New Delhi, February 2026.

Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) and ViasatIndia kickedoff its first training programonSatellite and Applications of Satellite Technology, under the aegis of proposed Telecom Innovation, Research and Training Center (TIRTC), at Bharat Ratna Bhim Rao Ambedkar Institute of Telecom Training (BRBRAITT) Jabalpur. The initiative as per vision of Sh. Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, Hon’ble Minister of Communications and Development of North-Eastern Region, Government of India,marks the commencement of skilling courses in Satellite technology. The collaborationof BSNL and Viasat India was announced last yearto promote skill development and industry readiness in the field of satellite communications and emerging use cases.

The launch event was attended byMr. Robert Ravi, CMD, BSNL,Mr. Anil Kumar Bhardwaj DDG Department of Telecommunications, Mr. Ben Palmer, President- Commercial at Viasat, Mr. Gautam Sharma, MD, Viasat India, Sandeep Moorthy, VP - Advanced NTNSolutions, Viasat at the Bharat Sanchar Bhawan. The faculty members and students were present at the training center (BRBRAITT), at Jabalpur during the ceremony.

Under the collaboration, the inaugural course, on Satellite and Applications of Satellite Technology,is a 22-hour virtual programfor students and early-career professionals.​ The training sessions will be delivered online by anexpert trainer. The program aims to benefit college students, IT and engineering professionals and fresh graduates seeking foundational knowledge in satellite communications and satellite-enabled applications.​

This course marks the first step in a broader skilling roadmap anchored at BRBRAITT, a specialized training institute under BSNL located in Jabalpur that provides infrastructure and logistical support for technology training programs.

Robert J Ravi, Chairman and Managing Director of BSNL said, “We are really happy to hit the ground with our inaugural course under the collaborationwith Viasat India, aligned with our goal to foster innovation and build indigenous capabilities. We are also excited to see BRBRAITT’s growing role in equippinga new generation of professionals with critical skillsfor the future. We are committed to expanding on this collaboration in the future as well and bring more courses and facilities for the students.”​

Ben Palmer, President- Commercial at Viasatsaid, “Building a future-ready satellite-related talent pipeline is essential as India accelerates its digital and emerging-tech ambitions. With this first course at BRBRAITT, we aim to make high-quality satellite fundamentals accessible to students and professionals, and over time expand to blended virtual and classroom programs. We also wish to set up a ‘Center of Excellence’ in the future, where students ​can undergo hands-on experience and enrich their understanding through live demonstrations of equipment.”

Anil Kumar Bhardwaj, DDG, DoT said,“The Satellite Communications module is in addition to already ongoing trainings being conducted by global tech leaders in communications technologies and use cases. TIRTC has been the vision of Hon’ble Minister Sh. Jyotiraditya M. Scindia to create highly skilled manpower in the advance field of communications and help India become a leader in Telecom Design, Development, Manufacturing and services. We thank Viasat India for enabling the Satellite Communications and Application training.”

Dr Manish Shukla, ITS, CGM, (BRBRAITT) Jabalpur said,“Launched under the prestigious project ‘TIRTC(Telecom Innovation, Research Training Centre), this Satellite Communication Training Program by VIasat reflects BRBRAITT’s strong commitment to fostering industry–academia collaboration in emerging and strategic technologies. Conducted in partnership with DoT and Viasat, the program is designed to provide students with comprehensive exposure to satellite fundamentals, communication link design, advanced satellite architectures, ground segment operations, and real-world applications.”

Our objective is to bridge the gap between academic learning and industry expectations, empowering students with practical skills and global perspectives in the rapidly evolving satellite communication sector.”