For the first time, satellite phones will be used during the upcoming five-day Aero India Show 2019 in Bengaluru, the Times of India reports.

The handheld satellite phones, which are banned for public use, will be part of the disaster management plan during the show beginning 20 February.

According to a senior scientist from the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), the satellite phones will be helpful in coordination.

He said, “Network jamming and mobile tower neutralisation is possible when there are so many people at one place. There shouldn’t be barriers to communication and hence using satellite phones is a necessity. In the previous aero show, we used V-satellite phones that were not handheld but stationary”.

Due to its proximity to the naval base INS Kadamba, Karvar was chosen for the satellite phone connectivity. Since the satellite phones are expensive and the outgoing calls cost tariff of Rs 50 per minute, officials believe it is enough of a deterrent for pranksters to stop using it.

The NDMA, which has issued three satellite phones to the state, are used only during emergencies. One of the three phones is with the Karnataka State Natural Disaster Management Centre, and the other two are with the deputy commissioners of coastal districts of Dakshina Kannada and Uttara Kannada.

Sudhakar Shetty, a consultant in the revenue department of the disaster management wing, said, “The numbers are yet to be activated by BSNL which has provided the facility on NDMA’s instructions. The satellite phone numbers of the DCs will be made public soon”.

The importance of satellite phones was noticed during the Kodugu flood operations when mobile networks failed due to the destruction of various network towers.

Karnataka State Natural Disaster Management Centre

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