TATA - STAR DTH venture signs lease agreement with ISRO Company name changed to Tata Sky Ltd

Mumbai, November 14, 2005: Today, the TATA STAR DTH venture crossed two major milestones in its preparation to launch direct-to-home (DTH) services in the country. Formerly called Space TV, the company has been re-christened Tata Sky Ltd. This world-class DTH service will be marketed under the brand name Tata Sky. The company also announced that it has signed an agreement with the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) to lease all 12 ku-band transponders on the INSAT 4A satellite. These transponders will be used by Tata Sky to provide its DTH services to viewers all across India.

Commenting on this occasion, Mr. K. R. Sridhara Murthi, Executive Director, Antrix Corporation, the marketing and export arm of the Department of Space and ISRO said, "We are very happy to partner with Tata Sky in their endeavour to bring about a revolution in television-viewing to India. The INSAT 4A satellite has been developed keeping the local requirements in mind and will enable Tata Sky to provide superior coverage all across India."

Vikram Kaushik, CEO, Tata Sky Ltd., said, "Tata Sky is proud to use an Indian satellite to deliver its service to all television viewers in India."

"We are excited that our DTH service will be beamed from ISRO's INSAT4A, the most advanced and high-powered ku-band communication satellite in the region. This will enable Tata Sky to offer superior picture and sound quality with a wider range of channels, giving us a competitive edge in the market," Vikram Kaushik added.

The transponders leased on INSAT 4A will allow Tata Sky to transmit around 160 channels in digital quality to every Indian home, however remote it may be.

The TATA-STAR DTH service is set to become India's largest digital television platform, offering consumers a wide array of programming choices with interactive features and superior picture and sound quality.

About ISRO

ISRO (Indian Space Research Organization) was launched in 1969 and it has set up established space systems like the INSAT for telecommunication, television broadcasting and meteorological services, and the Indian Remote Sensing Satellites (IRS) for resources monitoring and management. The prime objective of ISRO has been to develop space technology and its application to various national tasks. ISRO has also developed the satellite launch vehicles PSLV and GSLV to place these satellites in the required orbits.

About Tata Sky Ltd.

Tata Sky Ltd. is a TATA - STAR joint venture, established in 2004, committed to build a state-of-the-art Digital infrastructure for Pay-Television in India. Tata Sky plans to introduce a nationwide Direct-to-Home (DTH) service that would allow it to reach every Indian home, however remote it may be. The service plans to offer its subscribers the best of cable channels, new innovative programming and interactive services.