Inmarsat, BSNL open GSPS satellite gateway in India

NEW DELHI: Inmarsat and its strategic partner BSNL, today officially opened a new Indian GSPS Gateway, which will enable Indian government and private sector customers to access highly reliable satellite phone (satphone) services via Inmarsat’s 4th generation constellation.

Under licence from India’s Department of Telecommunications (DOT), the new GSPS gateway, located in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, will enable BSNL and Inmarsat to meet the most demanding requirements of satphone users throughout the country.

The launch of the new gateway also marks a further step towards Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi’s, ‘Digital India’ initiative. It will enable the Indian Government to provide secure communications to defence services, commercial enterprises, the maritime industry and India’s remotest communities.

Anupam Shrivastava, Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of BSNL said: “This is an exciting day for BSNL as it brings reliable, secure voice communications, powered by Inmarsat’s 4th generation satellite network, within the reach of groups and communities in areas with little or no connectivity. This is an important step forward in achieving the goals of ‘Digital India’, and ensuring that connectivity is available to all.”

Rupert Pearce, Chief Executive Officer of Inmarsat said: “This is an important day for Inmarsat and BSNL and marks the start of a new era for Inmarsat services in India.

“Inmarsat has been working in close partnership with the Government of India for over 30 years. The combination of Inmarsat’s world leading satellite communications capabilities and BSNL’s strong telecommunications infrastructure will see the market for satphone services grow significantly.

Gautam Sharma, Inmarsat India Managing Director, said: “With BSNL as the prime driver of Inmarsat’s GSPS business in India, access to satellite phone communications will be both simplified and seamless for users throughout the country.”