ISRO is planning to build/import six-tonne ‘K’band satellite.

Objective:

• The K band will allow higher and faster data transmission on the Internet by at least 2-3 times what ISRO satellites offer at present
• It will suit VSAT operators who support this traffic.
• K band transponder can accommodate far more users more efficiently than ISRO’s older Ku band satellites.

2010:

• ISRO sent up GSAT-4 with a K band transponder. However, its homegrown GSLV launcher failed.
• ISRO also built a K-band satellite, called HYLAS-1 (or Highly Advanced Satellite) for a fee for British operator Avanti in a tie-up with Europe’s Astrium.