India Broadband Forum

krishn

just come to know that airtel will give broadband services through satellite dth services. anybody know abt this? please let me know.

thanks

just4kix

It is possible but details are not known as yet.

kundanbhakuni

Hi,

This is to clarify that Airtel Digital TV is currently not providing any broadband access through DTH, however the icon you see in EPG (Electronic Program Guide) is built in for future compatibility. However, Airtel DTV is NOT planning any broadband over DTH in the near future. This I can confirm (since I have worked for ADTV launch) and if you have heard by a sales agent then it's just a ploy to see STB.


Please contact me if you if you think you have any mis information regardgin Airtel Digital TV, and I will be glad to give you right information after confirming with the Airtel DTV department.


Happy to help,


Kundan Bhakuni

Bharti Learning Systems

Chitrapriya

airtel dth available in which satelite ?

just4kix

Check their website. They will have the details published (most likely in FAQ section). They may also mention the dish angle, orientation, etc.

Admin

Are you planning to blow it away?

Just kidding...

What would you do with that info... just out of interest.

kundanbhakuni

INSAT4CR is the sattelite which carries Airtel DTH transponders

You can ask me any questions about Airtel DTH... I work for them :P

mickey

yes i heard too....

yes its going to happen in some months..but first they will like to have a big audience first...as all people are not liking airtel's

amit_bundela

Guys, Guys
I want to make it clear that the technology behind DTH plaform doesn't support to relay internet feed through it.
Reason???
simple, The internet requires a two way connection (TCP/IP based, connection oriented) through which you send (upload) and recieve the data(download). But DTH is designed as a one way connection. The DTH operators only send the digital TV signal to your STB and finally to TV through Dish Antenna. Its not possible to send the signals through your Dish Antenna to satellite.

prasannaganesh

exactly.i guess no more explanation needed.

simsandy43

Not heard something like that. very strange to hear that internet services from Dth. Well wait for this time.....

kundanbhakuni

I am sorry but I disagree, DTH platform by Airtel and SKY both work on two way communication. For example the interactive features you use requires information to be sent like order a Pizza or book a movie ticket which is supportd by AIRTEL LIVE which supports two way communication. Therefore, I would like to present it this way that though tehnically it is possible to provide internet through DTH, broadband is not possible because currently the two way communication support is provided by GPRS (general packet radio service) type connectivity which work on 24-56kb/sec. Airtel might provide internet over DTH in the future if compatible EPG (electonic program guide) are developed, however the STB's would cost a fortune and with no competition currently providing the same service Airtel will surely not increase its cost currently when it is still trying to reach break even point and hurt it's own data card and broadband market. Therefore, for few years do not expect internet over DTH in India with Airtel

regards

amit_bundela

Kundan Bhai
I am totaly disagree. There is no such upstream in DTH platforms.
Whatever interactive features you are getting on AIRTEL DTH are push technology based.
Even all over the World, no DTH service provider is offering internet through the DTH platform, simply becuase the technology behind DTH doesn't allow it.
Only VSAT technology allows to use two way communication through satellite and is used to access internet through communication satellites.

Read this: (copied form Wikipedia)

VSAT

A common type of satellite dish is the very small aperture terminal (VSAT). This provides two way satellite internet communications for both consumers and private networks for organisations. Today most VSATs operate in Ku band, C band is restricted to less populated regions of the world. There is a move which started in 2005 towards new Ka band satellites operating at higher frequencies, offering greater performance at lower cost. These antennas vary from 74cm to 120cm in most applications though C-band VSATs may be as large as 2.4m.

Full article here
h**p://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Satellite_dish


Read this also

h**p://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Satellite_television

ag_prasun

i have never heard of vsat being used for watching tv... thats a new one.

and what about iptv from mtnl?? it provides internet as well as television through the same channel..

panchabhut

IPTV is a totally different technology altogether. DTH is wireless satellite based whereas IPTV is wired.
In Delhi&NCR, Airtel has also started IPTV with 135 channels, unlimited internet & Landline over the same wires.

amit_bundela

I never told you guys that VSAT is designed to view satellite TV channels.

kundanbhakuni

I agree on this front, however I think I was not clear enough earlier...

I never said DTH on same platform can provide internet access through EPG, however it is possible through the GPRS/EDGE (enhanced data rate for GSM evolution) technology if compatible STB and EPG are provided. However, technology if combined can give net access through DTH which is a possibility in the furute. Howrever, no company will do it as it will require amazing number of BTS (base transiver station) and BSC (base switch controller) which will financially not be viable. However, Airtel can provide it as it already has mobile networking system in place with BTS and BSC with edge support. But Airtel won't do it cause they already have I&FR (installation & field repair) for broadband and mobility for GPRS/EDGE. However, in the future is SKY decides to set up amazing number of towers (which will e quiet stupid ofcourse) to provide GPRS, Airtel DTH in competition retaliation might do the same... but if SKY in India with TATA has recruited some MBA's then for sure they won't go to the extreme step of doing it, hence if you are relishing at the prospect of surfing internet with your DTH then dream on cozz it's NOT going to happen in the near future.

Conclusion:

Is it possible to provide internet via DTH : YES
Does Airtel have the technoology: Not currently but with EPG upgrade and compatible STB it is possible since base infrastructure is ready
Does TATA SKY have the technology: NO
So in the near future I will get internet over DTH from Airtel : NO!!!
Maybe TATA SKY will give this facility : HA HA HA NOOOOO!!!
So what shall I do : Please get broadband, dial up or data card... you can also go to a cyber cafe


rgds

amit_bundela

Hi Kundan Bhakuni
Now you are much more clear this time.
You mean to say DTH service provider will use Download stream through satellite and Upload stream through GPRS.
But what about the latency??? and also dependability is on two different kind of systems.
And what will be the benefit, GPRS is a commercially available wireless internet service.
Why one will use the combined DTH and GPRS technology for internet??? When 3G, WiMAX & HSCSD are already available in our country.

I already told you guys if you want internet access through satellite, use VSAT.
I think its a ridiculous idea, may be cooked by some half brain peoples on the discussion forums.

kundanbhakuni

It's a very fair point you made. I will try to answer them:

Will latency be an issue? : YES... with GPRS and even EDGE latency will be an issue and very inconvenient for the customer, hence no one will give that service till they really have to because of some stupid decisions to provide internet over DTH with this methodology. When 3G is around then latency will not be an issue but then again it's a far cry in India. I only said it is possible, but you are absolutely right latency will make it a real bad experience with the current methodology if it is used.

Why would someone want or wish for internet access through DTH when all other features available? : Simple reason is interactivity through your television, it will be very convenient to browse for people who just seek information from the net. No seperate hardware required, no switching on of various buttons required, no this and that more or less. However, for more interactive users what you suggested is absolutely right... GO WIFI ... also if anyone is at Delhi now you can get Triple play which gives you a package of IPTV, broadband and landline at very good package. For the same please visit Airtel's website.

I already told you guys if you want internet access through satellite, use VSAT. : This statement is absolutely correct and if you get pleasure thinking you are browsing internet through sattelite VSAT is your best bet.

Admin

kundanbhakuni Very well said and you seem to have covered almost everything with nothing more to add to it really... Just one thing... IN Scotland in far off places where there was no broadband they had some kind of dish thing and it was combined with a dial up connection to get a downstream speed or upto 512kbps... dont know if thats what dth internet connection is..