MUMBAI: WorldSpace, Inc., the satellite-based digital radio services has announced that its wholly-owned subsidiary, WorldSpace India Pvt. Ltd., has signed up with Webel Mediatronics Ltd.

This move means that WorldSpace India is looking at further investments for launching an array of new services. Along with Webel Mediatronics, Worldspace will explore technology transfer for the assembly, installation and commissioning of a broadcast infrastructure, including gap fillers, that work in conjunction with the WorldSpace Satellite Radio offering.

The companies will explore development and deployment in India and also target other WorldSpace markets.

According to an official release, WorldSpace chose to collaborate with Webel based on the company's 25-year history of technology innovation. Webel, which pioneered the manufacture of studio equipment such as audio mixing consoles, broadcast-grade CD players and community radio systems in India, has supplied products to Doordarshan Kendras and All India Radio (AIR) stations across the country.

"We are committed to extending the WorldSpace experience across India and throughout the world. We view our new arrangement with Webel as an investment that will position the company to continue growing our global subscriber base and potentially accelerate our business roll out," said WorldSpace chairman and CEO Noah Samara.

What clearly distinguishes WorldSpace Satellite Radio from any other offerings in India and across its target areas is its wide variety of audio content. With more than 40 radio stations that span musical genres, news, sports and information; WorldSpace offers unsurpassed choice and digital-sound quality to its subscribers.

WorldSpace provides content, which is a combination of local programming, original WorldSpace content and content from leading brands around the globe including the BBC, CNN, Virgin Radio UK, NDTV and RFI.

West Bengal IT minister Manabendra Mukherjee added, "Webel has emerged as one of the most progressive entities in the country today and they have proved it yet again. Not only will this cooperation bring in the latest technology to India but also our people can develop it further for the benefit of masses. This MOU, when acted upon, can generate significant valuable foreign exchange for the country."