Why BSNL’s new phone with no camera has been priced at Rs 1.34 lakh

It doesn’t look like much. It doesn’t even have a camera. However, it is still priced at Rs 1,34,166 — as much as the iPhone 17 Pro.

But what makes this simple-looking phone by India’s Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) so advanced and expensive?

We explain.

What is the phone launched by BSNL?

>> On Thursday (July 9), State-run BSNL introduced a new mobile phone in the market. However, this isn’t any ordinary mobile, but a satellite phone.

>> In a social media post, BSNL said that the newly-launched phone would be priced at Rs 1,34,166 apiece, including all taxes. This means that the phone is priced at the same level as an Apple iPhone 17 Pro.

>> BSNL further stated that the satellite phone has been designed for challenging environments — in remote areas not covered by conventional mobile networks. “When conventional mobile networks can’t reach, the BSNL Satellite Phone keeps you connected. Designed for challenging environments, making it an ideal solution for defence, maritime, disaster response, mining, remote operations, and adventure travel,” read the social media post by BSNL.

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>> Besides being able to keep people connected even where there are no mobile towers, the BSNL satellite phone offers SOS emergency support for distress situations.

>> It also boasts a long battery life for extended use away from charging facilities.

But what exactly is a satellite phone?

>> The main difference between a regular phone and a satellite phone is the network. Regular mobiles use cell towers to make calls, send messages, and access the internet. No tower means no network.

>> However, a satellite phone does not rely on towers. Rather, it connects to satellites orbiting the Earth. A sat phone simply requires a clear view of the sky to establish communication. It then allows one the ability to communicate even in remote mountains, deserts, forests, offshore waters, or disaster-hit regions where mobile infrastructure is unavailable.

>> As howstuffworks.com noted, this technology unleashes satellite phones from the bonds restricting their Earth-based brethren. Thus, they are the communication devices of choice in areas with minimal or non-existent cell coverage, such as sparsely populated or poor countries, locations where governments restrict cell and Internet access, or where natural disasters wreck ground-based systems.

Who can buy BSNL’s new satellite phone?

>> While BSNL has launched its new phone, it’s not for anyone and everyone. That’s because satellite phone use is severely restricted in India based on national security concerns. The Telecommunications Act 2023 states that a satellite phone can’t be legally operated in the country without a prior licence or a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Department of Telecommunications (DoT).

>> These measures were introduced after the Mumbai 26/11 attacks in which the terrorists used satellite phones, making it difficult for security personnel to track their location.

>> For this reason, BSNL has noted that the phone will be sold only to those individuals or organisations that obtain approval from the Department of Telecommunications before purchasing or using the device.

>> BSNL is targeting defence and security organisations for the sale of their phone.

>> Additionally, people engaged in sectors such as maritime operations, mining, and disaster response, as well as those working in off-grid locations, are potential customers of the BSNL satellite phone.

What are the plans that BSNL is offering for its satellite phone?

>> BSNL is offering postpaid and prepaid plans for its satellite phone.

>> In post-paid, BSNL is offering three plans — costing Rs 3,500 to Rs 11,670 per month.

>> Meanwhile, for prepaid, BSNL has divided it into further categories: government users and commercial users. For the government, the basic monthly plan costs Rs 3,500 per month, whereas the other plan costs Rs 38,500 for the year.

>> For commercial users, the basic prepaid plan is priced at Rs 5,835 per month, and the annual package is Rs 64,185.

>> Once the free minutes or SMS limit is exhausted, users have to pay for every additional call minute or SMS.

Should you buy the BSNL satellite phone?

>> Unless you work in a remote location with a very poor network, the BSNL satellite phone isn’t for you.

>> For regular consumers, an iPhone or Android smartphone remains the more practical choice.

With inputs from agencies