The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has recently granted license to Hughes Communications India Limited, the world’s largest VSAT service provider, to operate and offer National Long Distance Services (NLD) from the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), Government of India.

This will help the company further strengthens Hughes’ presence in India would and would allow Hughes to provide backhaul services to Telecom service providers of Cellular (2G/3G), Media & FM service providers and Broadband fixed & Wireless services (LTE/BWA). In addition, this would also enable Hughes to provide converged services thus enhancing its Digital Media portfolio.

Hughes cellular backhaul solutions have been specifically developed for mobile operators to enable cost-effective service expansion into rural markets. These services are delivered by the HCIL Managed Network Services platform.

“Cellular and WiMax operators in India are increasingly looking to expand into rural markets that are often located in difficult-to-serve areas where terrestrial fiber or microwave services are not readily available to support the backhaul links for these remote locations. Satellite, with its ability to rapidly deploy broadband infrastructure, can play a key role in enabling these services. TDMA-based satellite solutions can be especially cost effective for these locations particularly when the traffic is light and/or intermittent. I therefore see this as a triple win situation”, Speaking on the occasion, said Mr. K. Krishna, CTO, HCIL.

“Operators can now grow their businesses and build revenue while complying with their universal service obligations (USO). The government also meets its goal of furthering its policy to increase the penetration of technology—in this case, cellular connectivity—throughout the country. And people in remote areas can improve communication to the outside world and enrich their lives. Leveraging our new NLD license, Hughes is committed to being a partner-of-choice to national telecom service providers and help them cost-effectively optimize their transport networks”, he added.