Government today said it is working towards making the country a global teleport hub to allow uplinking and downlinking of channels from India keeping in view the geographical location of the country and cheaper manpower. Speaking at a function in New Delhi, Information and Broadcasting Secretary, Uday Kumar Varma said that this initiative will help to bring in foreign investment, better technology and sustainable employment opportunities. He said there are 89 permitted teleports in the country. Mr. Verma said that the TRAI in its recommendations on policy issues related to uplinking and downlinking of television channels, has also recommended that the country should be developed as a teleport hub.

Talking about digitization, the Secretary said that

Mumbai had achieved 100 percent digitisation

while Delhi and Kolkata were not far behind at 88 and 82
percent respectively. While, Chennai has achieved 85 percent digitization. AIR correspondent reports that government has set 31st of this month as deadline for complete digitisation in four metros.