Aspiring LEO satellite operator Rivada Space Networks said that it has signed a deal with telecoms operator and communications systems integrator Zharyq Kazakhstan to use its constellation to deliver broadband satellite services.
Rivada said Zharyq will use its “Outernet” network to provide resilient voice, video and data solutions to land-based, fixed, and maritime verticals, governmental and commercial customers.
Zharyq plans to offer the service across central South Asia, including Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Azerbaijan.
“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,” said Zharyq’s commercial director Korchagin Alexey. “By tapping into a truly independent global network, we can offer a new level of resilience, security and performance.”
Rivada has been pitching its Outernet as a more secure LEO satellite option for enterprise and government users, as its LEO satellites use optical lasers to interconnect with each other and carry onboard processing for routing and switching, similar to an optical mesh router architecture. That makes the Outernet physically separated from terrestrial networks, adding an extra layer of security.
Rivada CEO said this makes the Outernet particularly attractive at a time when global geopolitical dynamics are highlighting concerns over 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,” he said in a statement.
“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.”
As part of the deal, Zharyq will join Rivada’s Customer Advisory Board and conduct a series of technical workshops to structure the collaboration and exchange information on the Outernet’s capabilities.
Rivada said it has now lined up over US$20 billion of business globally for its LEO network. Earlier this month, Nepal’s Mercantile Space signed a deal to use the Outernet to address critical infrastructure limitations in the region and provide secure, sovereign data connectivity for enterprise and government networks.
That said, Rivada has yet to launch any satellites. It initially planned to launch its first test satellites in 2025. According to Via Satellite, that has been postponed to sometime this year, with plans to launch commercial service in 2027.
