New Delhi, October 28 (Udaipur Kiran) — Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) and Viasat India have entered into a strategic collaboration aimed at advancing the satellite communications (satcom) industry in India. The partnership was officially announced during the India Mobile Congress (IMC) 2025, with both companies pledging to accelerate connectivity in rural areas and promote technological innovation in emerging satellite-based sectors.
Focus on Skill Development and Emerging Technologies
The collaboration will focus on skill development, industry readiness, and technology innovation within satellite communications and related fields. A key objective of the partnership is to create a talent pipeline capable of driving India’s expanding low-altitude economy, which covers aerial operations below 3,000 meters — including drones, uncrewed aircraft, and advanced air mobility systems.
Center of Excellence for UAVs and IoT
As part of the agreement, BSNL and Viasat will jointly establish a Center of Excellence (CoE) dedicated to Uncrewed Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), the Internet of Things (IoT), and other advanced technologies. The CoE will be set up at the Bharat Ratna Bhim Rao Ambedkar Institute of Telecom Training (BRBRAITT) in Jabalpur, a premier BSNL training institute.
The center will focus on hands-on training, research, and development in satellite-enabled communication technologies, helping professionals acquire cutting-edge skills relevant to next-generation connectivity.
Commercialising Viasat’s Velaris in India
In addition to training initiatives, the partnership will also work toward commercializing Viasat’s Velaris uncrewed air solutions in the Indian market. Velaris enables reliable connectivity for autonomous aircraft and drone operations, even in regions without traditional network coverage.
This could mark a major step for India, which currently lacks mobile network connectivity on domestic flights, by introducing next-generation satellite-based in-flight and low-altitude communication systems.
Industry Leaders Speak
Robert J. Ravi, Chairman and Managing Director of BSNL, said:
“This is a strategic collaboration that aligns with our goal to foster innovation and build indigenous capabilities. The Centre of Excellence at BRBRAITT will equip a new generation of professionals with critical skills, while our work to commercialize Viasat’s Velaris will enable innovative services that drive economic growth and development across India.”
Gautam Sharma, Managing Director of Viasat India, added:
“We are excited to expand our work with BSNL, a trusted leader in Indian telecommunications. These collaborations reaffirm our commitment to India’s Digital India vision and will help unlock the immense potential of the country’s low-altitude economy. We are also proud to partner with BSNL’s BRBRAITT to build a robust educational framework for satellite technology.”
A Step Toward India’s Digital Future
The BSNL–Viasat partnership is seen as a milestone in India’s journey toward becoming a global satellite communications hub. By combining BSNL’s national reach with Viasat’s expertise in satellite-based broadband and aerial communication, the initiative aims to bridge the connectivity gap in remote regions while nurturing the country’s growing ecosystem of UAVs, IoT, and aerospace innovation.
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.