The partnership will assist the navy’s multi-band, multi-constellation SATCOM technique with hybrid connectivity
In sum— what to know:
The partnership: Viasat and BSNL will assist the Indian Navy in its subsequent section of satellite tv for pc communications improve.
Max spectral effectivity: In line with the settlement, Viasat’s Ka-band satellites and L-band infrastructure might be used concurrently, alongside BSNL’s Gateway Earth Stations to attach the naval platforms.
Shift in the direction of hybrid connectivity: The partnership displays a broader shift towards hybrid connectivity that dynamically integrates completely different satellite tv for pc spectrum bands to fill gaps in protection.
Viasat and Indian telecom agency, Bharat Sanchar Nigam Restricted (BSNL), introduced a brand new strategic partnership final week aimed toward enhancing the Indian Navy’s satellite tv for pc communications (SATCOM) capabilities. The collaboration will assist a brand new naval infrastructure modernization initiative, set to launch later this month.
Underneath the partnership, Indian naval platforms will join through Viasat’s Ka-band satellites methods, and its L-band infrastructure for direct-to-device providers, for what the businesses described as “enhanced, resilient, and safe connectivity.”
The satellite tv for pc frequency bands provide completely different benefits. L-band offers dependable connectivity with higher climate penetration, vital to energy use instances, reminiscent of maritime and emergency. Against this, Ka-band is extra climate delicate, however delivers vastly superior bandwidth enabling super-fast information switch required for bandwidth-intensive functions, like HD streaming and IoTs.
“This improve combines the resilience of L-band with the facility of high-throughput Ka-band, offering enhanced connectivity for mission-critical operations,” Todd McDonell, president of Worldwide Authorities at Viasat, stated in an announcement.
Underneath the settlement, Viasat will present expanded protection through its international satellite tv for pc community, whereas BSNL will deliver its Gateway Earth Stations, its floor amenities for connecting land-based networks with satellites.
This isn’t the primary time Viasat is supporting a authorities initiative in India. The supplier has been a long-standing know-how companion, supporting the federal government’s mission-critical SATCOM providers for protection forces and catastrophe response. McDonell stated the partnership reinforces Viasat’s “long-term dedication” to India’s protection and maritime communication ecosystem.
Equally, the work with BSNL additionally spans a number of years. “This milestone marks an necessary step ahead in our ongoing collaboration with BSNL and the Indian Protection Forces,” stated Gautam Sharma, managing director of Viasat India.
Most not too long ago, the suppliers introduced a collaboration on the India Cell World Congress 2025, launching coaching and business readiness packages centered on arial connectivity.
Technical assist for the just-announced Indian naval program might be offered by Viasat’s worldwide group. Sharma stated that gear has landed in India and set up work is ready to start out later this month.
Viasat launched its expanded international Ka-band community for presidency prospects in Dec, 2025. The service integrates Viasat’s Ka-band satellites, the International Xpress satellite tv for pc fleet, and choose companion satellites, providing international, multi-orbit connectivity for presidency and army customers.
“This development displays our dedication to offering trusted, user-centric communication providers that give warfighters the worldwide attain and data benefit they require in at this time’s more and more contested environments,” Victor Farah, senior VP of Authorities Providers and Options, stated in an announcement.
Hybrid connectivity is more and more rising as a de-facto strategy in mission-critical SATCOM. Integrating a number of spectrum bands permits operators to increase protection throughout transoceanic operations and fill gaps in service. By leveraging L-band in excessive climate and low-visibility situations, whereas falling again on the established Ku-band or the newer Ka-band to energy bandwidth-intensive functions in truthful situations, versus counting on a band of alternative, operators can ship always-on connectivity for mission-critical environments.

