US National Arrested at Srinagar Airport for Possession of Satellite Phone
On Sunday, a US citizen was taken into custody at Srinagar airport in Jammu and Kashmir after being found with a satellite phone. The individual was traveling with another person, who was also held temporarily but later released after questioning.
This incident raises questions about the status of satellite phones in India. Is their use actually forbidden?
Are Satellite Phones Banned in India?
While satellite phones aren’t completely illegal in India, their use is heavily regulated. According to the Telecommunications Act of 2023, individuals cannot operate a satellite phone without a license or a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Department of Telecommunications (DoT).
Currently, only satellite services from BSNL (Inmarsat) are generally allowed with the right permissions. However, other satellite phone brands like Thuraya and Iridium are entirely prohibited.
For foreign travelers, any satellite phone brought into India must be declared at customs. Not doing so could lead to hefty fines or even arrest. Countries like the United States and the UK have warned their citizens to be cautious.
“US citizens are advised not to bring satellite phones or GPS devices when traveling to or through India. This does not apply to standard cell phones. Non-compliance can result in immediate arrest, large fines, device confiscation, deportation, and significant delays,” reported the US State Department in a notice last year.
Why the Restrictions on Satellite Phones?
The restrictions on satellite phones in India largely stem from national security concerns. These devices can create challenges for law enforcement because they can operate without involving local telecommunications networks.
In sensitive regions like Jammu and Kashmir, authorities maintain a strict “zero tolerance” policy towards satellite phones to prevent their use by insurgents. The regulations became more stringent after the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, when terrorists used satellite phones to communicate with their handlers outside the country, complicating efforts for Indian authorities to monitor their activities.
