BSNL sold 4,000 satellite phones last year; aims to sell 10,000 handsets by March 2019

A YEAR since the high-profile launch of its satellite phone services, BSNL has sold 4,000 handsets, majority to government agencies, and expects the number to reach 10,000 by March 2019 riding on fresh demand from corporates and states for the premium service, its Chairman Anupam Shrivastava said.
“The satellite phone business is doing well, and we have sold 4,000 satellite phone handsets to defense, army, Border Security Force (BSF), disaster management agencies, ONGC (Oil and Natural Gas Corporation), Railways and some in the private sector,” Shrivastava told a news agency.
A satellite phone offers communication services via satellites, as opposed to terrestrial mobile towers. Satellite phones are used in situations and locations where terrestrial mobile service may not be available. Satellite phones can work in any part of the country, inside...

Allow BSNL establish new gateway for satellite phone services, recommends TRAI

IN A bid to address the needs of security forces while tackling insurgency and other security-related issues, telecom regulator TRAI has recommended that BSNL be allowed to set up a new gateway for providing satellite phone services.
"The DoT may authorise BSNL to establish Gateway immediately under 'sui generis' category," Telecom Regulatory Authority of India said in its recommendation. This comes following demands...