Worldspace Incorporated, one of the world's leaders in satellite-based digital radio service, would invest $150 million in the next two years in India.
The move is line with the railway ministry's efforts to compete with low-cost airlines.
Nasdaq-listed satellite radio service provider, Worldspace, has said it will expand content offering for Indian subscribers and focus on regional markets in its efforts to increase customers in the country.
Terming India as the largest focus market in its global operations, WorldSpace on Monday said it has tied up with Indian manufacturer UMS to develop a 'WorldSpace receiver' which would break the existing price barrier of Rs 4,000.
The satellite radio service, which had gained a small but dedicated audience with its wide-ranging, advertisement-free programming, will be back as early as September, says Seetal R Iyer, head of content and co-founder of Timbre Media.
The music composer is now a brand ambassador for the radio service.
As part of the partnership, Airtel Digital TV - the DTH arm of Bharti Airtel - will offer the radio service on its iMusicSpace application.
WorldSpace was first launched in Bangalore and therefore, is headquartered in New Delhi. Hence, the awareness levels and adoption is highest in this market and other southern markets. Metro markets like Delhi and Mumbai have also shown a high level of traction. Going forward, eastern and central India presents an opportunity for WorldSpace. WorldSpace does not manufacture its own radio sets. They are manufactured by contract manufacturers.
The government is also considering disallowing WorldSpace the use of repeater network.
Delphi Corporation, an automotive systems and components manufacturer, On Monday announced an agreement with WorldSpace Inc, the global satellite radio broadcaster, to make mobile satellite radio available in India for the first time.
The website of Indian Space Research Organisation's commercial arm Antrix Corporation Limited was reportedly hacked on Sunday and the space agency said efforts are on to set it right.
ISRO Chairman Dr A S Kiran Kumar said there was no information loss following the alleged hacking of the website of the space organisation's commercial arm Antrix Corporation Ltd.
Vanita Kohli-Khandekar on why Indian media and entertainment quality will remain a national gripe and why we, the viewers, are not blame free.
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