Mana TV: The First Ku Band Based Educational Network In India
- Paper number
IAC-07-E1.3.07
- Author
Mr. Rama Rao Veluri, Society for Andhra Pradesh Network (SAPNET), India
- Coauthor
Mr. Parthasaradhi TV, India
- Year
2007
- Abstract
The Mana TV bouquet of satellite channels represents the first educational venture of its kind in the country, based on Ku band. This network started in the year 2000 as a result of a joint initiative of ISRO and the Government of Andhra Pradesh. Since then the network has grown in phases and now comprises five TV channels devoted to educational and social sector programming for the state of AP. The system concept of the Mana TV network has been extended nationwide subsequently, when the Edusat project came into being in the year 2004. The paper outlines the historical genesis of the Mana TV network, the factors underlying the choice of Ku band, the technical configuration of the Hub and the Nodes, and the provisions made for return channel communications for interactivity. Plans which are underway for technical up-gradation of the network and the value additions envisaged by supplementing the network with terrestrial broadband communications have also been discussed. The paper opines that networks of this kind can be gainfully employed for launching full-fledged educational programmes in the virtual mode to help close the widening gap between the educational demand and supply.
- Abstract document