Fast satellite connectivity over the internet, or secure but slow? It’s the tradeoff that Defence has struggled with in recent years, but the problem has now been solved.
When Defence needs connectivity in remote areas, there’s usually been a frustrating choice to make. You could have fast satellite internet over the Starlink satellite network, but your data would travel over public networks alongside everyone else’s.
Or you could have secure communications through traditional military satellite systems, but they were comparatively slow, expensive and had a long lead time to set up.
That choice is no longer necessary, according to Ashley Grove, Satellite Development Manager at Vocus.
“Everyone we talk to is rethinking how they deploy comms to remote locations because of the performance you get with new low earth orbit satellite technology,” Grove explains. “But when secure communications are required, sending data over the public internet just isn’t acceptable.”
Grove says Vocus has solved this problem by creating what amounts to a private highway for Defence data. “We’ve removed the internet from that satellite connection entirely, so there’s no more public networks involved in that link,” he says.
The company has established direct private connections with Starlink in Sydney and Perth, creating a pathway that bypasses the internet completely. Defence traffic travels on a separate network from the remote location straight into secure military networks.
The practical benefits are significant, Grove argues. “Sites can be connected quickly rather than the months typically required for traditional satellite installations. The equipment is light, compact and uses minimal power, making it perfect for remote deployments using battery or generator backup.”
For rapid deployment scenarios, Grove believes this represents a game-changer. “Instead of deploying a squadron or company of signals specialists to establish communications infrastructure before operations can begin, commanders can have secure, high-speed connectivity available almost immediately.”
Grove says the system has been extensively tested across multiple scenarios. “We’ve tested voice communications, video feeds and data transmission. Even when we flood the network with traffic, thanks to the enhancement of QoS capability, critical communications maintain their quality and reliability.”
He explains that multiple remote sites can be managed through centralised systems. “From a Defence network administrator’s perspective, it means you can make your remote sites look and feel like the rest of your privately connected sites,” Grove says. “You’re dramatically reducing the complexity of securing dozens or hundreds of individual locations.”
Beyond purely operational benefits, Grove says the system offers flexibility for welfare communications. “Deployed personnel can have secure connectivity with loved ones at home, while operational security remains intact through separate, secure channels.”
Grove emphasises the redundancy options available. “As additional satellite networks become available – including the Telesat network Vocus has announced we will support in Australia – we can integrate them into the same secure framework, ensuring communications remain available even if one system experiences problems.”
For commanders, Grove argues, this technology eliminates the trade-offs that have made satellite communications a compromise solution.
He believes this represents a fundamental shift in how satellite communications can support Defence operations. “We’re delivering modern performance standards while meeting the security requirements that operational success demands.”
