Hughes Communications has been awarded the contract to deploy a network of 2,880 VSATs for State Bank of India (SBI) to connect its off-site ATMs across the country. Valued at Rs 22.5 crore and spread over five years, the contract includes deployment of a turnkey network that encompasses system integration, satellite bandwidth and network management.
As a managed network service provider, Hughes will offer secure VSAT-based connectivity to SBI with backhaul to the bank's data centre and disaster recovery (DR) locations. This project is a part of SBI's ambitious 25,000 ATM project. The bank plans to double its ATM base from 12,250 ATMs to 25,000 ATMs by March 2010. In addition, 2,000 ATMs are to be installed by its Associate Banks (AB).
All AB can now place order directly with Hughes for their VSAT deployment as well. Under this contract, Hughes would provide connectivity to kiosk machines that would be co-located along with the ATMs to provide customers the option to know their SBI account details and book railway tickets. Both the functionality and the number of these machines may be enhanced in the coming future.
Speaking about the deal, Shivaji Chatterjee, Vice President, Enterprise, Hughes Communications India, said, "We are pleased to strengthen our longstanding relationship with SBI. Satellite broadband has been the backbone of connectivity for the Indian banking industry. Hughes is proud to have connected more than 6,500 CBS branches and 4,500 ATMs/kiosk for various banks in the country using this technology. After completion of this project, total banking sites of Hughes would touch 15,000."
In a recent discussion paper by Reserve Bank of India—Need for Financial Incentives to Banks, use of satellite communication technology has been recommended to facilitate penetration of payment services to the rural areas which have been thus far denied basic facilities due to non availability of reliable communication links.
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