Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) and Viasat India have announced expanded collaboration initiatives focused on further promoting skill development and industry readiness in the field of satellite communications and emerging technologies, as well as the commercialisation of advanced uncrewed aircraft solutions. These new collaboration efforts between BSNL and Viasat India formally kicked off recently during the India Mobile Congress 2025.
Bharat Ratna Bhim Rao Ambedkar Institute of Telecom Training (BRBRAITT), a specialised training institute under BSNL located in Jabalpur, offers key infrastructure and logistical support for enabling local technology training programs. The collaboration between Viasat and BRBRAITT will focus on advancing skills development and establishing a centre of excellence (CoE) for uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs), the internet of things (IoT), and other related advanced technologies. BRBRRAITT will provide new infrastructure, classrooms, and logistical support for the training programs. Engineering students from information technology (IT), electronics and communication, and computer science streams will have the opportunity to participate in sessions and demonstrations of Viasat terminals at the centre of excellence through this collaboration.
Additionally, the companies will also collaborate on commercialising Viasat’s Velaris uncrewed air solutions for the Indian market. Viasat’s Velaris is a satellite communications (satcom) service that provides secure and reliable connectivity for uncrewed aircraft to operate beyond visual line of sight. This technology is crucial for enabling the integration of UAVs into commercial airspace. The service operates on Viasat’s global L-band satellite network, which is designed for high-reliability, safety-critical applications.
These collaborations support continued progress toward building a robust low-altitude economy in India, an emerging sector encompassing aerial operations below 3,000 meters, including drones and advanced air mobility. India’s drone market is on a rapid growth trajectory, with projections indicating substantial expansion by 2030. This planned work between Viasat and BSNL is anticipated to create the necessary ecosystem to support this growth.
Both efforts aim to advance the Government of India’s flagship missions such as Skill India and Digital India by equipping engineering students with practical exposure to satellite technology including UAV and IoT applications.
Commenting on the collaboration, chairman and managing director (CMD), BSNL, said, “This is a strategic collaboration that aligns with our goal to foster innovation and build indigenous capabilities. The CoE at BRBRAITT will equip a new generation of professionals with critical skills, while our work to commercialise Viasat’s Velaris will enable new and innovative services for our customers, driving economic growth and development across the country.”
Meanwhile, Gautam Sharma, MD, Viasat India, said, “We are excited to expand our work with BSNL, a trusted leader in Indian telecommunications. These collaborations are a testament to 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 collaborate with BSNL’s BRBRAITT to establish a robust framework for educating students in satellite technology across India.”