BSNL has launched the first satellite-to-device connection in the country

BSNL, one of the biggest telecom facilities providers in India, has launched the first satellite-to-device connection in the country that is still struggling to develop an integrated communication network to address the digital divide and bring cohesion to the country’s telecom infrastructure. Unveiled on Wednesday by the Indian Department of Telecommunications (DoT) together with a California based communications technology firm, Viasat, this service will help take the network connectivity to areas that are currently poorly or not covered at all in terms of cellular network rendering a big boost to the country’s digital inclusion agenda.

Elementary Touch Towards a Connected Community

New service from BSNL connects by satellite where other cellular operators may not be able to offer mobile connectivity. The service was unveiled at the India Mobile Congress (IMC) 2024 where it was presented as a fundamental tool for Indian telecommunications. The launch is especially important given the physiographic conditions in India that consist of extensive plains, mountains, and islands—mostly inhospitable to mobile connectivity.

The satellite connectivity service by BSNL is delivered through Non Terrestrial Network (NTN) where satellite communication happens with geostationary L- band satellite that is 36000 km above the earth. The sponsored service runs on a collaboration with Viasat firm, which is well acquainted with satellite communication technology. Viasat during the IMC event showed the bi-directional communication which can be supported by sat- com technology, thus exhibits its effectiveness of mass usage.

How the Service Works

Satellite service is a kind of service which use satellite communication to avoid the terrestrial cell tower while BSNL use satellite to device service. It provides users with the basic options to call for emergency at remote locations, send SOS messages, and carry out basic tasks, such as UPI payment, when cellular or Wi-Fi connection is a no-show.

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

For now, it seems they are restricted only to emergency and vital communication equipment. Though this service has the potential to provide much needed connectivity especially for rural home, BSNL still remains tight lipped whether it means voice call as we know it or mere messaging. We believe that there will be a possibility the service will be used mostly in case if an emergency or when no other means of communication are available i.e. after disaster or in an area that is yet to be reached by the network.

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Media: Bridging the Divide

India is a very large country and the population is also very high, which are the reasons why reaching out to some of the rural areas is that hard for telecom service providers. As per BSNL the satcom will be of more use to people who are traveling to remote areas for trekking something like trek to Spiti Valley, Himachal Pradesh or people residing in hitherto black spots of Rajasthan which always has been a issue area in terms of mobile networks.

This is in line with India’s general Shift2Digital drive which aims to enhance the connectivity of even the lonely man or woman to communication network. From emergency support, telemedicine, remote learning to other opportunities, this new service’s availability is all about possibilities that a lack of connection prevented for a long time.

Technological Backbone: Viasat’s Role

Innovation partner for BSNL satellite service is Viasat, which is a world’s premier satellite communications company. The system employs geostationary L – band satellites which are located at 36000km above surface of the earth. These satellites can always sustain its link with ground stations hence creating a more reliable link.

However, during the IMC 2024, Viasat provided a glimpse of what the service was capable of offering in terms of both basic connections features as well as two way. Thus, this demonstration served to show the durability of the technology and to suggest that such a satellite service could one day become a far more complete communication system in which users may be able to make standard voice calls and data transfers.

Availability and Pricing Information

Though the service is official started , BSNL has not clarified as to how the user will be able to avail satellite connectivity. Whether this satellite service will be included in the existing BSNL packages or it will attract a separate cost is not clear. LAN subscribers may also require compatible devices which may connect to the satellite and it is not known at this stage if this requires additional pieces of hardware or software.

Until the next couple of weeks further, the detailed pricing structures as well as the eligibility criteria of BSNL’s satellite service are yet in the dark. Closely tied with the service being satellite based the users are likely going to have to consider a higher cost of data use especially where the service being offered is as a paid extra or as part of a bundle that targets populated regions.

A New Era for Communication in India

To bring BSNL’s satellite-to-device service is a dramatic milestone in India’s telecommunication history. It is the use of satellite communication technology which was available to only governments or military few days ago is now available to common people. This on its own creates a universe for millions of users in rural and remote areas that for years have been struggling with connection problems. Satellite based connectivity for emergency usage, UPI, and, possibly, two way communication are giant strides towards making sure that each of the one point three billion people in India are connected to the digital world irrespective of where they live.

As the service unveils more features of the intersection of network technology and service it has the capability to revolutionize not only the emergency call system but the lives of people in the remotest corners of India. From huts in the sandy desert of Rajasthan and villages of the Northeastern hilly tracts, the concepts of satellite-to-device service evoke a possibility in making a real difference to BSNL in contributing to the architectural aesthetics of ‘Connect India’.