You must have heard about satellite phones many times these days. A foreign woman was caught with a satellite phone at Indira Gandhi International Airport. This phone is often associated with terrorists and Naxalites. A satellite phone was also recovered from the Naxalites in the raid conducted in Andaman. This satellite phone belonged to Elon Musk's company Starlink, after which many questions were asked about the company.

But this question must come to your mind what is this satellite phone? Is it not like a smartphone? How different is it? Why is so much caution being taken about it? You will get the answers to all these questions here. First of all, you should know what satellite phones are…

What is the difference between satellite phones and smartphones?

Smartphones work through telephone towers and internet networks. You use networks like 4G, 5G, or Wi-Fi to make calls, send messages, and use the internet on your smartphone. If there is no network coverage, the smartphone cannot be used.

But this is not the case with satellite phones. Satellite phones connect directly to satellites above the earth instead of telecom towers. That is, they connect to satellites present in the universe. This means that there is no need for a network tower to use it. Satellite phones can also be used in places where telecom networks are not available, such as dense forests, deserts, seas, or mountainous areas.

How does a satellite phone work?

A satellite phone has an antenna that communicates directly with the satellite. When you make a call or send a message, this signal reaches the satellite directly. Then the signal is sent to the receiver through another satellite or ground station. This process takes more time than a normal mobile network.

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