BSNL-Inmarsat Satellite Phone Services Set to Take Off

Soon, India will get satellite-based telecom services with Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd signing a deal with London-based Inmarsat. BSNL has already taken the required licence from the Department of Telecom and identified Ghaziabad for locating the satellite gateway. The gateway will be built at a cost of USD8 million.
Through this deal, BSNL will be able to offer satellite-based broadband services using Inmarsat technologies in remote areas of the country. BSNL will also be able to meet the needs of the Defence forces.

Inmarsat is a global satellite services provider and was earlier offering services in India through Videsh Sanchar Nigam Ltd. But this service was practically shut down after the Government divested majority stake in VSNL to the Tatas. Since then the London-based firm has been scouting for partners in India.
US-based satellite services company Iridium had also written to the Telecom Ministry seeking an opportunity to be part of a project being undertaken by Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd to set up a satellite gateway in the country. Iridium has said that it should be given a chance to bid for the BSNL project.
- The Hindu Business Line