Rivada Tapped for Virtual Network Operator Contract with U.S. Navy

The United States Navy has put Rivada under contract to develop and deliver Virtual Network Operator capabilities over Rivada's Outernet constellation.
Rivada Tapped for Virtual Network Operator Contract with U.S. Navy
Image Credit: Rivada Networks

Next-Generation LEO Satellite Network is Key for Enabling Navy Innovation

  • Unique global data constellation using satellite-to-satellite laser links
  • Ultra-secure and extremely low latency network
  • Combining the speed of fiber with the reach of satellite
  • Gateway-less architecture ensures security by design

The United States Navy has put Rivada under contract to develop and deliver Virtual Network Operator capabilities over Rivada’s Outernet constellation.

 

The Rivada Outernet is a next-generation low-Earth orbit satellite constellation. When fully deployed it will provide gigabit speeds to any point on the globe, without needing to touch the public internet or any third-party infrastructure. Rivada has designed its Outernet to serve the most demanding enterprise and government customersโ€”those who need highly secure, high-bandwidth connectivity in even the most far-flung locations.

Consistent and highly secure, global connectivity for Navy vessels remains a challenge for both ship-to-shore and ship-to-ship communications. Under the first phase of its contract with the U.S. Navy, Rivada will engage in joint engineering cooperation with the Navy to delineate a Virtual Network architecture specifically designed to meet the Navy’s needs on the Rivada Outernet.

A global low-latency point-to-point connectivity network of 600 low earth orbit (LEO) satellites, Rivada’s Outernet is a unique next-generation architecture combining inter-satellite laser links with advanced onboard processing that provide unique routing and switching capabilities to create an optical mesh network in space. This approach to “orbital networking,” in which data stays in space from origin to destination, creates an ultra-secure satellite network with pole-to-pole coverage, offering end-to-end latencies much lower than terrestrial fiber over similar long distances. By routing traffic on a physically separated network, it provides a layer of defense for any organization that needs to securely share data between widely distributed sites.

Rivada’s Outernet is particularly well suited for the secure connectivity required by national governments and defense sectors. Leveraging the Outernet’s robust, resilient and secure space-based architecture, naval users can connect their assets on a global scale with low latency and without any third-party networks in the communication chain. Assets anywhere in the world can be connected back to home soil and between each other, platform-to-platform.

“The Rivada Outernet’s proliferated LEO architecture is resilient by design and built for exactly this type of use-case,” said Declan Ganley, CEO of Rivada Networks. “We are delighted that the U.S. Navy sees the value of what we are building and look forward to delivering an operational concept that meets its needs. Our Outernet is rapidly becoming the infrastructure of choice for secure data communications.”

Commander Nick Goddard, Director of Operations of U.S. Navy Cyber Command, said: “Rivada is building a uniquely capable LEO constellation focused on zero trust networking.” He added: “The combination of security, symmetrical uplink and downlink speeds and global coverage are unique, and we are excited to collaborate with Rivada on how the Navy can best take advantage of Rivada’s gateway-less architecture for innovation today and in the future. As the adversary evolves, we must continue to out-innovate, maneuver, and drive outcomes to support our global Navy Operational Ecosystem.”

About Rivada Space Networks

Rivada Space Networks GmbH is deploying the first true “Outernet”: a global, low-latency, point-to-point connectivity network of LEO satellites. By connecting its satellites with lasers, Rivada will provide resellers and B2B customers with the ability to securely connect any two points on the globe with low latency and high bandwidth. The constellations, comprising 600โ€ฏlow-earth-orbit communications satellites, will represent a fundamental change in the availability of secure, global, end-to-end enterprise-grade connectivity for Telecom, Enterprise, Maritime, Energy and Government Services markets. Rivada Space Networks is a wholly owned subsidiary of Rivada Networks, Inc.โ€ฏwww.rivadaspace.com

Follow Rivada Space Networks on:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/rivada-space/
Twitter: @rivadaspace

Media Contacts
Melanie Dickie, Chief Marketing & Communication Officer
Rivada Space Networks GmbH
Tel: +31 6 14 22 97 62
Email: mdickie@rivadaspace.com

Brian Carney, SVP Corporate Communications
Rivada Networks, Inc
Tel: +1 (207) 256-0386
Email: bcarney@rivada.com

SOURCE Rivada Space Networks: Read more at: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/rivada-tapped-for-virtual-network-operator-contract-with-us-navy-302321500.html


Recent Content

As Europe accelerates its digital transformation, industry leaders from Vodafone, Orange, Deutsche Telekom, and Telefรณnica will explore strategies to enhance 5G and fiber networks, AI-driven innovation, and regulatory coherence. With growing global competition, Europe must balance connectivity expansion, fair competition, and sustainability to remain a leader in the digital economy. Join MWC 2025 to discover how Europeโ€™s telecom vision is shaping the future.
As telecom innovation accelerates with 5G, AI, cloud computing, and 6G, regulators worldwide must balance progress with consumer protection, cybersecurity, and fair competition. At MWC 2025, industry leaders from the USA, India, and Europe will explore spectrum management, big tech regulation, net neutrality, and digital inclusion. This keynote provides critical insights into how telecom policies can foster innovation while ensuring security and fairness in a hyper-connected world.
In 2025, the mobile industry is set to surpass 1 billion IoT connections while advancing 5G standalone, AI, quantum security, and mobile identity services. At MWC25 Barcelona, GSMA experts will discuss eSIM standardization, network APIs, private 5G, and AI-powered security. Discover how non-terrestrial networks (NTN) and post-quantum cryptography will shape telecom’s future.
A new GSMA Intelligence report reveals that mobile technologies and 5G will contribute $11 trillion to global GDP by 2030, transforming key industries like manufacturing, financial services, automotive, and aviation. As Connected Industries at MWC25 showcases AI-driven automation, IoT advancements, and smart city infrastructures, experts highlight why collaboration between policymakers, network operators, and enterprises is crucial to unlocking the full potential of digital transformation.
Vodafone has completed the world’s first satellite-based video call using a standard 4G or 5G smartphoneโ€”no special hardware required. This milestone, achieved with AST SpaceMobile, demonstrates the power of direct-to-smartphone satellite connectivity. By 2026, Vodafone plans to roll out this service commercially across Europe, bridging mobile coverage gaps in rural and remote regions. Learn how this technology is set to redefine mobile broadband and global communication.

Download Magazine

With Subscription
Whitepaper
As VoLTE becomes the standard for voice communication, its rapid deployment exposes telecom networks to new security risks, especially in roaming scenarios. SecurityGenโ€™s research uncovers key vulnerabilities like unauthorized access to IMS, SIP protocol threats, and lack of encryption. Learn how to strengthen VoLTE security with proactive measures such as...
Whitepaper
Dive into the comprehensive analysis of GTPu within 5G networks in our whitepaper, offering insights into its operational mechanics, strategic importance, and adaptation to the evolving landscape of cellular technologies....

It seems we can't find what you're looking for.

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

Scroll to Top