Thanks to a new collaboration between the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) and leading global satellite communications provider Viasat, internet connectivity over India may soon be possible. Even though India only approved in-flight internet services a few years ago, there is still little connectivity in the sky. This is expected to change, though, when GSAT-20, ISRO's most sophisticated satellite, is launched by the end of this year.

Who is the game changer ~ GSAT-20 

The high throughput satellite GSAT-20, which is presently being built at the UR Rao Satellite Centre in Bengaluru, would represent a major advancement in communication technology. High throughput satellites are perfect for dependable internet connectivity since they can transfer data at substantially higher rates than typical satellites. A vital void in India's aviation industry is being filled by setting aside 5% of GSAT-20's capacity for in-flight internet.

Inter Connectivity at Sky Level !? (Source: Google Images) 

The Function of Viasat in Linking India ~  

Viasat, a communications corporation established in California with a strong presence in India, is well-positioned to be a key player in this endeavor. The company is now concentrating on bridging the "big internet hole over India," where domestic flights lose connectivity after they take off. The company already provides crucial connectivity services to the Indian military forces and other industries. Viasat Chairman and CEO Mark Dankberg views this partnership as mutually beneficial. Dankberg underlined the significance of this collaboration by telling NDTV that “ISRO's GSAT-20 satellite will help give in-flight internet connectivity, and Viasat looks to cooperate in this win-win combination.”

Increasing the Legacy of Viasat in India  ~ 

In India, Viasat has goals beyond providing in-flight internet. In keeping with its goal to "reach the unreached," the organization seeks to reach out to rural and underserved communities around the nation. The president of Viasat, K Guru Gowrappan, emphasized the potential to link 1.4 billion Indians by utilizing the business's long history in the country's military industry. "Viasat is making a big push to reach the unreached," Gowrappan stated. "Viasat has a strong defense history in India, and connecting 1.4 billion Indians presents a significant opportunity for the company."

An International Partnership for an Impacting Local Effect  ~ 

India has chosen to employ SpaceX's Falcon-9 rocket to launch the GSAT-20 because the satellite weighs 4,700 kg more than India's Launch Vehicle Mark-3, popularly known as the "Bahubali rocket," can hold in order to put it into a geostationary orbit. This choice emphasizes how cooperative international space initiatives are. Viasat's recent acquisition of Inmarsat, a leader in high-seas connectivity, has strengthened the Indian Navy's communication capabilities and further solidified India's position as a major space power. Dankberg also made a hint about potential future developments, saying Viasat might think about producing satellites in India for the international market, taking advantage of the nation's reputation for dependable and reasonably priced technology.

The partnership with Viasat represents a critical step toward guaranteeing continuous in-flight internet access and extending digital reach throughout the country as India gets ready to launch GSAT-20. This breakthrough could completely transform air travel in India and provide travelers with the connectedness they've been waiting for a long time.