Rivada & Cisco Creating Blueprint for Advanced Data Networking from Space
Global demand for reliable, high-bandwidth connectivity is rapidly increasing due to the pervasive adoption of digital technologies. Today’s global enterprise networks require solutions that extend their reach and overcome the issues of cybersecurity, latency and speed associated with the complexity and fragmentation of terrestrial infrastructure, both wired and wireless. This need is particularly critical in remote and underserved areas lacking traditional terrestrial infrastructure, where robust connectivity is essential for vital industries such as healthcare, emergency response, finance and transportation.
Satellite transport has historically been perceived as an ill-suited choice for IP WAN connectivity, reserved for remote sites lacking terrestrial options or as backup path providing temporary connectivity during a terrestrial circuit failure.
Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite constellations however offer a promising approach. By deploying numerous satellites in Low Earth Orbit (160 – 2000 km), these systems create a space-based network capable of providing access to a resilient data network virtually anywhere on the planet. Compared to traditional geostationary (GEO) satellites, LEO satellites orbit closer to Earth, resulting in significantly lower latency and higher bandwidth, making them well-suited for data-intensive applications and providing connectivity where terrestrial solutions are impractical or cost-prohibitive.
Together with Cisco, Rivada is publishing this whitepaper on advanced data networking from space which acts as a blueprint for secure, resilient data communications in orbit. The whitepaper is being presented at the Satellite 2025 event in Washington DC.
Rivada Space Network’s Outernet will usher in the new generation of Satellite providers by completely removing terrestrial ground station backhauls to the public Internet, presenting customers with private, space-based, carrier Ethernet solutions where security and resiliency are baked into the network architecture.
For decades, Cisco Systems has been a driving force in networking, powering the Internet and enabling businesses worldwide to connect and operate more effectively. Now, by providing their advanced networking technology to Rivada Space Networks and their innovative Outernet, Cisco is helping to enable a new era of global connectivity.
Utilizing Cisco's technology, Rivada is ready to converge the Outernet with traditional terrestrial networks, challenging the way satellite transport has been utilized in the past.
Watch the new episode of our Watch This Space series in which Tom Kunath, Solutions Architect at Cisco talks to Brian Carney about the collaboration with Rivada and why the Outernet is the key for enterprise networking and business growth.