity services to Hughes in India, leveraging Thaicom’s robust satellite network. This enhancement will allow HCI to significantly upgrade its satellite broadband, mobile backhaul, maritime, and satellite IoT services, catering to the escalating and diverse demands for satellite services across India.
This landmark partnership marks a pivotal step in the evolution of satellite communications, amplifying the capacity dedicated to India for satellite broadband and associated services. Thaicom is steadfast in its commitment to addressing India’s surging need for satellite broadband, backed by additional capacity from both its current and forthcoming next-generation satellite fleet. The process is already underway to secure regulatory approval under India’s new space policy.
Shivaji Chatterjee, President & Managing Director of Hughes Communications India, expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “Our long-standing engagement with Thaicom has been very successful, and we are excited to further enhance our collaboration through this agreement. This new capacity expansion will significantly boost broadband connectivity in India. Thaicom’s satellite platform is a crucial component in advancing broadband satellite services throughout the country. We look forward to a continued, successful partnership with Thaicom.”
Echoing this sentiment, Patompob (Nile) Suwansiri, Thaicom’s CEO, noted, “We are very honored to sign this agreement with Hughes Communications India, the leading satellite service provider in India, starting with the use of our existing powerful THAICOM 8 satellite with dedicated Indian coverage. Furthermore, Thaicom remains committed to continuously serving the Indian market into the future with new investments in state-of-the-art next-generation satellites. Thaicom has been providing the Indian market with satellite capacity since 1997, and combined with Hughes’ extensive experience and expertise in managed services, I am confident we will be able to meet the insatiable demand for broadband services throughout India.”
This is exciting news! Expanding satellite capacity in India is exactly what the country needs right now.
Totally agree! With more broadband availability, rural areas can finally have better internet access.
I hope this actually happens. Promises are made all the time, but where’s the follow-through?
That’s a fair point, Nancy. But Thaicom and Hughes have a strong track record, so I’m optimistic.
But how about the pricing? Will rural folks even afford it?
Great initiative! But I wonder how this will comply with India’s new space policy.
I think satellite broadband is overrated. Fiber optics are the future.
Fiber optics are awesome, but in remote areas, satellites are the only viable option.
True, but fiber should still be prioritized for urban areas. Satellites for the rest.
Combining both technologies could be the best approach.
Ipstar and Hughes partnership = better connectivity. Simple math.
Hopefully it means better speeds and reliability too.
When will this expanded satellite capacity actually be available for consumers?
This could be great for maritime services, especially for shipping companies in India!
Just hope they don’t price it too high for average consumers.
New satellites are all well and good, but what about cybersecurity? More satellites mean more vulnerabilities.
Thaicom has been in India since 1997? Why isn’t their service more well-known?
Probably because they’ve been more focused on commercial clients than individual consumers.
This could mean huge progress for satellite IoT in India!
IoT is important, but the real game-changer will be in education and telemedicine.
True, those sectors will benefit immensely from better internet access.
Thaicom + Hughes = internet boom in India? Only time will tell.
I have my doubts, but here’s hoping for the best.
How will this impact the competition in the satellite broadband market in India?
I think it might force other providers to improve their services or lower their prices.
I’m glad to see more investments in India’s tech infrastructure. It’s long overdue.
Can this new capacity from Thaicom and Hughes handle peak internet usage times?
This news is incredibly promising for India’s digital future.
Yes, but let’s not forget the digital divide persists, and it’s going to take more than satellites to bridge it.
You’re right, Sarah. But this is a step in the right direction.
Reliability is key. I hope these new satellites don’t just add more capacity but also better service quality.
Absolutely! What use is extra bandwidth if it isn’t reliable?
Let’s hope this results in less network congestion during peak hours.
Satellite upgrades are cool and all, but what about supporting the existing ground infrastructure?