Government Connectivity Enters New Era: MetTel and Partners Highlight LEO Satellite Solutions

Government Connectivity Enters New Era: MetTel and Partners Highlight LEO Satellite Solutions
by Clarence Oxford
Los Angeles CA (SPX) Jan 31, 2024

MetTel, a company recognized by Gartner for its leadership in Managed Network Services, is planning a private event in Washington, D.C., on February 7. The event, named "Space Age Communications: Bridging Network Gaps for Government Agencies," aims to present the capabilities of low earth orbit (LEO) satellites for government network connectivity.

The need for dependable, efficient, and secure connectivity is growing among government agencies. MetTel's event will address these needs by exploring how LEO satellites can support various needs such as remote location connectivity, network diversity, and disaster response, offering improved speed and reliability.

Speakers from the General Services Administration (GSA), the Federal Mobility Group (FMG), SAIC, along with experts from MetTel, VMware, and Starlink, will discuss the current use and benefits of LEO satellite technology.

The interest in satellite communication is increasing, driven by the advancements in satellite systems that offer higher capacity and faster data speeds. The global satellite communication market is expected to grow significantly, with Starlink already serving over two million users worldwide.

Starlink's network, consisting of more than 5,000 satellites, aims to reduce the latency common in satellite communication to around 20 milliseconds and provide internet speeds of up to 150 megabits per second, addressing the challenge of distance and signal delay.

MetTel has been an early adopter of using VMware SD-WAN technology over Starlink's network for both demonstration purposes and enterprise clients. This technology is especially relevant for public sector needs, providing a solution for consistent and reliable connectivity for public and emergency services.

Don Parente, MetTel Federal's Vice President of Sales and Solution Architecture, mentioned, "By using SD-WAN technology over the Starlink network, we're addressing the key issues of satellite connectivity, such as latency and bandwidth, improving communication for government organizations."

The upcoming event is set to showcase how the integration of space technology with network solutions can enhance government connectivity, emphasizing the practical benefits and applications of LEO satellite technology for improving government service delivery.