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BY A CORRESPONDENT
 April 9:
WorldSpace Radio has taken one more step in India,
with the launch of its Hyderabad operations.
Worldspace Satellite Radio is positioned as the
latest in digital radio technology, different from
the conventional AM/FM radio.
 Unlike conventional terrestrial
signal-based radio stations we are used to,
WorldSpace Radio is satellite-based. Based in
Washington DC, US, WorldSpace Radio owns and
operates its own satellites and provides radio
content in Asia and Africa. The two satellites are
Afristar (for Africa) and Asiastar (for Asia. Each
satellite sends out three beams, and each beam is
capable of carrying 40 digital audio channels.
Which means a WorldSpace Radio receiver hooked to
the satellite will be able to access about 120
radio channels with CD quality voice.
 WorldSpace is a patented technology
firm. The digital signal, as it is beamed down
from the WorldSpace Radio satellite is encrypted.
The radio receiver's chipset demodulates these
signals, putting out crystal-clear audio.
 A major chunk of WorldSpace Radio
content is made in-house. In India, some of the
local language radio channels available are
Farishta, Gandharva, Spandana, RM Radio, Sparsha
and Shruti.
 Besides in-house content, WorldSpace
Radio also has tie-ups with a variety of content
providers. So you can listen to BBC News, CNN,
Bloomberg and a bunch of international news
providers, besides a bouquet of music and sports
channels. Some of the WorldSpace Radio India
channels, (all of which run 24 hours a day) are
stations dedicated to Carnatic and Hindustani
music. Tune into MS Subbulakshmi and Semmangudi at
any time of the day! There is also a host of
international pop, jazz and rock stations
available. For any age and class, there is always
something attractive in WorldSpace Radio.
 Better be. Unlike conventional
radios, WorldSpace Radio receivers and
subscriptions come for a price. The receivers,
(shown left) cost about Rs 2800 and above, while
the annual subscription costs Rs 1200. For a
while, WorldSpace Radio was a free service in
India - now, it is not.
WorldSpace Radio receivers can be carried around,
though mobility is sometimes limited by access to
the satellite signal. Obstructions like buildings
and heavily forested areas can disrupt signal
reception. Technically, it can be carried if you
go boating too. However, the antenna may need
adjustment when you move across the satellite
beam.
 WorldSpace Radio is also planning to
introduce receivers suited for cars. There are
already some innovators who have rigged up their
WorldSpace Radios for use inside cars. We believe
the receivers have to be made totally portable to
tap the vast majority of the Indian audio-listener
market.
In India, unlike radio and TV, there is no policy
framework covering satellite radio, a relatively
upstart technology. Telecom Regulatory Authority
of India (Trai) the apex regulatory body for
telecom, radio and cable in India is reportedly
working on a consultation paper to prepare
guidelines for the sector. Meanwhile, there are
also reports that India's Department of Space (DoS)
is also working on a multimedia satellite platform
which can host satellite radio just the same way
as WorldSpace Radio. Since WorldSpace Radio is a
patented technology, others cannot use the same
devices or technology; newcomers will have to find
their own routes to similar audio success.
BY A CORRESPONDENT
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