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.

India's Rural Population to get High-Speed Broadband Thanks to ISRO's Satellites

Indian space agency, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), will launch three more communication satellites to provide high-speed bandwidth connectivity to rural areas as part of the government's Digital India programme.

The announcement about this "Satellite-based Internet" was made during press conference post successful commercial launch of two UK satellites by ISRO, ISRO Chairman K. Sivan said, "The ISRO will launch three more satellites, which together will provide international level bandwidth speed."

Satellite-based Internet access is internet access provided through communications satellites. Modern consumer grade satellite Internet service is typically provided to individual users through geostationary satellites that can offer relatively high data speeds

The three satellites to be launched by ISRO are -- AGSAT 20, GSAT 11, and GSAT 29. AGSAT 20 will launched next year, while GSAT 19 has already been launched.

These satellites are special as they use multiple spot beams that will increase internet speed and connectivity. A spot beam is a satellite signal that is specially concentrated in power so that it covers only a limited geographical area on the earth. The narrower the beam more is the power. These satellites will reuse “beams” (signals) several times in order to cover the entire country. In contrast, traditional satellite uses a broad single beam (not concentrated)to cover wide regions.

Sivan said that the space agency had planned a series of launches over the next six months. He said that there will be a rocket launch mission every second week.

Sivan also said earth observation satellites will also be launched in addition to the communication satellites.

In a separate development, Reliance Jio has has partnered with ISRO for providing high-speed 4G connectivity via satellites. This new platform based on satellite backhaul-based network will provide 4G LTE connectivity to remote rural locations. In satellite communication, 'backhaul' is used to mean getting data to a point from which it can be distributed over a network.

ISRO's geostationary communications satellite, GSAT-11, which is heaviest satellite that India has ever made, is yet to be launched but is already touted to revolutionize India's broadband connectivity. The Rs. 500 crore satellite weighing 4000-6000 Kg is said to be a boon for rural population in India as far as high-speed connectivity is concerned for them.

The GSAT-11 is equivalent to the combined power of almost all communications satellite sent into orbit by India. The heavy-weight satellite is like a constellation of 30 of the classical orbiting satellites.

GSAT-11 was planned to be launched in May 2018, it however got delayed after ISRO recalled it back to India from the launch site in French Guiana for additional checks weeks after ISRO lost communication to another communication satellite, the GSAT-6A, soon after its launch in March 2018.

The new launch date for GSAT-11 has been set to 30 November 2018.

In 2016, India overtook the US to become the world’s second largest internet user base after China, however India is still behind many Asian countries when it comes to internet speed. The number of internet users in the country is expected to reach 500 million by June 2018, up from 432 million in December 2016, according to a report from the Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI).

Via ~ Zeenews.India.com, NDTV, Wikipedia, ISRO.

[Top featured image by NASA on Unsplash

Soon Satellite Phone Service for All Citizens in India

Representational Picture

It's 2017, but unfortunately, mobile phone network issues still persist in the Indian subcontinent. In order to bail its citizens out of the constant network troubles that they run into, state-run BSNL is considering on extending satellite phone services to all Indian citizens. The phones, which can be expected to be made available in another two years, will be capable of working in every nook and corner of the South Asian country and will be safe from any network breakdown whatsoever.

According to a statement given by BSNL chairman and managing director Anupam Shrivastava to PTI, the company has already the first official step and applied to International Maritime Organisation. He said, "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."

While traditional mobile networks cover around 25-30km around towers and can transmit signals to phones placed equal to or below the height of the tower, Satellite phones, on the other hand, are capable of working in any part of the country as they on function directly from satellites located about 35,700km above the earth. They can even function from inside flights and ships.

The state-run telecom company is making use of INMARSAT to provide the satellite phone service. The service will be initially rolled out to government agencies, but will soon be extended to the citizens of the country in an organised manner.

Government agencies handling Border Security Force, state police, disaster, railways, and other government agencies will be provided with the satellite phone service in the first phase.

The phone service will be able to cover areas where currently no networks are present and INMARSAT's 14 satellites will help BSNL in its mission.

According to Shrivastava, currently the number of satellite phone connections in India are very less but once BSNL starts with its satellite phone for every citizen initiative with full force, the whole dynamics of the market can be expected to go through a massive change. He also added, that the huge volume of phone connections might even help in bringing down the overall cost of the service. BSNL has decided to charge only Re 1 over the cost that the satellite firm will billing to them.

In the first phase, call rates on satellite phones are expected to be in the range of Rs. 30-35 since there are only about 4,600 connections present in the country.

He further added, "Satellite phones also cost Rs 40,000 and more. All the satellite phones are imported at present. Once we open it for citizens, the volumes will drive down the cost of calls as well as handset. Even, huge volume can attract satellite phone manufacturers to set-up their unit in India. We expect it to create a new ecosystem of satellite services in the country."
Tata Communications Ltd. is currently providing satellite phones in India. The company inherited the licence from Videsh Sanchar Nigam Limited.

According to the plan chalked out, TCL services will be phased out by June 30 this year with all its connections getting transferred to BSNL service

At present, India has 1,532 authorised satellite phone connections functioning. In addition to this, Tata Communications Ltd. has also issued 4,143 permits to maritime community for usage of these phones on ships at sea.

Though satellite phones might offer smooth connection promise, but they all carry security concerns. According to India's telecom regulator TRAI, communication done through satellite phones can be monitored by foreign agencies as their gateways are located outside India. This is the reason that Indian Defence forces have declined to use satellite phones from the foreign operators. In fact, several security agencies have time and again been voicing their demand for establishment of a new gateway in the Indian subcontinent which is capable of supporting new generation handsets for land mobile connections.

The demand of these security agencies seems to have finally been met, with a new satellite phone gateway being set-up in India with legal interception and monitoring system (LIMS).

According to Shrivastava, there are no more security issued related to satellite phones anymore in India as BSNL has set-up a gateway with INMARSAT to address security concerns among government agencies. The company will be rolling out satellite services once their registration process is completed and all the necessary approvals are in line.