03 June 2016: Inmarsat has appointed Gautam Sharma as managing director for India at Inmarsat; a market with significant strategic importance for the UK-listed company.

Mr Sharma joins Inmarsat having most recently held a series of senior international positions with telecommunications equipment and services company Huawei.

Commenting on the new appointment, Inmarsat’s CEO, Rupert Pearce, said: “According to the World Bank, India is forecast to be the world’s fastest growing economy in 2016. Together with our strategic partner, BSNL, we have the opportunity to address the significant potential demand for reliable, mobile satellite communication services across a broad range of commercial and public sectors.

Long-term commitment

“Our selection of Gautam Sharma, a highly experienced Indian telecoms leader, as managing director of our Indian operations is a further sign of our long-term commitment to and the growth potential of the market in India”.

Inmarsat has signed an agreement to partner with Indian state-owned telecommunications company Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) to distribute its fourth generation, L-band voice and data services within the Indian market.

One of the first priorities for Mr Sharma will be to work closely with BSNL to strengthen their partnership and open a new gateway that will support the anticipated increase in Indian-based end-users of Inmarsat’s services.

Huge potential

Anupam Shrivastava, Chairman & Managing Director of BSNL said: ” BSNL considers its relationship with Inmarsat of high strategic value and BSNL looks forward to providing satellite communications connectivity in India, where terrestrial networks can’t reach, to the benefit of multiple industries and communities.”

As the only Government authorised mobile satellite services in the Indian market, Mr Sharma believes there is huge potential for Inmarsat and its services – including the recently completed high-speed broadband Global Xpress constellation – to support economic and social development.

Mr Sharma said: “We firmly believe that satellite communications can play a significant part in helping India’s connectivity. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has a strategic vision around Digital India and we believe there is a vital role for satellite communications to play within that project and beyond.”

Transformational capabilities

Government, maritime and aviation connectivity are all sectors where Mr Sharma believes Inmarsat can make progress in the coming months and years.

He added: “There is a real opportunity for us to support and enhance the ability for both public and private sector organisations to access critical connectivity services. Inmarsat’s satellite communications network can provide transformational capabilities that will benefit a number of key sectors.”

In addition to dealing with private sector clients including telecom OEMs and operators across Asia, he also has significant experience of doing business with Government departments and commercial organisations.

Career experience

His previous career experience includes roles with optical and wireless solutions firm Arasor International Holding as well as Globsyn and Hexacom India Limited (now Airtel).

He has a Post Graduate Diploma in Telecom Management, Specialization in Marketing & Telecommunication, Symbiosis from the Symbiosis Institute of Telecom Management, Pune, India, as well as a degree in Mechanical Engineering, from the Birla Institute of Technology & Science, (BITS, Pilani), Rajasthan, India.