Ambani is now going to be in a tight spot because the government owned BSNL is seeing a hike in demand for affordable recharge plans. BSNL is totally shaking up the telecom sector with its newly introduced Technology Direct-to-Device (D2D), which facilitates calling without a SIM card. Yes you heard that right, this technology uses satellite based communication instead of mobile towers. This might change customer preferences and completely eliminate the need of Ambani owned jio’s sim card. Not just jio, but Sunil Bharti Mittal’s Airtel may also be eliminated along with other networks.
Let us tell you that BSNL has recently introduced 7 new services including a spam-free network, ATS Kiosk, and Direct-to-Device (D2D) service. Right now the d2d service is on a trial basis which facilitates calling without a sim card or even a mobile network. As the trials are going on, it might not take a long time to enter the market. D2D Technology can be a potential choice as it provides coverage in remote as well as rural areas, where several other networks struggle. The service also has potential for critical situations like emergencies and natural disasters, where instant connectivity is essential.
BSNL service demonstration successful
BSNL along with Viasat are running tests of this service, which enables even video calls without requiring a SIM card. BSNL recently demonstrated its technology at the India Mobile Congress, where calls were successfully made without the help of a SIM card on a standard Android phone. The calls utilized a satellite orbiting 36,000 kilometers away, which ensured the service’s potential during emergencies or natural disasters. With this BSNL has joined with Jio, Airtel, and Vodafone-Idea in developing satellite connectivity services, while Starlink (by Elon Musk) and Amazon are also exploring this sector actively. Starlink and Amazon’s applications for satellite services in India are not yet approved by the Department of Telecommunications approval.
Service not only for smartphone
This service, is not only useful for smartphones but also for smart watches and even connected vehicles which will provide Direct access to satellite networks. During trials at the India Mobile Congress, BSNL and Viasat successfully tested two-way texting and SOS functionality using Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) connectivity on a commercial Android device. And with this accomplishment, BSNL seems all ready to compete with major players like Airtel, Jio, and Vodafone-Idea in the satellite connectivity sector. This service will definitely place BSNL as a key player in India’s evolving telecom landscape.