The Telecom Commission has given approval for introducing satellite-based mobile services in the country. The approval comes the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India suggested introduction of a regulatory mechanism to govern satellite-based phone services in the country.

Initially, the services will be offered by Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) through a partnership with International Mobile Satellite Organisation (INMARSAT). Currently, in India, the satellite services of INMARSAT are being accessed by maritime users through Tata Communications Limited’s (TCL) network. In addition, the satellite-based mobile services are also being used by select few landline users with the approval of the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) on a case to case basis.

At present, INMARSAT provides its satellite services with a constellation of four satellites. The present constellation known as I-3 satellites was launched in 1996. In view of the aging of these satellites, INMARSAT plans to phase out old satellites starting from September 2014. INMARSAT has, meanwhile, launched the next generation satellites services.

While the INMARSAT services cater to maritime communication, the government had envisaged satellite services, namely, Global Mobile Personal Communication by Satellite (GMPCS) under the telecom licencing regime (2001). The new licencing norms issued by the government in 2001 made it mandatory to set-up a gateway in the country for providing satellite phone services. Since, setting up a GMPCS Gateway required substantial financial expenditure – the government did not receive any interest from potential players to set up such gateways.

India being a founding member of INMARSAT has till date set-up one gateway required for providing satellite phone service in Pune under Videsh Sanchar Nigam Limited (now TCL). Until now, DoT has been allowing users particularly defence forces to procure satellite phones from a few other foreign service providers. However, severe security implications are involved in such an arrangement with a possibility of foreign service providers monitoring calls outside the country since the gateways are located outside the country.

In view of these security concerns, defence forces have not opted for satellite phones from the foreign operators. Instead they have been demanding establishment of a new gateway in the country which can support new generation of handsets for land mobile connections.

As a result, the Telecom Commission’s move to allow BSNL to provide satellite-based services is being seen as the right move for ensuring safety and security of the country’s communication network.