BSNL satellite phone service for all in 2 years

“We have applied to the International Maritime Organisation. It will take some time to complete the process. In 18-24 months, we will be in a position to open satellite phones service for citizens in a phased manner,” BSNL Chairman and Managing Director Anupam Shrivastava said. 

Satellite phones will able to work in any part of the country, even inside flights and ships, as they depend on signals directly from satellites located about 35,700 kms above the earth.

Traditional mobile networks cover around 25-30 kms around towers and can transmit signals to phones placed equal to or below the height of the tower. BSNL has started satellite phone service using INMARSAT service which will be initially offered to government agencies and later extended to citizens in a phased manner. The service will cover areas where no networks are present and be provided by INMARSAT which has 14 satellites.