Enterprises in India appear to be on a cautious approach mode when it comes to spending on ICT requirements with expansion as well as acquiring new access networks seem to be on the backburner. This trend is reflected in the uptake for VSAT services as per the figures released by regulator, TRAI for the period from Jan-March 2009.

The VSAT market grew by 7.58% on a quarterly basis. But when compared on a y-o-y basis, the sector appears to be in slowdown mode as corresponding growth during March 2008 was at 20.75%. Growth for December 2008 quarter was 0.63%. 7,205 new VSAT subscribers were adde din the March 2009 quarter. The total subscriber base now stands at 102,240.

Company-wise, Tatanet emerged as the highest growing company during the quarter with a growth rate of 60.82%. the company’s subscriber base increased from 5,217 in December 2008 to 8,390 by March 2009. Even though, Bharti Airtel’s subsidiary Bharti Broadband recorded a negative growth rate of 5.57%, the firm turned out to be the market leader when subscriber base of Bharti Airtel as well as Bharti Broadband are taken into consideration. Hughes attained the number 2 spot with subscriber base of 30,011.

HCL Comnet witnessed almost a stagnant growth rate. Essel Shyam and ITI could not add any new subscribers during the quarter.

PSU BSNL managed to record a growth rate of 16.40% with subscriber base increasing from 2,939 in December 2008 to 3,421 in March 2009.