Channels may be told to free bandwidth for WiMax

Television channels like Aaj Tak, Star Ananda, Maa TV and Kairali may soon have to go off the air.

This is because the government is considering allocating satellite services bandwidth on the Insat series for wireless services such as WiMax, in which case broadcasters will have to vacate the extended C-band.

Over 60 channels now broadcast on extended C-band transponders in the Insat series.

WiMax services enable consumers to access wireless broadband services in a radius of 20-22 km. However, the frequency used for WiMax services tend to interfere with the frequency range of C-band transponders that are being used by broadcasters.

"The largely unconsidered implications of the proposed rules by the government could be catastrophic for news broadcasters that use the lower end of the C-band spectrum," said ST Davies, CEO, Cable & Satellite Broadcasting Association of Asia.

Meanwhile, foreign satellite company IntelSat said India would face shortage in both C-band and Ku-band transponders in future.