Satellite Phones in India Might Be a Reality Soon, Courtesy BSNL!

What happens when your regular mobile phone network fails you and there’s no way to reach anyone?

You might feel like your life is over or maybe being a little less dramatic, blame it on the service provider.

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Well, the launch of satellite phones by BSNL should put you out of that misery.

Yes! You read that right.

A satellite phone service offered by the International Mobile Satellite Organisation (INMARSAT), the initial provision will be extended only for government agencies, and later to citizens.

To shed greater light, a satellite telephone or a satphone is a type of mobile phone that connects to orbiting satellites instead of regular terrestrial telecomm towers, that can provide similar facilities like voice, SMS and low-bandwidth internet access.

“Agencies handling disasters, state police, railways, Border Security Force(BSF) and other government agencies will be given the phones in the first phase,” Telecom Minister Manoj Sinha said, according to The Economic Times.

Covering areas where networks have no reach, the service will be provided by 14 satellites of INMARSAT. Currently, satellite phones in India are provided by Tata Communications Ltd, which inherited the licence from Videsh Sanchar Nigam Limited (VSNL).

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“The services of TCL will be phased out by June 30, 2017,” said BSNL Chairman and Managing Director Anupam Shrivastava.

While there are about 4,600 connections in the country, the satellite phone calls are expected to range between Rs 30-35 in the first phase.

However, it will be a little while until the service is extended to the people.

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“In 18 to 24 months, we will be in a position to open satellite phones service for citizens in a phased manner,” the BSNL chairman added.

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