Indian state-owned telco Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) and global satellite operator Viasat have announced a partnership to modernise the Indian Navy’s satellite communications infrastructure.
Under an agreement between BSNL and the Indian Defence Forces, the Navy will deploy Viasat’s Ka-band satellite systems alongside its existing L-band network. The hybrid architecture is designed to deliver more resilient, secure, and high-performance connectivity across Indian naval platforms.
Viasat said the initiative will enable a shift toward a multi-band, multi-constellation communications model. By combining BSNL’s gateway earth station with Viasat’s global satellite network, the Navy will gain broader coverage, higher throughput, and improved reliability for mission-critical operations.
Todd McDonell, president of Viasat’s international government segment, said the upgrade “combines the resilience of L-band with the power of high-throughput Ka-band, providing enhanced connectivity for mission-critical operations.”
Viasat India managing director Gautam Sharma confirmed that project equipment has already arrived in India, with installation activities set to begin this month.
