THCOM 13 THB
-0.20 (-1.52%)
NXTDIGITAL AND THAICOM INK BINDING MOU FOR BROADBAND-OVER-SATELLITE AND RELATED SERVICES IN INDIA

NXTDIGITAL AND THAICOM INK BINDING MOU
FOR BROADBAND-OVER-SATELLITE
AND RELATED SERVICES IN INDIA

  • NXTDIGITAL LIMITED (NDL) and THAICOM PUBLIC COMPANY LIMITED, Thailand (Thaicom) today made a joint announcement of having signed a binding Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to form a strategic partnership to enter the Broadband-over-satellite market and related services in India.
  • Thailand’s Thaicom is one of the leading satellite operators in the world and NXTDIGITAL is the media and digital vertical of the Hinduja Group and India’s leading digital platforms company, connecting over 5 million customers across 4,500 pin codes.
  • The partnership focuses on providing broadband-over-satellite and related services in India. This will include a possibility for future deployment of additional capacity on a new state-of-art software defined high-throughput satellite over India, to augment the existing operational IPSTAR-1 satellite.
  • MOU includes a discussion on possible partnership in OneOTT Intertainment Limited (OIL), the broadband subsidiary of NDL and India’s third largest private ISP with over 1 million customers.
  • MOU includes global emerging solutions for India ranging from Satellite AI solutions comprising space-based data technologies for agriculture and natural resource management to public WIFI and drones for augmenting rural digital solutions. NDL and Thaicom will also look to setting up a Centre for Excellence to develop new satellite and related digital based technologies using artificial intelligence and analytics
  • Service will focus on providing cost-effective and quality broadband to not only rural markets but also underserved regions facing connectivity challenges. The BoS (Broadband over Satellite) solution will give a boost to delivering education, information, entertainment, health and other services to these markets.

Bangkok, Thailand, 31 May 2022 – NXTDIGITAL LIMITED (NDL) and THAICOM PUBLIC COMPANY LIMITED, Thailand (Thaicom) today made a joint announcement of having signed a binding Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to form a strategic partnership to enter the Broadband-over-satellite market and related services in India. The MOU envisages a partnership that includes deployment of BoS systems on India-focused capacity, which could be deployed on future additional capacity on state-of-art software-defined high throughput satellite and augment the existing IPSTAR-1 that is the first broadband satellite in the world and operational over India since several years. Partnership could also be in OneOTT Intertainment Limited (OIL), the broadband subsidiary of NDL and India’s third largest private ISP with over 1 million customers and a presence in 150+ cities and towns.

Thaicom and NDL will look to provide BoS services immediately on IPSTAR-1 – focusing mainly on the rural footprint of India, comprising 60% of NDL’s customers, through the only HITS (Headend-In-The-Sky) platform in India. The BoS service will focus on providing cost-effective and quality broadband and will give a tremendous boost to delivering education, information, entertainment, health and other services to these markets. It will also look to complement the existing broadband delivery technologies and broadband penetration of NDL’s broadband subsidiary, OIL. The details of partnership elements are being discussed and will be documented in definitive agreements between Thaicom and NDL.

Says Patompob (Nile) Suwansiri, Director and Chief Executive Officer at Thaicom Public Company Limited “We are delighted to ink this MOU with NXTDIGITAL, which is easily one of the best digital platforms groups in India. With our global satellite experience spanning nearly three decades and NXTDIGITAL’s distribution expertise, vast footprint and broadband penetration – we believe that together, we are best suited to delivering broadband over satellite and related services to India, not just at a high level of quality of service, but also cost-effectively. Our engagement and investments reflect our commitment to India, where we have had a presence since 2002, offering broadband over satellite since then.”

Says Vynsley Fernandes, Managing Director and CEO at NXTDIGITAL Limited “We have always taken our commitment to the digital India mission very seriously. With HITS, we now cover over 4,500 pin codes across India with a significant presence in not just rural India but also areas where terrain poses challenges to connectivity. Through this engagement with Thaicom, a global leader in satellite technology, we will look to facilitate digital inclusion by extending satellite-based broadband connectivity and services not only to our customers there but also to underserved and other poorly connected markets.”

Thaicom and NDL will also develop and offer a myriad of global emerging digital solutions – critical to the government’s vision and mission of a resilient digital India. These solutions, already developed and deployed by Thaicom elsewhere in the world include satellite artificial intelligence solutions comprising space-based data technologies for agriculture, disaster relief & natural resource management to public WIFI systems and drones for augmenting rural digital solutions. With India’s significant dependence on agriculture and the incumbent challenges of crop management – the satellite-based AI will help by providing mission-critical data on tap.

Both companies have also agreed to set up a Centre for Excellence to develop new satellite and related digital based technologies through artificial intelligence and analytics – leveraging deep-tech research and development that both companies are known for.

NXTDIGITAL also announced that Yugal Sharma, Chief Executive Officer of the broadband subsidiary OneOTT Intertainment Limited has chosen to move on after a successful six-year stint; to pursue new ventures in the field of sports and sports management. Yugal is credited with having built up the broadband business into India’s third largest private ISP, with over 1 million subscribers. A veteran of the broadband industry, Yugal, who is also a passionate sportsperson, has been instrumental in building up the various verticals, especially the innovative and highly successful Strategic Partnership Model.

Said AK Das, Chairman of OneOTT Intertainment Ltd. “Yugal has played a pivotal role in the significant growth of OIL through developing innovative strategies and business models over the years. Today, OIL is a highly respected brand across 150 cities and towns and associated with a very high quality of service. Much of that credit is attributed to Yugal’s leadership from the front, propelling the brand into India’s top 3 private ISPs. We take this opportunity to thank him and wish him all the very best as he explores new ventures.”

 

Media Contact:

Corporate Communications

Tel: +66 2-596-5060

Email: [email protected] / [email protected]

 

Share this news: