Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL), India’s state-owned telecom operator, has partnered with global satellite communications leader Viasat to modernize the Indian Navy’s satellite infrastructure. Announced on 16 January 2026, the collaboration aims to strengthen the Navy’s communication capabilities in response to increasing demands for secure and reliable connectivity at sea.

Under a formal agreement with the Indian Defence Forces, the Navy will integrate Viasat’s advanced Ka-band satellite systems with its existing L-band network. This hybrid setup is designed to enhance operational performance across naval platforms, including ships, submarines, and aircraft, ensuring uninterrupted connectivity in diverse maritime environments.

The initiative represents a strategic move towards a multi-band, multi-constellation satellite communication framework. By leveraging BSNL’s gateway earth stations and Viasat’s extensive global satellite network, the upgrade will expand coverage across the Indian Ocean region and beyond, supporting India’s national security priorities.

Viasat highlights that combining the L-band’s proven reliability—particularly in adverse weather and high-mobility scenarios—with Ka-band’s high-throughput capacity will transform mission-critical operations. This integration addresses longstanding limitations in bandwidth and data speed, enabling real-time intelligence sharing, command-and-control functions, and tactical data links.

Todd McDonell, President of Viasat’s international government segment, emphasized the upgrade’s impact, stating it “blends L-band resilience with Ka-band high-throughput, providing enhanced connectivity for mission-critical operations,” reflecting its relevance to modern naval operations. Gautam Sharma, Managing Director of Viasat India, confirmed that the project’s equipment has already arrived, with installation set to begin this month, moving swiftly toward operational deployment. The partnership aligns with India’s broader focus on indigenous defense capabilities under the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative. BSNL’s domestic infrastructure expertise reduces reliance on foreign gateways while integrating advanced international technology.

For the Navy, the timing is critical. Amid rising geopolitical tensions in the Indo-Pacific and along contested sea lanes, robust satellite communications are vital for maritime domain awareness, fleet coordination, and deterrence. Ka-band operates in the 26.5–40 GHz frequency range, offering much higher data rates—up to gigabits per second—compared to L-band’s 1–2 GHz. Although Ka-band requires precise alignment and is vulnerable to rain fade, the multi-band approach mitigates these challenges through intelligent band-switching.

Viasat’s global network, including high-capacity satellites like ViaSat-3, will enable beyond-line-of-sight (BLOS) communication essential for blue-water operations stretching from the Arabian Sea to the South China Sea. BSNL’s earth stations will function as primary hubs for traffic management and signal processing, enhancing national control over communications while minimizing latency and adhering to Defence Ministry security standards. The project also enhances interoperability with allied forces. As India strengthens defence cooperation through Quad and bilateral initiatives, standardized satellite communications will support joint exercises and humanitarian missions across the Indo-Pacific.

Initial capabilities are expected online by mid-2026, with full multi-band integration following extensive testing. The Navy’s current L-band systems, such as Inmarsat, will continue as a backup, ensuring zero operational downtime during the transition. Economically, the initiative promotes local industry. Viasat’s in-country equipment delivery creates jobs in installation, maintenance, and training, while BSNL gains expertise in military-grade satellite communications, potentially opening opportunities with the Army and Air Force.

Challenges include spectrum management and cyber-hardening the network against electronic warfare threats, with support from DRDO entities like the Defence Electronics Research Laboratory for indigenous encryption solutions. The upgrade positions the Navy to adopt emerging technologies such as low-Earth orbit (LEO) constellations, complementing ISRO’s GSAT series and advancing India toward a fully sovereign multi-orbit satellite architecture. The BSNL-Viasat collaboration represents a significant advancement in India’s naval communications, combining resilience, speed, and strategic autonomy to meet modern maritime challenges.