SATPHONE PROJECT OKAYED

The foreign Investment Promotion Board has green-signaled the Ispat group's proposed $800 million project to launch, operate and maintain a satellite for various satellite-based telephony and broadcast services. The group will own 51% of IndSat while 49% will be with a foreign partner. The partner has not been announced but speculation is that it is likely to be US company Hughes Electronics, which is also partnering it in its basic telecom project in the state of Maharashtra in India. The group is in conversation with the Indian Space Research Organisation for the satellite's launch. The Ispat group proposal will now have to be cleared by the Cabinet Committee on Foreign Investment.

SPACE: CHINA SIGNS UP FOR ASIASAT LAUNCH

Asia Satellite Telecommunications Co Ltd has signed up with China Great Wall Industry Corp, a subsidiary of China Aerospace Corp, to launch an Asiasat communications satellite. The satellite is to be launched from the Xichang launch centre in China using a Long March 3B rocket.

MIP ASIA TO HAVE INDIA FOCUS

Mip Asia '98, a television programming market, which is to be held in Singapore from 10-12 December, will have a session on the regulatory changes that broadcasters eyeing India or already operating in India are likely face. Speakers who have confirmed their presence include News Television India executive director Urmila Gupta, Discovery Communications managing director Kiran Karnik, Plus Channel boss Amit Khanna, Centre for Media Studies chairman Dr N. Bhaskara Rao and ESPN-Star Sports India head R.K. Singh. Other speakers at the India conference include Remi Hinduja of IndusInd Media and Sashi Kumar, president of Asianet Communications.

INTERNET: 1.5 MILLION SUBS PREDICTED BY 2000

The National Association of Software and Service Companies (Nasscom) says that the number of Internet subscribers in India is going to jump to 1.5 million by the turn of the century. Currently, India has 150,000 Internet subscribers and 450,000 users. The opening up of Internet services to private companies and the flagging off of their services within the next six months will give momentum to the Internet, the association says.

PRODUCTION HOUSE LOOKS FOR PARTNERS

Mumbai-based United Studios Ltd is looking for international firms to partner it in its foray in film production, both theatrical and television. Promoted by leading production house UTV, USL offers live telecast, animation, and post-production facilities to broadcasters, apart from producing software.

TWO MEDIA FIRMS LOOK TO BECOME ISPs

Modi Entertainment has applied to the department of telecommunications (DoT) for a licence to become an Internet Services Provider (ISP). Modi Entertainment is a partner with Disney in some of its businesses in India and is a distributor for sports channel ESPN. Calcutta-based cable TV MSO RPG Netcom is also considering becoming an ISP either directly or with sister firm RPG Sprint that has approached the DoT for a licence.