NEW DELHI: The government is processing a revised policy guideline for allocation and pricing of transponders based on the review and approval of INSAT Co-ordination Committee (ICC) and Space Commission.

Parliament was told on 23 July by Department of Space Minister in charge Jitendra Singh that the new guideline envisages a rational classification structure for users such as strategic, government including societal, not-for-profit PSUs and commercial to form a basis for allocation and pricing of transponders. 

At present, there are 12 INSAT/GSAT satellites in orbit, out of which 10 are communication satellites and two are meteorological satellites. In INSAT/GSAT satellite system there are 41 government users and 59 non-government users are utilising the capacity in C band, extended C band and Ku band to the extent of 152 transponders (36 MHz equivalent each). 

At present, a uniform pricing policy is implemented for all categories of users. However, a multi-pricing policy for transponders is under the consideration of the government as INSAT systems transponders are utilised for non-profit purposes viz. governmental, societal, strategic as well as for commercial purposes.