India’s GSAT-11 to provide broadband connectivity in rural areas

The Union Cabinet has given a nod for the procurement of launch equipment and other services for the GSAT-11 spacecraft, which shall help provide broadband to rural areas through satellite-based VSAT technology, the government said through a notificationissued to the Press Information Bureau. The entire project comes at a cost of Rs 1,117 crore and is currently being developed by Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO). It will be ready for launch by the end of this year.

The satellite will be prepared to launch after procurement of a launch vehicle from outside the country due to a heavy 5600 kg lift-off mass, the statement added. The ground segment of the project is also under construction and once completed, GSAT-11 will address rural communication requirements using a long-distance microwave frequency band called Ku-band.

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