ViaSat sets up R&D centre in India

The R&D centre in Chennai will have more than 30,000 square feet to accommodate nearly 125 engineers

US-based broadband services and technology firm ViaSat Inc has launched its research and development (R&D) centre in Chennai to strengthen its presence in India and to support its global activities. The company is expecting to expand its capacity in the facility in three years and would look at favourable policies from the government to start its satellite broadband service in India, said senior officials from the company.

The R&D centre in Chennai will have more than 30,000 square feet to accommodate nearly 125 engineers and by 2019, it is expected to have more than 250 engineeres in Chennai, working on next-generation technologies, it said. The company refused to divulge investment details in the new facility.

 

The company is also looking at opportunity to offer its broadband services to customers in India. However, it has to wait for launch of a satellite to equip this and also for a favourable policy decision from the Government of India towards satellite broadband services, said Sathya Narayanaswamy, vice-president, ViaSat India.

The company, which primarily offers satellite broadband services to people in homes and travellers in airplane, currently has a satellilte up and running, offering services to the US. It would be launching another satellite in 2017, which would help it to start services in North America and some parts of Europe.

It is expected to launch a class of satellites, which will have three satellites in 2019, to serve various parts of the world, including India. Simultaneously, it is also planning to talk to the Government of India regarding the policy frameworks for allowing its services in India.

The upcoming satellite launch would be taking from Arianespace, the spaceport in French Guiana and it is also in discussions with various agencies for the launch of the ViaSat 3 class satellites.