New Centre of Excellence at BRBRAITT to train students in UAV, IoT, and satellite tech, supporting India’s low-altitude economy and Digital India goals
Strategic Expansion for Emerging Tech and Connectivity
Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) and Viasat India have expanded their partnership to focus on skill development, UAV commercialization, and strengthening India’s satellite technology ecosystem. The collaboration, announced at India Mobile Congress 2025, supports key national initiatives such as Digital India and Skill India.
- Focus on satcom talent development and drone-based services.
- Push to unlock economic value from India’s low-altitude airspace.
Centre of Excellence for UAV and IoT Training
A core component of this partnership is the establishment of a Centre of Excellence (CoE) at BRBRAITT Jabalpur, BSNL’s premier training institute.
- CoE will train students in Uncrewed Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), Internet of Things (IoT), and satellite communication technologies.
- Students will get hands-on exposure to Viasat terminals and real-world connectivity solutions.
- Designed to bridge the skill gap in next-gen telecom and aerospace domains.
This initiative aims to create a future-ready workforce capable of driving innovation in India’s digital infrastructure.
Commercializing Viasat’s Velaris for Indian Airspace
The partnership also accelerates the commercial rollout of Viasat’s Velaris platform in India.
- Velaris enables uncrewed aircraft to operate beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS), a critical capability for commercial drone operations.
- Operates via Viasat’s global L-band satellite network, optimized for safety-critical and secure communications.
- Helps integrate drones into controlled commercial airspace for logistics, surveillance, and emergency services.
This represents a major leap in India’s UAV adoption, especially in areas with limited terrestrial network coverage.
Enabling India’s Low-Altitude Economy
The extended collaboration also aligns with the development of India’s low-altitude economy, encompassing drone applications and aerial mobility below 3,000 meters.
- Potential uses include agriculture monitoring, infrastructure inspection, medical deliveries, and disaster management.
- With India’s drone market expected to grow exponentially by 2030, this move helps build a robust ecosystem to support that growth.
- Acts as a catalyst for drone tech integration across industries.
Leadership on the Vision Behind the Collaboration
Robert J Ravi, CMD of BSNL, emphasized the broader mission:
“This is a strategic collaboration that aligns with our goal to foster innovation and build indigenous capabilities. The CoE will equip a new generation with critical skills, and Velaris will enable innovative services across India.”
Gautam Sharma, MD of Viasat India, highlighted the impact:
“These initiatives reaffirm our commitment to India’s ‘Digital India’ vision. Our collaboration with BSNL and BRBRAITT helps unlock the immense potential of India’s low-altitude economy and future satellite experts.”
Why This Matters
- Brings satellite-backed UAV capabilities to the forefront of India’s telecom sector.
- Empowers students and professionals with emerging tech skills, creating a pipeline of talent.
- Supports India’s transition toward connected, smart infrastructure in air and on ground.
This initiative lays the foundation for rural connectivity, aerial logistics, and national innovation goals, all powered by satellite-backed systems and trained professional
