Port Blair, April 6: Telecommunication requirements for A & N Islands were being catered to by two Satellites of ISRO i.e. INSAT 3C and INSAT 3E, with more than 70% of the bandwidth on INSAT 3C. ISRO has provided 345 Mbps bandwidth to BSNL for all telephone, mobile and internet services in the A & N Islands through these satellites. However, on 23 March 2014 it was reported that one of the two satellites INSAT 3E had developed signs of ageing and would go out of service any time. As soon as the matter was brought to the notice, Lt. Governor, Lt Gen (Retd) A.K. Singh immediately took up the matter with the Ministry of Communication and Planning Commission for making immediate alternative arrangements through another satellite, and to resolve the matter at the earliest.
Subsequently, on 3 April, 2014, INSAT 3E became unavailable for any further service. Lt. Governor then immediately spoke to the Cabinet Secretary, Union Home Secretary and Chairman, ISRO over the telephone, urging them to immediately make alternate arrangements to ensure uninterrupted telecommunication services in the Islands. He also held high level meetings with the Chief Secretary, Chief General Manager, BSNL and other senior officers and personally monitored the situation continuously. As a result, 80% of the bandwidth affected due to the failure of INSAT 3E has now been restored through INSAT 3C and follow-up measures are being taken on a war footing to restore the remaining bandwidth.
The Lt. Governor has also requested ISRO and the Department of Telecommunication for allocation of additional satellite transponders to augment the bandwidth so that the quality of telecommunication improves in these islands.
In response to these efforts, ISRO has now informed that it is going to make available additional capacities through other satellites which are on the panel of ANTRIX. BSNL has been urged to expedite their action in this regard.
