Communication Networks

Communication is the transfer of information from one person or place to another. Over time, humans have moved from very basic methods — beating drums, sending smoke signals, or using fast runners and animals like horses, camels, and pigeons — to highly advanced electronic systems. In the earliest days, the same means used for transport were also used for communication. The invention of the post office, telegraph, printing press, telephone, and satellite has made communication far faster and easier. Science and technology have brought a revolution in this field.

On the basis of scale and quality, modes of communication in India are divided into two broad categories: personal communication systems and mass communication systems.

Personal Communication System

The most effective and advanced personal communication system today is the internet. It is widely used in urban areas. The internet allows a user to establish direct contact with others through email and gives access to a vast world of knowledge and information. It is increasingly used for e-commerce and for carrying out money transactions. Think of the internet as a huge central warehouse of data, with detailed information on countless items. The network provided by the internet and email offers efficient access to information at a comparatively low cost, enabling the basic facilities of direct communication.

Mass Communication System

Mass communication reaches a large audience at the same time. India has three major mass communication systems: radio, television, and satellite.

Radio

Radio broadcasting in India began in 1923 with the Radio Club of Bombay. It gained immense popularity very quickly and changed the socio-cultural life of people, soon finding a place in almost every household. Seeing its influence, the government brought radio under its control in 1930 under the Indian Broadcasting System. This was renamed All India Radio in 1936 and then Akashwani in 1957. All India Radio broadcasts a variety of programmes related to information, education, and entertainment. Special news bulletins are also broadcast during specific occasions, such as sessions of Parliament and state legislatures.

Television (T.V.)

Television broadcasting has emerged as the most effective audio-visual medium for disseminating information and educating the masses. T.V. services in India began in 1959, but were initially limited only to the National Capital (Delhi). After 1972, several other centres became operational. In 1976, television was delinked from All India Radio and given a separate identity as Doordarshan (DD). After the INSAT-IA (National Television – DD1) became operational, Common National Programmes (CNP) were started for the entire network, and its services were extended to backward and remote rural areas.

Satellite Communication

Satellites are a mode of communication in themselves, and they also regulate the use of other means of communication. The ability of satellites to provide a continuous and synoptic (broad, overall) view of a large area has made satellite communication vital for India, for both economic and strategic reasons. Satellite images are used for weather forecasting, monitoring natural calamities, and surveillance of border areas.

On the basis of configuration and purposes, India’s satellite system is grouped into two: …