New Delhi: State-owned Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) on Friday announced a strategic collaboration with satellite communications company Viasat to roll out the Indian Navy’s next phase of satellite communications upgrade programme, scheduled to begin later this month. The initiative aims to enhance connectivity, security, and operational efficiency for the Navy’s critical maritime platforms.
Multi-Band Satellite Network for Enhanced Connectivity
Under the agreement signed with the Indian Defence Forces, the upgrade will integrate Viasat’s high-frequency Ka-band satellite systems with BSNL’s existing low-frequency L-band infrastructure. The combination of high-speed Ka-band and wide-coverage L-band will provide resilient, secure, and high-throughput communication capabilities, supporting the Navy’s mission-critical operations.
BSNL Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) Robert Ravi highlighted the strategic importance of the partnership: “BSNL is proud to support the Indian Navy’s satcom modernisation by providing advanced connectivity solutions through our partnership with Viasat. This upgrade reflects BSNL’s ongoing commitment to enabling India’s strategic communication needs with resilient and secure infrastructure.”
International Support and Technical Expertise
Viasat’s international government team will assist in the programme under its communications services segment. Gautam Sharma, Managing Director of Viasat India, said: “With the equipment having arrived in India and installation activities set to begin this month, we are proud to support the Indian Navy in modernising its satellite communication capabilities. This milestone marks an important step forward in our ongoing collaboration with BSNL and the Indian Defence Forces.”
High-frequency bands like Ka-band are capable of transmitting signals at faster speeds over short ranges, while L-band frequencies provide extensive coverage. The integration of both bands ensures optimal communication for naval operations across different scenarios.
Towards a Multi-Band, Multi-Constellation SATCOM Strategy
The upgrade will enable the Indian Navy to adopt a multi-band, multi-constellation satellite communication (SATCOM) strategy. Leveraging BSNL’s Gateway Earth Station and Viasat’s global satellite network, the initiative promises expanded coverage, higher throughput, and improved reliability. Todd McDonell, President of International Government at Viasat, said: “This upgrade combines the resilience of L-band with the power of high-throughput Ka-band, providing enhanced connectivity for mission-critical operations. It also reinforces our long-term commitment to India’s defence and maritime communication ecosystem.”
About BSNL
Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) is India’s state-owned telecommunications provider, operating across landline, mobile, and broadband services. With a strong presence in strategic and remote locations, BSNL has played a crucial role in enabling digital connectivity for defence, government, and public infrastructure projects nationwide. The collaboration with Viasat underscores BSNL’s commitment to supporting India’s defence modernization and secure communications infrastructure.
