BSNL Global Satellite Phone Service Available to Public Since 2018
India's state-owned BSNL has offered its Global Satellite Phone Service (GSPS) for voice and SMS since 2018. The service has recently drawn attention due to its high price point.
India's state-owned telecom operator BSNL (Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited) has been providing its Global Satellite Phone Service (GSPS) for voice and SMS to the general public and private enterprises since January 1, 2018. The service excludes data connectivity.
Following a recent social media post highlighting its price of INR 1,34,166 (approximately USD 1,610), BSNL's satellite phone has re-entered public discussion. The device is marketed as a solution for challenging environments, including defense, maritime operations, disaster response, mining, remote work, and adventure travel.
Unlike conventional smartphones, the BSNL satellite phone is a dedicated handset with a physical antenna that must be deployed before use. It utilizes a separate SIM card and phone number, connecting directly to a geostationary satellite for voice and SMS services. This differs from recent efforts by other companies aiming to integrate satellite connectivity into standard smartphones.
Telecom experts note that satellite phones require distinct hardware, including different modems and antennas, and operate on a separate network infrastructure compared to terrestrial mobile phones. BSNL's GSPS inherently uses encrypted communication for secure data transfer.