BSNL Satellite Phone Priced at ₹1.34 Lakh, Limited to Approved Users

Government of India-owned BSNL has launched a satellite phone in India priced at ₹1.34 lakh (₹1,34,166 including taxes). It is not for general consumers — only defence personnel, maritime operators, disaster response teams, mining/industrial workers, and approved adventure travellers can buy it, subject to authorisation from the Department of Telecommunications (DoT).

With this satellite-phone launch from BSNL, India’s satellite phone ecosystem now spans BSNL’s government‑backed device and global imports (Iridium, Inmarsat, Thuraya, Garmin, LeSat). Everyday consumers cannot buy them freely — only authorised sectors and individuals with DoT clearance.

Key Facts About BSNL Satellite Phone

• Price: ₹1,34,166 (inclusive of taxes)
• Connectivity: Direct satellite link (via Inmarsat/Viasat), bypassing mobile towers
• Features:
  • Satellite-based voice calls & SMS
  • SOS emergency support
  • Rugged design for harsh environments
  • Long battery life for extended field use

Who Can Buy It?

• Defence personnel: Army, Navy, Air Force, Border Security Forces
• Maritime operators: Ships, offshore rigs, sailors
• Disaster response teams: Emergency services, NGOs in flood/earthquake zones
• Mining & industrial workers: Remote sites without telecom infrastructure
• Adventure travellers: Pilgrims, trekkers, expeditions in remote regions

⚠️ Approval Required: Buyers must obtain DoT authorisation before purchase. Using an unapproved satellite phone in India is illegal and can lead to prosecution.

Tariff Plans (BSNL GSPS)

• Government Agencies:
  • Plan G1: ₹3,500/month → 16–20 minutes talktime
  • Annual GA: ₹38,500 → 240 minutes
• Commercial Users:
  • Plan C1: ₹11,670/month → 60 minutes
  • Annual CA: ₹64,185 → 360 minutes
• Extra Usage: ₹18–25 per minute/message after quota

Why Strict Regulation?

• Satellite phones bypass local telecom networks, making them harder to monitor
• Rules tightened after the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, where satphones were reportedly misused. 

Major Satellite Phones Available in India (2026)

Besides BSNL’s ₹1.34 lakh satellite phone, India’s market in 2026 offers several international models like Inmarsat IsatPhone 2, Iridium 9555, Thuraya XT‑Lite, Garmin inReach communicators, and newer regional devices such as LeSat F2. These are available through global suppliers (Amazon, Alibaba) but require Department of Telecommunications (DoT) clearance for legal use in India

• Inmarsat IsatPhone 2: Shockproof, waterproof, global coverage – Defence, maritime, industrial users
• Iridium 9555: Rugged, GPS interphone, pole‑to‑pole coverage – Government, oil & gas, explorers
• Thuraya XT‑Lite: Affordable entry‑level, voice/SMS – Remote workers, small maritime operators
• Garmin inReach Explorer+: GPS navigation, topo maps, SOS – Trekkers, adventure tourism
• Garmin inReach Mini 2: Lightweight, 2‑way messaging, SOS – Outdoor enthusiasts, hikers
• LeSat F2: Multi‑constellation (Beidou + GPS) – Regional operators, field researchers
• BSNL Satellite Phone: Direct sat‑link via Viasat, rugged build – Defence, disaster response, mining

Model	Price (USD)	Key Features	Target Users
Inmarsat IsatPhone 2	~$1,138	Shockproof, waterproof, global coverage	Defence, maritime, industrial
Iridium 9555	~$1,100	Rugged, GPS interphone, pole‑to‑pole coverage	Government, oil & gas, explorers
Thuraya XT‑Lite	~$850	Affordable entry‑level, voice/SMS	Remote workers, small maritime operators
Garmin inReach Explorer+	~$499	GPS navigation, topo maps, SOS	Trekkers, adventure tourism
Garmin inReach Mini 2	~$352	Lightweight, 2‑way messaging, SOS	Outdoor enthusiasts, hikers
LeSat F2	~$1,159	Multi‑constellation (Beidou + GPS)	Regional operators, field researchers
BSNL Satellite Phone	₹1,34,166	Direct sat‑link via Viasat, rugged build	Defence, disaster response, mining

Regulatory Notes

• DoT Authorisation Required: All satellite phones in India need clearance from the Department of Telecommunications
• Illegal Use Penalties: Possession without approval can lead to prosecution
• Approved Sectors: Defence, maritime, disaster response, mining, and authorised adventure travel

Market Trends in India (2026)

• Adventure Tourism Growth: Compact communicators like Garmin inReach are popular among trekkers
• Professional Demand: Iridium and Inmarsat dominate defence, maritime, and oil/gas sectors
• Regional Expansion: Devices like LeSat F2 show Asia‑Pacific’s push for lower‑cost satphones
• Consumer Shift: India’s SATCOM market valued at USD 3.77 billion in 2026, growing at 16% CAGR

Bottom Line

The BSNL satellite phone is a mission-critical device, not a consumer gadget. If you are in defence, maritime, disaster response, mining, or authorised adventure travel, you can apply through BSNL with DoT clearance. For everyday users, it is unavailable.

Satellite Tech to Guide Helicopters Safely

India has achieved a historic aviation milestone: the DGCA has approved the country’s first satellite‑guided helicopter landing system — the Private Point‑in‑Space (PinS) Instrument Approach Procedure — at Undavalli Heliport, Andhra Pradesh. This enables radar‑free, all‑weather operations, enhancing safety and accessibility for remote and challenging locations.

Satellites guide helicopter landings by providing precise 3D navigation — both horizontal and vertical — through GPS signals enhanced by Satellite‑Based Augmentation Systems (SBAS). This allows helicopters to safely approach a predefined “Point‑in‑Space” before transitioning visually to the landing site, even without radar or ground‑based aids.

Developed by the Airports Authority of India (AAI), the PinS (Point-in-Space) procedures use advanced satellite-based navigation technology to enable helicopters to conduct safe and precise instrument approaches to heliports that do not have conventional instrument landing infrastructure. This is particularly beneficial during adverse weather conditions and in areas where ground-based navigation aids are not available.. 

What Was Approved

• System: PinS Instrument Approach
• Location: Undavalli Heliport, Andhra Pradesh
• Developed by: Airports Authority of India (AAI)
• Approved by: Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA)
• Standards: Designed in line with DGCA regulations and ICAO requirements

Why It Matters

• Safety Boost: Enables precise instrument approaches even in poor visibility.
• Radar‑Free Operations: No need for costly ground‑based navigation aids.
• All‑Weather Accessibility: Expands helicopter services to remote, mountainous, or disaster‑prone areas.
• Operational Efficiency: Reduces delays and diversions during adverse weather.
• Applications: Emergency medical transport, disaster relief, tourism, offshore operations, corporate aviation.

Comparison: Traditional vs PinS

Traditional ILS/Radar	PinS Satellite Approach
Requires ground‑based transmitters	Satellite signals only
High installation/maintenance cost	Lower infrastructure cost
Limited to airports with ILS	Works at heliports without ILS
Precision in poor weather	Comparable precision, even in low visibility
Vulnerable if equipment fails	More resilient, radar‑free

Broader Context

• Linked Milestone: India demonstrated its first GAGAN‑based precision landing for commercial aircraft.
• Government Vision: Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu hailed PinS as “the beginning of a new era in helicopter operations.”
• Future Outlook: Approval at Undavalli expected to accelerate adoption nationwide.

Implications for India

• Safer connectivity: Remote regions like Himalayan shrines and disaster zones.
• Medical evacuation: Expansion of emergency services.
• Corporate aviation: Enhanced reliability for business travel.
• Cost efficiency: Reduced reliance on expensive radar infrastructure.

This development expected to pave the way for the development of similar PinS procedures across the country, benefiting emergency medical services, disaster relief operations, tourism, offshore activities, pilgrimage services, corporate aviation, and regional connectivity. It will enable safer Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations to remote and strategically important locations, improve operational reliability, and reduce weather-related disruptions.

Speaking on the development, Minister for Civil Aviation Shri Ram Mohan Naidu said, "The introduction of India's first PinS Instrument Approach Procedure marks the beginning of a new era in helicopter operations by significantly enhancing flight safety, operational efficiency and all-weather accessibility. I sincerely appreciate the coordinated efforts of all concerned agencies including the Airports Authority of India, DGCA and the state government of Andhra Pradesh in achieving this historic milestone. Our foremost priority is the adoption of modern technologies to make helicopter operations more reliable and more accessible across the country. We also recently concluded the first phase of this year's Char Dham helicopter operations successfully without any incident supported by upgraded technological infrastructure. Our commitment is to build a technology-driven and globally benchmarked helicopter ecosystem in India."

New Satellite-based Toll System on Highways Soon - Nitin Gadkari

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari announced that India will soon introduce a satellite-based toll collection system on highways. This system will use GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) and GPS technology to charge vehicles based on the distance traveled, eliminating the need for toll plazas.

The toll amount will be deducted directly from the user's bank account, making the process more efficient and reducing travel time. This innovation aims to modernize toll collection and improve the commuter experience on Indian highways.

The satellite-based system is being tested on the Bengaluru-Mysuru National Highway (NH-275) in Karnataka and the Panipat-Hisar National Highway (NH-709) in Haryana.

Once approved, the GNSS toll collection system will be rolled out in phases, initially covering major highways that connect key cities.

NHAI's subsidiary Indian Highways Management Company Limited (IHMCL) recently organised an international workshop to discuss the rolling out the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) based Electronic Toll Collection in India.

The new satellite-based toll system will work by leveraging GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) and GPS technology to track the distance traveled by vehicles on highways.

This system will utilize the country’s own satellite navigation systems, namely ISRO-developed GAGAN (GPS-Aided GEO Augmented Navigation) and NavIC (Navigation with Indian Constellation). These systems enhance the precision of satellite signals within India and extend coverage beyond its borders.

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is overseeing the implementation, and they have invited global companies to develop and implement the GNSS-based Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) system. This collaborative approach ensures that the technology and infrastructure are robust and efficient.

Below is a breakdown of how the upcoming satellite-based toll collection will function:

1. Vehicle Tracking: Each vehicle will be equipped with a GPS device that communictes with satellites to track its location and movement in real-time.

2. Distance Calculation: The system will calculate the distance traveled by the vehicle on toll roads.

3. Automatic Toll Deduction: Based on the distance traveled, the toll amount will be automatically calculated and deducted from the user's linked bank account or digital wallet.

4. No Toll Plazas: This system eliminates the need for traditional toll plazas, reducing congestion and travel time.

5. Real-Time Monitoring: Authorities will have access to real-time data for monitoring and managing traffic flow more efficiently.

This system aims to streamline toll collection, reduce manual intervention, and enhance the overall efficiency of highway travel.

The introduction of the satellite-based toll system aims to eventually phase out traditional toll plazas. However, this transition will likely happen gradually. Initially, both systems might operate in parallel to ensure a smooth transition and address any potential issues with the new technology.

Phasing out toll plazas completely will depend on the successful implementation and widespread adoption of the satellite-based system. Authorities will need to ensure that all vehicles are equipped with the necessary GPS devices and that the system is reliable and efficient.

ISRO, Xiaomi in Advanced Talks over NaVIC Chipsets, the Indian Version of GPS

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and Chinese mobile manufacturer Xiaomi are in advanced stage of talks on provision of chipsets that can support NaVIC, the Indian version of Global Positioning System (GPS), an official said here on Wednesday.

The NavIC-friendly chipset, being manufactured by the US chip manufacturer Qualcom, is designed to provide accurate position information service to users in India as well as the region extending up to 1500 km from its boundary, which is its primary service area, the ISRO has stated earlier.

"Qualcom has announced that its chip is going to have NaVIC and they are releasing it. Now almost Xiaomi is in agreement to have it. Xiaomi may launch its mobile phones with NavIC chipsets," the ISRO official said.

NavIC is the abbreviation of Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS).

According to the ISRO, the IRNSS was developed for terrestrial, aerial and marine navigation, disaster
management, vehicle tracking and fleet management and integration with mobile phones.

It would provide Standard positioning Service (SPS) to all users and Restricted Service (RS), which is an encrypted service for only authorised users.

The IRNSS is expected to provide a position accuracy of better than 20 metre in the primary service area.

The ISRO official said the international body 3GPP has formally approved usage of NavIC, allowing the ISRO to collaborate with Qualcom. PTI GMS

Some Common Garmin GPS Issues And Their Fixes

Garmin is a multinational company which deals in Global Positioning System (GPS) devices. Some of its best known are GPS 276C, GPS Map 585 Marine GPS, Montana 680 and GPSMAP 527. However, sometimes even the best can have flaws. You may face certain issues while handling your Garmin GPS. So, hereby, we have listed all possible Garmin GPS glitches and their fixes.

Below Are The Most Common Garmin GPS Issues:

• Worn-out logic board


• Depleted battery


• A fault in the power button


• Lost satellite signals


• Downloading and uploading issues


• Sound failure


• GPS locking up


• Sudden shut off while using


• Unresponsive touchscreen


• Fails to turn on


• Fails to detect the signals

Such problems can pull you out of your comfort zone and frustrate you out of nowhere. Moreover, the issues like poor display can cause the failure of Garmin Nuvi 1390 and Garmin GPS V. A loose or vibrating battery may cause your Garmin V to keep shutting down during the use. The lack of a line of sight or an error in setting the satellite data may cause your Garmin Sat Nav not to detect the satellite signals when it's powered on.

Nowadays, most of the people choose to install GPS systems in their vehicles, thanks to the advanced GPS navigation technology. But sometimes when you use your GPS unit, you may inevitably come across certain problems. Some of these issues require expert's hand while some of them can be easily resolved by the users themselves.

Here, we present some of the most frequent problems that you may face while using your Garmin GPS unit. Furthermore, you may also contact Garmin Customer service to get instant help and resolve related queries.

Below Are Some Garmin GPS Issues And Fixes:

1. Garmin GPS fails to turn on

• Make sure that the key is turned on to ACC or IGNITION position.


• Make sure that the power cord is connected with the GPS unit.


• Check the fuse behind the GPS or in the radio system. If it's blown, change it with a fresh one.


• Check for the battery. If it has a flat battery, replace it or charge it up.


• Also, check the battery of its remote control. If it is running out, replace it.

2. There is no sound output

• Make sure that the wires of both the speakers are connected properly to the GPS as well as to the speakers.


• Make sure that your device is not muted.


• Check all the left, right, rear and front speakers by pressing “OSD” on the remote or by adjusting the “Audio” option.

3. The Touchscreen is not calibrated

• Go the “Menu” option.


• Click on “Options”.


• Select “System”.


• Finally, choose “Calibration”.

4. Unresponsive Touchscreen

• Try calibrating the screen and hold on for few minutes as it may take some time after the calibration for the screen to respond.


• Still, if there is no response then you must call Garmin GPS Support and ask for immediate assistance.

5. There is no GPS reception

• Make sure that the GPS antenna is plugged in properly.


• Also, this issue may arise due to the possibility of no GPS reception in your area. Contact Garmin Supportin order to resolve this problem.

6. GPS device is unable to pinpoint the current location

Make sure that you have latest Garmin maps update as older maps do not cover some remote areas.

These were some of the common Garmin GPS V issues with their best possible fixes. We hope that with these basic solutions, you'll be easily be able to get rid of small GPS glitches and get back to your navigation.

In Next 20 Years, Parents Can Implant Their Kids with A GPS Microchip

Since a baby is a part of you, you always aspire to give them the best you can and make sure that they're sound and secure round the clock. And, if technology has its way, very soon you might be able to implant your baby with a GPS microchip so as to be able to keep a track on her every move.

Adrienne LaFrance in her article “Baby, Monitored" in the December issue of the Atlantic mentions that innovators might be able to make this scenario come true for parents in about another two decades. The article, a must read for parents and innovators alike, talks about how the worldwide tech industry has already began its baby steps in disrupting tears, nap time, dirty diapers and almost everything and anything that can be charted, visualised and measured when it comes to infants.

The article also talks about some innovative devices that have already debuted in the baby tech space like the Starling, a device that clips onto a baby’s clothes and then counts the number of words he or she hears (and, later on, says) each day. According to its creators, the technology is based on a research that had suggested that babies who hear more words wind up having better vocabularies and IQs than those who don't.

But, the one thing that has got a lot of parents worried is, if it's safe for a child to be exposed to so many tech devices so early in life, meaning if being in close proximity with all these devices will hamper the growth of their infants in someway or another. While having a-sleep-tracking bodysuit that can send alerts to a parent’s cellphone with a baby’s temperature sounds like a swell thing to have, but what is majorly terrifying is the fact that scientists still haven't been able to figure out if having a Bluetooth-enabled device pressed up against the tiny abdomen of a child for hours at a time could cause health problems later on in life.

In addition to all this, the parents themselves are so busy and pre-occupied updating the various apps with their babies’ behaviour that they don't even think about the various privacy concerns that might arrive their way a few years down the road. Not only the outsiders, parents themselves have the potential of becoming a problem in their children's life in the near future. According to a famous historian, too much information might lead to more of what is often called helicoptering behavior in humans.

As of now, none of the aforementioned reasons seems to be slowing the pace at which the baby-tech space is growing everyday. Since newer and newer generations are now donning the parents hat, the dependence on apps and tech for parental guidance and help has grown exponentially over the last decade.

According to LaFrance, the only logical conclusion to this parenting trend is to implant the child with a GPS microchip, something similar on the lines of Apple's Find iPhone app but for people.

Since a lot of parents are nowadays spending their time gazing on screens than on their babies, this particular idea might just prove to be a solid winner.