China-made satellite phone was found active during Pahalgam terror attack…, What is a satellite phone and is it possible for you to buy one?
New details have come out in the investigation of the Pahalgam terror attack. According to a report, a Huawei satellite phone was active in the area on the day of the attack. Huawei is a Chinese company whose products are banned in several countries, including India and the US. Besides smartphones, Huawei also makes equipment used in mobile towers. Security agencies suspect that the satellite phone may have been smuggled into India either from Pakistan or another country. This has raised many questions in people’s minds about what a satellite phone is and how it is different from a regular phone. Let’s understand more about satellite phones.
What is a satellite phone?
As the name suggests, a satellite phone connects through satellites. The phones we usually use rely on mobile networks that come from nearby towers. In contrast, a satellite phone connects directly to a satellite orbiting the earth. Devices that support satellite communication can connect to landlines, cellular networks, and satellites. Satellite phones are mostly used in remote areas where there are no landlines or mobile networks available.Pa
What do satellite phones look like?
Satellite phones are not some magical gadgets; they look similar to regular phones. Huawei, the Chinese company whose satellite phone was found active during the Pahalgam attack, has even started adding satellite communication features to its smartphones. However, phones that support satellite communication are generally more expensive than regular smartphones. In the US, companies like Starlink (owned by Elon Musk) and T-Mobile are working together to offer satellite communication services to T-Mobile users through Starlink satellites.
Cost of making calls through a satellite phone
According to reports, a satellite phone connects to other phones with the help of a satellite. These satellites orbit high above the earth in what is called low-Earth orbit. When a user makes a call, the signal is transmitted to one of these satellites and then connected to the other phone. Apart from calls, users can also send text messages and use a limited amount of internet through satellite networks. The cost of making calls via satellite phones varies depending on the service provider and location.
Can you buy a satellite phone?
According to reports, satellite phones are restricted for regular citizens in India. Satellite internet and communication services have not yet fully started in the country. Companies like Starlink (owned by Elon Musk), OneWeb, Jio, and Airtel are preparing to launch satellite services in India but are still waiting for government approvals. Meanwhile, some smartphone makers have started adding satellite communication features to their devices. Apple is also expected to bring satellite communication to future iPhones, but such phones are not yet available in India. In neighboring China, satellite phones are being launched, with Huawei leading the way by adding satellite communication to its premium smartphones.
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