MUMBAI: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) aims to hand over Insat 4A's 12 Ku-band transponders to Tata Sky on 1 February. It is in the process of bringing the satellite to the right polarisation position. 
"We should be able to hand over the Ku-band transponders to Tata Sky on 1 February. Fine tuning of the ground antenna to match the correct polarisation is going on. This is a routine exercise as there are already a set of users at 83 degree East," said Isro contract management and legal services director SB Iyer.
Tata Sky, the 80:20 joint venture between the Tata Group and Star India, plans to launch its direct-to-home (DTH) service in May-June. Speaking on the progress of the launch plans, Tata Sky CEO Vikram Kaushik said it was as per schedule. "We will do extensive testing after the transponders are handed over to us. Our launch plans are on track," he added.
Along with the Ku-band transponders, the 12 C-band transponders will also be activated, Iyer said. As already reported by Indiantelevision.com, Private teleport operators Essel Shyam, Noida Software Technology Park (NSTP) and Lamhas have booked Insat 4A's C-band transponders to facilitate transmission on multiple channels per carrier (MCPC) mode.
Among the other takers are Kerala's Malayala Manorama and news channel Indiavision. While Manorama has booked half a transponder, Indiavision has gone for a quarter. 
According to Iyer, Indiavision will be using 9 MHz space of one C-band transponder for its proposed entertainment channel, Indiavision Yes. The channel is expected to launch in the first half of this year.