How will VSATs compare with the other modes of communication available?
Well, VSATs are ideally suited for new kinds of applications, new kinds of business processes. Take the Delhi, Bombay and other important stock exchanges. The joy of online trading would not be available without VSAT networks. Online trading has created a whole lot of wealth. Just imagine the earlier scenario where there was little transparency and trust. Even banks would hold on to enormous floats while corporates paid a price. Now banks can efficiently transfer funds at great speed. Now coming to the comparison, there are three points that I would like to highlight. One, VSAT networks are reliable. Terrestrial networks have point to point connectivity and therefore tend to be unreliable. The VSAT networks take the connection to the last mile and are hence more reliable. Then there is the ‘ubiquity’ factor. Most of the companies in India have branches and plants in rural areas where there is little infrastructure. The VSAT networks can surpass such infrastructural bottlenecks at great
