Years after satellite phones were issued to fishermen for emergency use at sea, problems linked to cost and service access are now creating fresh challenges. Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL), the state-run telecom operator, is facing criticism from fishing communities over high recharge prices and the lack of SIM replacement support.
The satellite phones were distributed around 6 years ago by the government to help fishermen stay connected during emergencies while fishing in deep sea areas where regular mobile networks do not work. However, fishermen now say that using these phones has become difficult due to rising charges and limited service options.
B Muthukumar, secretary of the deep sea fishing boat owners association, said that when his SIM card was damaged, he was unable to get a replacement. This issue adds to the financial burden alreay caused by higher service costs.
When the phones were first introduced, the monthly recharge cost was ₹1,800 and offered talktime worth ₹800. The current monthly recharge has increased to ₹3,965, with talktime raised to ₹1,800. Top-up recharge now costs ₹4,131, but the talktime value has dropped sharply to ₹360.
Another concern raised by fishermen is that the satellite phones support only outgoing calls. This limits their usefulness during emergencies, as incoming communication is also important for rescue and coordination.
Fishermen depend on these devices because they are often the only way to contact authorities during accidents or rough weather in deep sea zones. Terrestrial mobile networks do not function in such areas, making satellite phones a critical safety tool.
Fishing groups say the current service model is making it harder for them to rely on these devices, even though they were meant to protect lives at sea. They believe the rising costs and SIM-related issues defeat the original purpose of providing the phones for safety.
In the long term, there is hope that regular smartphones will support satellite connectivity for essential communication services. Until then, fishermen continue to depend on satellite phones and expect improvements in affordability and service support.
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