Global satellite communications operator Eutelsat has announced that it has partnered with Indian telecom giant Airtel to provide its OneWeb low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite connectivity for the Indian Army’s relief efforts in Sri Lanka, according to a press release.
For context, Cyclone Ditwah, which struck India’s southern neighbour on November 27 this year, has severely strained the island nation. The natural disaster reportedly caused over 600 fatalities, with more than 600,000 families displaced.
Furthermore, Sri Lanka’s Road Development Authority reportedly incurred losses of nearly Rs 75 billion due to the destruction of roads and bridges caused by the devastating cyclone. Meanwhile, the island nation’s National Water Supply and Drainage Board suffered estimated losses of Rs 5.6 billion.
Notably, Eutelsat’s satellite connectivity in Sri Lanka is facilitating crucial round-the-clock telemedicine consultations with specialist medical teams, while also helping the Indian armed forces deliver essential healthcare and emergency services without delay.
What Did Eutelsat Say?
Eutelsat highlighted the critical role of satellite communication and related infrastructure during disaster response efforts. “The initiative highlights the critical role of resilient, fast satellite infrastructure in restoring essential services and in operational continuity during disaster response efforts,” the satcom company said.
Meanwhile, Neha Idnani, Eutelsat’s Regional Vice President for the Asia-Pacific region, said the company remains committed to supporting the Indian Army’s relief efforts in Sri Lanka and will continue to provide resilient connectivity.
“Eutelsat is deeply committed to supporting the Indian Army’s relief efforts with OneWeb LEO connectivity, delivered in partnership with Airtel. The ability to maintain high-quality communications in crisis situations is vital, and we remain committed to equipping organisations on the ground with the secure, resilient connectivity required to safeguard lives and enable essential services,” Idnani said.
Satellite Communications: State Of Play In Sri Lanka
When examining the satellite communications landscape in Sri Lanka, it is notable that the island nation’s government has suspended Starlink’s rollout due to national security concerns.
According to Sri Lanka’s Deputy Minister of Information Technology, Eranga Weeraratne, the suspension stems from the absence of a guaranteed provision for legal data interception.
To explain, Weeraratne said there may be instances in which individuals could use Starlink to commit unlawful acts. In such cases “the Sri Lankan security apparatus should have the right to obtain data related to such communication for legal action,” he added.
Notably, while countries such as Lesotho and Cambodia have approved Starlink operations as part of broader trade negotiations with the United States, the Indian Ocean…
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