While the world is going gaga over satellite phones, India still has issues in accepting these. The Government of India has specifically mentioned that such phones aren’t allowed in India since forever.
Why the same is an issue?
Recently, a foreign national who claimed to have the right papers for carrying such a phone, was arrested in Uttarakhand. A lot of reports over the years, suggest that some satellite phones are allowed with special permission. However , government sources have always dissed such claims.
The use for satellite phones seems to violate Indian Telegraph Act of 1885 as well as the Indian Wireless Telegraph Act of 1933. Besides, this such phones violate Indian Penal Code provisions along with clauses of the Foreigners Order, 1948. Government of India has declared satellite phones to be a threat for national security thanks to a number of recent terrorism acts.
Inner details
Use of these phones for any personal as well as commercial use is also prohibited across the country. Only some security agencies or defense forces have the right to use the same legally.
Summing up
To use such sorts of satellite phones, permission needs to be taken from DoT or the Department of Telecommunications. However, this is a tougher nut to crack than you would like to believe.
