The U.S. remains in regular contact with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky via a secure satellite phone the U.S. gave to the Ukrainian government last month before the invasion, according to a U.S. official familiar with the matter. Satellite phones can facilitate location and communication with employees, especially in remote areas or during an emergency that otherwise affects standard fixed and mobile service. The U.S. State Department recommends their use for travelers in at least a dozen countries, including Afghanistan and throughout sub-Saharan Africa. However, as mentioned earlier, OSAC members should refrain from bringing satellite phones to countries where they are prohibited. Check with the service provider for other destinations to make sure coverage is available and for any operational restrictions. Contact the relevant embassies and consulates of the host country and the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for more information. Finally, OSAC supports several country-, region- and sector-specific networks that regularly discuss this issue, including reputable service providers and updates on restrictions; Joining these groups can be helpful. New technologies enabling satellite communications via mobile phones can claim to bridge the gap in places where satellite communications are illegal. However, this technology is so new that few (if any) countries are likely to adopt legislation that specifically addresses it.
Rather, it is likely that a government would consider any phone (cell or otherwise) as a satellite phone if it uses satellite technology for communication, and may not look kindly at those who own such devices, especially if it appears that they are trying to circumvent the law. If the country you wish to travel to allows satellite phones (and most do), please contact Outfitter Satellite for help choosing the right satellite phone for your needs. “The U.S. Consulate General in Frankfurt hereby offers the following combined summary and request: Delivery and Delivery of Satellite Phones – brand name or equal to the U.S. Embassy in Kiev, Ukraine,” the statement reads. Libya banned Thuraya`s satellite phones in 2011 under threat of arrest for espionage. The current status of this law is unclear. U.S.
satellite phone providers must comply with the U.S. embargo and sanctions restrictions that could affect the availability of equipment in certain locations. For example, U.S.-based companies cannot provide services in places like Iran, Cuba, and North Korea. However, many service providers still offer global coverage with the caveat that ownership and use may not be legal. This global coverage can extend to emergency services support, where service providers answer emergency phone calls and provide assistance, regardless of the local legal and regulatory situation. Outfitter Satellite provides information on this blog based on Internet research and does not provide legal advice. Everyone must do their own duty of care. Please do not rely 100% on this list when making your travel plans. Learn about the laws and check the current political situation in each country you want to visit. Your destination may have recently changed its laws of the country due to civil unrest or other reasons. The U.S. State Department maintains a list of foreign embassies that can be contacted for more information.
By staying up to date, you can help ensure a safe and enjoyable trip. In India, only satellite phones using the Inmarsat network are allowed, and you must obtain permission from the Ministry of Telecommunications before your trip. If you are caught with an unapproved satellite phone, you could be arrested. Nigeria banned satellite phones in its northeastern state of Borno after discovering that Boko Haram fighters had planned attacks with the phones. It is not clear whether satellite phones are legal in the rest of the country. Satellite phones are a fantastic tool for travelers who want to break away from the usual tourist routes and stay in touch or who just want everything to be important to call for help in an emergency, but some countries around the world don`t take the devices as friendly. The United States plans to purchase 126 satellite phones and 80 portable wiFi satellite data devices for its embassy in Kiev, according to a request for a request released Friday by the State Department. Satellite phones are a great investment for travelers around the world, but some countries limit their use in various ways or ban them altogether. Even if a country has set the restrictions on satellite phones and now allows them, it may be useful to know that a restriction was once in place, as local authorities may not know that the law has been repealed. You may not bring/send a satellite phone to Cuba without the permission of the Cuban Ministry of Informatics and Communications.
Getting caught with one can lead to arrest. Despite the negative factors mentioned above, satellite phones provide reliable communication to many OSAC members in the harshest environments. It is illegal to have a satellite phone in China, and many other GPS devices are also considered suspicious. If you`re traveling to China, consider your usual phone – cellular service and internet access are good in China, even in remote areas, and you can easily order a Chinese SIM card before your trip. Keep in mind that many websites that you normally use can be blocked, such as Google and some social media platforms. If you have any questions, please contact the Embassy of China. Journalists and other media personnel may have their equipment, including satellite phones, released in advance. A licence from the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka is required. India strictly bans all satellite phones except those using the Inmarsat network, and permission must be obtained in advance from the Ministry of Telecommunications of the Government of India. Foreigners who possess an unauthorized satellite phone are arrested.
India is one of the most well-known places that prohibits the use of satellite phones not only on land, but also in its territorial waters. India`s Department of Telecommunications (DoT) states that “satellite phones are only allowed with a certain permission,” with DoT approvals limited to Inmarsat phones. India has reportedly introduced and maintained the regulation of satellite phones for national security purposes, especially after Pakistan-based terrorists used satellite phone technology to communicate with their managers during the Mumbai terror attacks in 2008. It is illegal to own a satellite phone in China, and GPS devices are also often viewed with suspicion. However, China`s cellular and internet coverage is very good, even in remote areas like Tibet, and buying a SIM card for your stay in China is easy. However, keep in mind that many Western websites are blocked, including Google and most social media.
