McLEAN, Va.—Intelsat, operator of one of the world’s largest integrated satellite and terrestrial networks, became one of the first foreign satellite operators to receive approval from the Indian government to provide extensive satellite coverage directly to India’s broadcast media companies, a significant regulatory achievement the company says puts Intelsat on an accelerated path to offering new services and further India investment.

The company has secured authorization for four geostationary (GEO) satellites providing C-band coverage over India: the IS-17, IS-20, IS-36 and IS-39 satellites. The approved satellite fleet will primarily serve India’s dynamic broadcast media industry, enabling enhanced content delivery and distribution capabilities across the subcontinent and from India to other regions of the world.

“This approval represents a significant step forward in Intelsat’s contribution to India’s space commerce sector, a source of great national pride,” Gaurav Kharod, regional vice president for Asia Pacific at Intelsat, said. “Our extensive satellite network with four satellites covering the region will provide Indian broadcasters with reliable, high-quality connectivity solutions that meet their evolving needs. This authorization enables us to better serve our customers and contribute to India’s growing media landscape.”

Following the authorization from the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe), Intelsat won new business from three of India’s largest media companies. This new and expanded service will see Intelsat deliver its full portfolio of media content to viewers in India.

WASHINGTON—The FCC has issued a Report and Order aimed at modernizing the procedures and rules pertaining to the direct broadcast satellite service that is used for satellite TV delivery. This is the first time that the DBS licensing provisions have been updated in more than a decade.

The DBS service provides TV programming directly to consumers via satellites operating in geostationary orbit using the 12.2-12.7 GHz and 17.3-17.8 GHz frequency bands.

With the updated rules, the FCC says that DBS processing procedures will now be more in line with the streamlined processing procedures used for geostationary orbit fixed-satellite service satellites. The commission also believes that it will lead to increased use of spectrum and orbital resources, while also protecting existing consumers of satellite TV from interference to their service.

The Report and Order adopts a process for considering new DBS service applications on a “first come, first served” basis. It also applies the milestone and bond requirements for geostationary orbit fixed-satellite service to DBS services, extends the license term of non-broadcast DBS space stations from 10 to 15 years and ends the “freeze” on applications for DBS licenses.

Chairman Pai and all four FCC commissioners approved the Report and Order on Thursday, Sept. 26.