CMA partners Rivada for secure LEO satellite links

CMA Technology has partnered with Rivada Space Networks on secure connectivity services built around Rivada's low-earth orbit satellite network.

Under the agreement, CMA will offer access to Rivada's Outernet to government and commercial customers that need secure communications links. CMA is a reseller of communications and IT products with an established presence in US federal markets, including civilian agencies, defence and intelligence.

Rivada's network is designed as a constellation of 600 low-earth orbit satellites. The system uses inter-satellite laser links and keeps data in space from origin to destination, rather than routing it through terrestrial gateways.

That architecture is central to Rivada's pitch to customers handling sensitive traffic over long distances. The company argues that removing dependence on ground gateways increases separation from terrestrial infrastructure and can reduce latency on some international routes compared with fibre.

The partnership gives CMA another route into a market where demand for secure, resilient communications has grown as governments and large organisations move more data between dispersed sites. The companies are targeting users that need voice, video and data connections with global reach and stronger network separation.

Rivada has also said it has lined up more than USD $19 billion of business globally for the network. The figure points to investor and customer interest in satellite communications systems aimed at enterprise and government buyers rather than consumer broadband markets.

Federal focus

CMA has built its business around federal IT procurement, cybersecurity, analytics and communications. Its customer base includes parts of the US government that place a premium on secure infrastructure, and the Rivada arrangement is intended to expand those offerings.

The backdrop is growing strain on existing digital infrastructure as organisations seek to move larger volumes of data quickly and securely. In response, satellite operators are trying to distinguish themselves not only by coverage, but also by network design, security model and their ability to support traffic between fixed sites worldwide.

Rivada's proposition differs from conventional satellite systems that rely on gateways to connect space assets to terrestrial networks. It describes the Outernet as a unified global communications network with an orbital mesh structure, using onboard processing and routing between satellites.

For customers, the practical appeal lies in the possibility of a separate path for sensitive traffic. Government departments, defence users and intelligence organisations have long sought communications routes that can withstand outages, congestion or interference affecting terrestrial networks.

Josh Perry, VP of Technology at CMA, said: "Our goal is to ensure our customers have access to the latest innovation in secure space architecture as part of their security solutions."

He added: "Rivada is building a uniquely capable LEO constellation focused on zero trust networking and by establishing a highly secure global communications backbone in space, the Outernet not only strengthens digital infrastructure on a global scale, but it also provides an innovative platform for our customers to expand their capabilities to meet new security needs. By tapping into a truly independent global network, we can offer a new level of resilience, security and performance."

Space network

The deal also reflects a broader shift in the satellite industry towards business customers that want direct control over connectivity arrangements. Operators are increasingly framing space-based networks as part of critical infrastructure, especially where data sovereignty, system resilience and cyber risk are major concerns.

Declan Ganley, CEO of Rivada Space Networks, said: "We are delighted to be working with CMA Technology, Inc. to enhance their portfolio of services for federal security and commercial customers. Global geopolitical dynamics continue to highlight concerns about national security and civil and defense infrastructure particularly in the area of cybersecurity and resilient information systems. The space domain now plays a critical role in securing network infrastructure and addressing rising data sovereignty and security demands. Unlike traditional "gap-filler" LEO systems which bridge the last mile between the satellite and the nearest gateway, Rivada's game-changing Outernet is a fully independent and inter-connected private space network that re-defines connectivity in terms of security, latency, capacity, efficiency, and coverage. Our unique gateway-less architecture is fast becoming the system of choice for secure data communications."

While the network is still being positioned in the market, the partnership shows how satellite operators are relying on specialist resellers with government relationships to reach buyers in regulated and security-sensitive sectors. For CMA, the arrangement adds a space-based option to a portfolio aimed at customers that need communications links beyond conventional terrestrial infrastructure.

The offering will focus on secure infrastructure for organisations that need to connect widely distributed locations through a physically separate network in orbit.