50 foreigners arrested from Sinclairs Hotel....Satellite phones confiscated from Europeans in Jalpaiguri

Satellite phone (Inmarsat) source: wikipedia.org

EOI, Jalpaiguri, 8 Feb 2014: In a baffling incident, police today arrested as many as 50 foreign nationals from Sinclairs Hotel in Mateli. Police sources added 22 satellite phones have been seized from them.

Besides, the police also apprehended 33 Indian citizens from the hotel and have begun investigating the matter. It has been learnt the foreigners are from countries such as France, Italy, Germany, Holland and Belgium. They were reportedly shooting for a reality show for France-based Eco Line Production House. 

KalimNews adds. As per the Indian Telegraph Act and existing guidelines, Thuraya Satellite set phone service is not permitted in India. Anyone using any telegraphic devices including Satphone unauthorisedly violates Section 4 of Indian Telegraph Act, 1885 and he/she can be penalized U/S 20 '&' 21 of the said Act, said Consulate General of India in a press release on Monday It further highlighted for the benefit of the importers / visitors to India: (i) In case of import of such cargo or parts thereof, the importer should furnish the license issued by the Department of Telecommunications of the Government of India along with a detailed declaration to the customs indicating, interalia, the make/brand and serial no. / part no. where applicable.

Moreover Satellite phones being brought in baggage / hand baggage would be detained / confiscated, as per the existing procedure till the time the holder of the satellite phone is able to produce a license issued by the Department of Telecommunications of the Government of India.

A satellite telephone, satellite phone, or satphone is a type of mobile phone that connects to orbiting satellites instead of terrestrial cell sites. They provide similar functionality to terrestrial mobile telephones; voice, short messaging service and low-bandwidth internet access are supported through most systems. Depending on the architecture of a particular system, coverage may include the entire Earth, or only specific regions. The mobile equipment, also known as a terminal, varies widely. Early satellite phone handsets had a size and weight comparable to that of a late-1980s or early-1990s mobile phone, but usually with a large retractable antenna. More recent satellite phones are similar in size to a regular mobile phone while some prototype satellite phones have no distinguishable difference from an ordinary smartphone.

Satphones are popular on expeditions into remote areas where terrestrial cellular service is unavailable. A fixed installation, such as one used aboard a ship, may include large, rugged, rack-mounted electronics, and a steerable microwave antenna on the mast that automatically tracks the overhead satellites. Smaller installations using VoIP over a two-way satellite broadband service such as BGAN or VSAT bring the costs within the reach of leisure vessel owners. Internet service satellite phones have notoriously poor reception indoors, though it may be possible to get a consistent signal near a window or in the top floor of a building if the roof is sufficiently thin. The phones have connectors for external antennas that can be installed in vehicles and buildings. The systems also allow for the use of repeaters, much like terrestrial mobile phone systems.

In some countries, possession of a satellite phone is illegal.Their signals will usually bypass local telecoms systems, hindering censorship and wiretapping attempts. These countries tend to score low on the Democracy index, with the exception of India, so a ban can be the result of the state's desire for mass surveillance or that it lacks the technology to intercept satellite phone traffic.

Satellite phones are legal in most countries. In Australia, residents of remote areas may apply for a government subsidy for a satellite phone. In 2012, new regulations governing the use of satellite phones inside Russia or its territories were developed to fight terrorism by enabling the Russian government to intercept calls.These regulations allow non-Russian visitors to register their SIM cards for use within Russian territory for up to 6 months.

Satellite phones confiscated from Europeans in Jalpaiguri 

THT, DARJEELING/SILIGURI, 9 February 2014: Jalpaiguri Police on Saturday confiscated 22 satellite phones from a group of European nationals in Chalsa in Jalpaiguri district of North Bengal. This is believed to the largest-ever haul of illegal satellite phones in the country. “Based on a tip-off we raided a resort in Chalsa where around 50 European nationals were putting up and confiscated 22 satellite phones illegally sneaked into the country,” said Kunal Agarwal, Superintendent of Police (SP), Jalpaiguri.

Chalsa is a small town in Jalpaiguri district, around 60 km from the nearest airport, Bagdogra, in Darjeeling district. The group is shooting a reality show to be telecast in France and other European countries. “Despite Indian embassy notices saying the use and carrying of satellite phones by foreign nationals without prior approval of Department of Telecommunication, Government of India, is strictly prohibited, the foreign nationals had not declared the phones while entering India,” said Agarwal. Police interrogation continued till late in the night. “Completion of interrogation may lead to arrests,” said Agarwal. Members of the group during interrogation claimed they were unaware of the fact that use of satellite phones is prohibited in the country.

Indian Embassy notices clearly say: “All foreigners travelling to India are hereby informed that it is illegal to use/carry Thuraya or other such satellite phones in India. Custom authorities in India may seize such phones and legal action may be taken against the passenger concerned.”

The advisory says: “Travellers may kindly note that use of any satellite phone is not permitted in India, unless prior approval of Department of Telecommunications, Government of India, is obtained.”

The notice says: “Anyone using any telegraphic devices including Satphone without authorisation violates Section 4 of the Indian Telegraph Act 1885 and he/she can be penalised under Section 20 and 21 of the said Act. Tata Communications Limited, India, may be approached in case of necessity to use satellite telephone services in India.

“In case satellite phones are brought into India through baggage/hand baggage without licence from DoT, the equipment would be detained/confiscated by customs authorities as per existing procedures till the time the owner/holder of the satellite phone is able to produce a licence issued by DoT.”