Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) launched India’s first direct-to-device satellite connectivity service on Wednesday, as announced by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT). The service was developed in collaboration with Viasat, a California-based communications technology company.
The state-owned telecom provider’s service aims to provide connectivity in remote areas where traditional networks are unavailable. Prior to this launch, satellite communications in India have been limited to emergency services, military, and other allied services.
BSNL launches India’s 1st Satellite-to-Device service!
Seamless connectivity now reaches India’s remotest corners. pic.twitter.com/diNKjaivFo
— DoT India (@DoT_India) November 13, 2024
Service Features and Testing
According to BSNL, the service will enable users to:
- Make emergency calls when cellular network or Wi-Fi connectivity is unavailable
- Send SOS messages
- Make UPI payments in areas without traditional connectivity
Viasat demonstrated the technology’s capabilities at the Indian Mobile Congress (IMC) 2024, successfully sending and receiving messages to a geostationary L-band satellite at a distance of 36,000km. The company stated in a press release that the service will enable two-way communication for non-terrestrial network (NTN) connectivity.
Implementation Details Pending
Following trials that began in October, BSNL has launched the service within a month. However, several key details remain unspecified:
- The process for users to access the satellite connectivity
- Whether the feature will be included in existing plans or require separate subscriptions
- The extent of service availability for non-emergency communications
The service could benefit users in remote locations, such as those trekking to the Chandratal Lake in Spiti Valley or living in remote villages in Rajasthan.
While satellite connectivity technology has been previously introduced by companies like Apple with their iPhone 14 series, this marks the first such service available to regular users in India.
