Embassy of India Tokyo, Japan

Prohibition on Unauthorized Use of Satellite Phones in India

This is to inform all visitors to India including foreign nationals that bringing in or using satellite phones (e.g. Thuraya, Iridium, etc.) in India without prior permission/license from Department of Telecommunications, Government of India, is prohibited under Indian law.

Any passenger carrying satellite phone/ phones via baggage is required to declare the same to Customs on arrival and produce permission for use from the concerned authority.
Any individual found to be in possession of an unauthorized satellite phone in India is liable to be prosecuted as per Indian law, and all unauthorized sets found in possession of the individual will be seized by Indian law enforcement agencies.
Visitors and tourists coming to India are advised to comply with Indian laws and not bring in or use satellite phones in India without obtaining specific permission/license in advance from the concerned authorities.