Secure LEO maritime connectivity unveiled for vessels

MTN has launched its next maritime communications network to increase security when vessels connect to low Earth orbit (LEO) constellations, particularly SpaceX’s Starlink.

StarEdge Horizon is a layer-2 network working over the Elon Musk-owned LEO constellation to route data and longhaul traffic off the public internet.

The Florida, USA-headquartered company said this enables vessel owners to avoid the additional latency of communications that comes from using virtual private networks or other forms of tunnelling.

Layer 2 is a technology enabling two points to communicate as if they were on the same local network, simplifying data management, said MTN.

It cites the main benefits from using the StarEdge Horizon protocol as being able to redefine security; simplify wide area network (WAN) integration; ensure continuity of mission-critical communications; and enable private connectivity options to major cloud service providers, such as Amazon, Google and Microsoft, to reduce exposure to the open internet for cloud-bound traffic.

"StarEdge Horizon is a fundamental shift in how LEO is deployed for vessels," said MTN chief executive Emmanuel Cotrel. "We are moving beyond basic internet access to deliver a true layer-2 private network solution.  

“This is about providing corporate security, guaranteed high speed, with a simplified network and seamless integration for redundancy,” he said. “This ensures that mission-critical operations in every remote corner of the globe are always connected with fibre-level secure connectivity.”