Viasat, DoT & BSNL Partner to Expand Direct-to-Device Services

• Viasat and BSNL collaborate to advance D2D satellite connectivity for Indian smartphones.
• Targets urban-rural connectivity gaps using 3GPP Release 17 standards, no special equipment.
• Gautam Sharma, Viasat MD, targets significant D2D progress by late 2025 or early 2026.

Viasat, a U.S.-based satellite operator, is partnering with the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL), and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to enhance its direct-to-device (D2D) satellite connectivity services in India. The initiative aims to bridge connectivity gaps in both urban and rural areas, enabling access to voice, data, and internet services directly on standard smartphones without specialized equipment.

Gautam Sharma, Managing Director of Viasat, announced at the ITU-APT Foundation of India (IAFI) Space Policy Conference 2025 (ISPC-25) that the company is actively working to scale its D2D business. Sharma expressed optimism about achieving significant progress by the end of 2025 or early 2026.

Unlike traditional satellite communication services, such as low-Earth orbit (LEO) broadband or Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT) internet, which requires dedicated terminals, D2D leverages the 3GPP Release 17 global mobile standards to enable seamless connectivity on everyday smartphones.

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Viasat is in collaboration with BSNL, successfully demonstrated D2D satellite connectivity in India last year, showcasing two-way messaging capabilities powered by satellites. Despite its potential, industry experts note that D2D technology is still in its early stages, with challenges such as fragmented standards and limited commercial viability for mass-market smartphones, which hinders widespread adoption by handset and chipset manufacturers.

Viasat is also exploring hybrid adaptive networks that integrate sovereign and commercial satellite systems for potential trials with Indian defense forces. Sharma emphasized the importance of building resilient networks with multiple layers, combining sovereign assets with trusted commercial partners.

To meet the increasing demand of satellite communications in India, Sharma asked the regulators to ensure that India had good orbital positions as well as frequencies so that the interests of the country would be catered just like that of other countries globally.