Indian telecom minister Manoj Sinha said mobile operator BSNL will remove monthly fee of Rs 500 on DSPT services (satellite phones) to soldiers and officers of various army and para-military units like CRPF, BSF, BRO, ITBP, etc.

BSNL, a state-owned telecom operator, will also cut the satellite phones charges to Re 1 per minute from Rs 5 per minute – enabling defense personnel to talk without worrying for more expenses to their home and their Headquarter.

The soldiers and officers, who are posted away from their homes and headquarters, use only DSPT service provided by BSNL because there is no other means of communications available in those areas.