Mumbai: The Maharashtra government is exploring the possibility of providing satellite phone connectivity to deep-sea fishermen which can serve as a lifeline by enabling uninterrupted communication with the shore.
The Fisheries Department is holding discussions with Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) on the proposed facility, Fisheries Minister Nitesh Rane said on Tuesday.
The decision to provide satellite phone facilities for deep-sea fishermen to ensure reliable communication and emergency responses beyond terrestrial mobile tower limits. BSNL has rolled out an Inmarsat satellite phone service tailored for maritime use, priced at ₹1,34,166.
The Inmarsat IsatPhone 2 is a rugged device built to survive harsh marine conditions, featuring an external antenna, GPS capabilities, and military-grade encryption.
Bypasses conventional cell towers by communicating directly with orbiting satellites, securing coverage even in deep-sea zones where standard networks do not exist.
The talks focus on making this costly technology accessible to fishermen. Similar state-sponsored schemes (such as in Kerala) have subsidized satellite devices for up to ₹94,261, requiring only a minimal consumer share (around ₹1,500) from the fishermen
