[Editor’s Note: This article first appeared on our sister site, ExplorersWeb, on January 15, 2025.]
Runners and hikers touring to India needs to be warned of the risks of carrying a Garmin inReach Mini and different satellite tv for pc units. In December 2024, Canadian path runner Tina Lewis was arrested for touring with a Garmin inReach Mini. Within the weeks since then, a number of extra arrests in India for carrying a Garmin inReach have occurred. These satellite tv for pc communicators, used for texting when there isn’t a cell connection, are unlawful in India. All GPS units with two-way transmission capabilities are.
In early December 2024, path runner Tina Lewis was arrested in Goa, India, for carrying a satellite tv for pc GPS gadget with out permission. Right here, she’s pictured earlier in her go to to India on the Taj Mahal. Photograph courtesy of Tina Lewis.
A mountain chief and thru-hiker from Scotland with the Instagram deal with “Hiker_Heather” was detained some weeks in the past on the Delhi’s Indira Gandhi Worldwide Airport. She was going via safety for a home flight, and positioned her gadget within the tray for scanning. She was arrested and questioned for the remainder of the day. Authorities lastly launched her, however she needed to return for a court docket date.
“I’m not the one one who has fallen sufferer to this regulation, therefore I felt compelled to put in writing this publish, in hope that it’s going to save even certainly one of you from struggling the identical destiny,” the trekker wrote on social media, shocked by her disagreeable expertise. Curiously, she claimed she had been carrying the gadget round whereas trekking with out issues — till airport authorities seen it.
Heather’s case is just like that of Lewis, who was arrested at Goa Dabolim Worldwide Airport. The incident brought on Lewis a hectic week. She was launched on bail, however authorities held her passport. She was finally freed after hundreds of {dollars} in authorized prices.
Banned Since 1933
It’s broadly recognized amongst vacationers that satellite tv for pc telephones, particularly these related to the Iridium community, are forbidden in India. However many appear to not know that units such because the Garmin inReach Mini, generally utilized by path runners and ultrarunners, are additionally related to Iridium.
Many path runners and ultrarunners use units just like the Garmin inReach Mini to remain related within the backcountry. Photograph: iRunFar/Meghan Hicks
The gadget can register the person’s location and tempo, nevertheless it additionally permits satellite tv for pc communication with the surface world by way of messaging. It’s this that violates India’s Wi-fi Telegraphy Act, which was handed in 1933, lengthy earlier than satellite tv for pc communications existed, and even earlier than India’s independence. The regulation cites safety causes to ban any wi-fi system that may transmit messages overseas. When initially handed, the act referred to radio transmissions. The previous act reads:
“Whoever possesses any 1 [wireless telegraphy apparatus, other than a wireless transmitter,] in contravention of the provisions of part 3 shall be punished, within the case of the primary offence, with tremendous which can lengthen to 1 hundred rupees, and, within the case of a second or subsequent offence, with tremendous which can lengthen to 2 hundred and fifty rupees.”
The 1933 act was amended numerous occasions over time, most just lately by the 2023 Telecommunications Act. But all variations prohibit using satellite tv for pc transmission units, except the traveler obtains particular permission from the Division of Telecommunicationsbefore getting into the nation. Nevertheless, such permission is neither quick nor simple to acquire.
The Garmin inReach Mini. Photograph: iRunFar/Meghan Hicks
What To not Carry
One other supply of stress for runners and hikers wishing to discover India, is discovering out which units are banned, and which aren’t. Along with inReach units, a number of fashions within the Garmin Edge GPS biking computer systems might trigger comparable issues. Garmin’s web site features a checklist of nations the place satellite tv for pc communicators are forbidden or regulated.
Nevertheless, a number of websites and boards on the web state that GPS-connected units with receive-only capabilities are secure to convey. So, what can we put in our backpack or operating vest on our subsequent journey to India?
Insider Ideas
We requested native mountain information and long-distance bike owner Sunil Nataraj. He admitted the problem has been a ache for him as properly. “The ban impacts not solely foreigners however Indian nationals,” he stated.
Nataraj, an Everest summiter and information, advised ExplorersWeb that he makes use of a Garmin inReach when he’s in Nepal however leaves the gadget with a buddy in Kathmandu earlier than returning to India. Unsurprisingly, locals can’t even purchase an inReach in India.
Sunil Nataraj in Nepal. Photograph courtesy of Sunil Nataraj.
So, is it doable to make use of a satellite tv for pc telephone in India beneath any circumstances? It’s, however not as an unbiased traveler. Registered expedition firms primarily based in India might apply for a license to make use of such units on the Division of Communication and the Ministry of Battle. The executive course of is lengthy and sophisticated, which leaves out most small firms. Just a few of the larger operators acquire that license for his or her guided journeys.
Warning for Cyclists and Different Vacationers
Even with non-Iridium units, Nataraj defined the issue is just not within the area however getting into the nation. GPS computer systems for cyclists, particularly the Garmin Edge sequence, are additionally unlawful.
Nataraj says it is a scorching problem amongst India’s massive biking neighborhood. Many athletes journey to competitions and long-distance races overseas and face issues when returning dwelling.
“Some mates of mine traveled to competitions overseas carrying their very own Garmin GPS units, which that they had purchased in India, however that they had them confiscated after they returned to the nation.”
As of final week, nonetheless, Nataraj says that Garmin’s GPS bike units had been unavailable to buy in his nation, though the model Coros had the same gadget in inventory.
Nataraj stated smartwatches are allowed, together with when getting into and leaving India. All smartphones are additionally permitted. The newer iPhones permit two-way satellite tv for pc texting by way of the Globalstar community when off-grid, however that function solely works in the USA and Canada so far.
Smartwatches just like the Apple Watch Extremely 2 look like nonetheless permitted in India. Photograph: iRunFar/Eszter Horanyi
Critical Penalties
Breaching Indian regulation can have severe penalties.
“Should you get caught with a tool that features an Iridium chip, which can occur whereas getting into or exiting the nation, you could be arrested, particularly foreigners,” says Nataraj. “Indian nationals will most definitely have the gadget confiscated on the airport and shall be launched with a warning.”
Requested if the state of affairs would possibly change, Nataraj defined that teams equivalent to India’s Mountaineering Federation are attempting to make their case. However he believes that mountaineering is just not but highly effective sufficient to vary such a well-entrenched coverage.
Compromising Security
The restrictions on communications are particularly troublesome for climbers and runners who enterprise into remoted components of the Indian Himalaya. InReach and comparable units have grow to be important for communications and security. An expedition’s solely choice is to return to the old-school low-frequency radio in base camp — if they’ve a base camp crew in any respect.
In a means, it’s like returning to the twentieth century, when expeditions spent weeks out of contact. They’ll solely notify the surface world of their security or success after they return to a spot with web or cell protection.
Nanda Devi within the Indian Himalaya. Photograph: Shutterstock
No Excellent Answer
It’s not ours to find out whether or not a regulation with near-century-old origins is smart within the hyper-connected twenty first century. Undoubtedly, some events stash inReaches of their checked baggage and hope they get away with it. Many most likely do. However the reality is, GPS-connected units stay an issue in India.
Name for Feedback
- Have you ever or anybody you recognize had the same expertise?
- Are there some other widespread instruments that runners use that may be problematic when touring, that you recognize of?