 The ownership and operation of satellite communications systems and amateur radio equipment is strictly regulated in India.Satellite phones have to either be purchased in India from an authorized distributor or can be imported into India after receiving permission from the Department of Telecommunications (DoT).Following the Mumbai terror attacks in 2011, the Directorate General of Shipping (DGS) banned the use of Thuraya and Iridium satellite phones and infrastructure in 2012; restrictions were already in place in 2010, for similar reasons, under provisions in the Indian Telegraph Act.