02 May 2018: Inmarsat is working in conjunction with strategic partner Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL), the Indian state-owned telecommunications company, to provide vital remote connectivity to support disaster relief.

Shri Manoj Sinha, Minister of Communication and Minister of State for Railways presented four Inmarsat IsatPhone 2 mobile satellite phones to Pema Khandu, Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh, the most northeastern state of the country, in a ceremony to mark the partnership.

Shri Manoj Sinha presents four IsatPhone 2 satellite phones to Pema Khandu, Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh

With poor overall connectivity in the region a reliable connectivity solution was required for disaster situations such as landslides, forest fires and cyclones, all prevalent in the state.

Disaster management

The satellite phones will be used to coordinate disaster management from the state HQ, as part of a programme being rolled out to all 29 states in India. Inmarsat connectivity will also support relief efforts at district level.

The activity has been made possible thanks to a new Indian GSPS Gateway, officially opened by Inmarsat and BSNL in 2017 to enable Indian government and private sector customers to access highly reliable satellite phone services over our Inmarsat-4 satellite constellation.

In addition to disaster response, the gateway will also enable the Indian Government to provide secure communications to defence services, commercial enterprises, the maritime industry and India’s remotest communities.