Hughes wins Smart Grid Contracts in Power Sector

Hughes Communications India Ltd. has announced two significant contract wins in relation to the Restructured Accelerated Power Development & Reforms Programme (R-APDRP) for the states of Rajasthan and Karnataka. The first contract was awarded for Jaipur Vidyut Vitran Nigam Limited (Jaipur Discom) in Rajasthan, under which Hughes will provide broadband satellite services connecting 825 locations. The second contract was awarded for the five utility companies in Karnataka (BESCOM, CESCOM, MESCOM, GESCOM and HESCOM) to deploy a network of 713 satellite terminals where Hughes is the secondary network bandwidth service provider.

The mandate for Hughes across both states is to expand the R-APDRP solutions platform to urban as well as rural areas. The Rajasthan and the Karnataka agreements have been signed on for 3 years and 5 years, respectively.

Premal Gandhi, Director - Sales, HCIL, said, "We are extremely pleased to have been chosen as a solutions provider to enhance grid efficiency. Indian utilities are now realizing that the smart grid's promise of ubiquitous, real-time information is not feasible without satellite broadband in the networking technology mix. Forty-seven (47) DISCOMs across 29 states will benefit through our technology solutions that will assist them in their initiative to cut line losses and increase grid productivity."