The ideal communications network for a nation’s power grid requires multiple transport technologies and standards, including terrestrial fixed and wireless broadband, all coalescing around an IP backbone. However, a terrestrial-only architecture is vulnerable to disasters on the ground, whether natural or man-made, and cannot alone ensure fail-safe operations. To achieve this means employing a true alternate communications path, which only satellite provides. The resulting hybrid terrestrial and satellite network can realize the high reliability and availability demanded across the entire grid, including the necessary combination of reach, capacity, and bandwidth scalability.

As a case in point, Hughes Communications India, Ltd. (HCIL) was recently awarded two significant contracts in association with the Restructured Accelerated Power Development & Reforms Programme. Hughes will provide Jaipur Vidyut Vitran Nigam Limited with broadband satellite services connecting 825 locations in Rajasthan, and will deploy a network of 713 satellite terminals for the five utility companies in Karnataka (BESCOM, CESCOM, MESCOM, GESCOM and HESCOM). In all, 47 distribution companies (DISCOMs) across 29 states will benefit through Hughes technology solutions that will assist them in their initiatives to cut line losses and increase grid productivity in India.