NEW DELHI, Sept 19 : The Indian Army on Sunday activated satellite-based internet service on the world’s highest battlefield on Siachen Glacier.
“Satellite-based internet service has been activated on the Siachen Glacier at 19,061 feet, the world’s highest battlefield, by the Siachen Signallers,” said the Fire and Fury Corps of the Indian Army.
The Fire and Fury Corps or XIV Corps looks after military deployment along Kargil-Leh, secures the frontiers with China and Pakistan, and guards the Siachen Glacier.
Bharat Broadband Network Limited (BBNL), a government of India undertaking that is providing the net connectivity to the Army at Siachen, is the same agency that is responsible for the implementation of BharatNet Project. The BBNL’s plan is to provide satellite-based internet to around 7,000 gram panchayats and other remote areas where fibre-based internet connectivity is not possible. As per reports, about 4,000 gram panchayats have already been commissioned across the country. The 7,000 sites will be covered by four satellite gateways with two high throughput (HTS) satellites under the central government project.
Also, there are a few private companies that are providing different satellite-based internet services to the Indian Army in sensitive places in border areas like in eastern Ladakh. Hughes Communications India, which has tied up with Isro for using the Indian space agency’s Gsat-11 and Gsat-29 satellites and recently announced the commercial launch of India’s first high-throughput satellite (HTS) broadband service, is providing sat-based connectivity to the Indian Army along the China border, including in the Galwan region.
The Indian Army is also going to get its own dedicated communication satellite in near future. Defence minister Rajnath Singh has already cleared the acceptance of necessity for procurement of Gsat-7B satellite that will enhance operational preparedness of the ground force and boost its communication capabilities.
Till now, the Army is dependent on Gsat-7A, a dedicated communication satellite of the Indian Air Force, and other Isro satellites, to fulfil its strategic and communication requirements. But with the upcoming new state-of-the-art technology, the Army will get its own eye in the sky to secure its borders.
BBNL, which is providing the net connectivity to the Army in Siachen, is the agency responsible for the implementation of BharatNet Project. The current BBNL plan is to provide satellite-based internet to around 7,000-gram panchayats and other remote areas where fibre-based net connectivity is not possible. BharatNet will have to acquire four satellite gateways with two high-powered satellites to cover all the 7,000 panchayats.
There are a few private companies that are providing satellite-based internet connectivity to the Indian Army in sensitive places along the border like in eastern Ladakh. Hughes Communications India, which has tied up with Isro and recently announced the commercial launch of India’s first high-throughput satellite broadband service, is providing sat-based connectivity to the Army along the China border, including in the Galwan region.
Soon, the Army will get a dedicated communication satellite. Defence minister Rajnath Singh has already given his nod to the Acceptance of Necessity for GSAT-7B satellite that will enhance operational preparedness of the armed forces and boost its communication capabilities. Till now, the Army is dependent on GSAT-7A, a dedicated communication satellite of the IAF and other satellites, but with the new technology, the Army will get its own eye in the sky. (Agencies)
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