Space WAN: MetTel taps Starlink for space-based network

MetTel CTO Ed Fox joins the podcast to discuss why the service provider decided to partner with Starlink as a reseller and how MetTel can provide satellite connectivity as a managed service to customers.

Kelsey Ziser, Phil Harvey

November 13, 2024

At a Glance

  • Why MetTel is building a space-based network for enterprise customers (01:28)
  • Why MetTel chose to work with a LEO satellite provider (11:26)
  • Using Starlink service during natural disasters such as hurricanes (20:08)

MetTel now can offer space-based managed WAN services as an authorized Starlink reseller. The managed service provider is working with SpaceX's Starlink to deliver SD-WAN over satellite and provide additional network connectivity options for federal and commercial customers. 

Ed Fox, MetTel's CTO, joins the podcast to discuss why the service provider decided to partner with Starlink as a reseller and how MetTel can provide satellite connectivity as a managed service to customers. 

Fox explains why it was important to work with a low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellite provider, noting that it's partly because of latency and throughput considerations. He also shares examples of how MetTel has addressed challenges its customers have faced in installing and operating Starlink equipment. 

Click on the caption button for a lightly edited transcript. 

Here are a few topics we cover:

  • Why MetTel is building a space-based network for enterprise customers (01:28)

  • Background on MetTel's role as an authorized Starlink reseller (04:22)

  • How MetTel packages and sells the service with Starlink and how this differs from what other service providers are doing (05:46)

  • Why MetTel chose to work with a LEO satellite provider (11:26)

  • Urban connectivity and other use cases for satellite for enterprises (16:42)

  • Using Starlink service during natural disasters such as hurricanes (20:08)

  • How to ensure network reliability for satellite broadband (23:45)

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About the Authors

Kelsey Ziser

Senior Editor, Light Reading

Kelsey is a senior editor at Light Reading, co-host of the Light Reading podcast, and host of the "What's the story?" podcast.

Her interest in the telecom world started with a PR position at Connect2 Communications, which led to a communications role at the FREEDM Systems Center, a smart grid research lab at N.C. State University. There, she orchestrated their webinar program across college campuses and covered research projects such as the center's smart solid-state transformer.

Kelsey enjoys reading four (or 12) books at once, watching movies about space travel, crafting and (hoarding) houseplants.

Kelsey is based in Raleigh, N.C.

Phil Harvey

Editor-in-Chief, Light Reading

Phil Harvey has been a Light Reading writer and editor for more than 18 years combined. He began his second tour as the site's chief editor in April 2020.

His interest in speed and scale means he often covers optical networking and the foundational technologies powering the modern Internet.

Harvey covered networking, Internet infrastructure and dot-com mania in the late 90s for Silicon Valley magazines like UPSIDE and Red Herring before joining Light Reading (for the first time) in late 2000.

After moving to the Republic of Texas, Harvey spent eight years as a contributing tech writer for D CEO magazine, producing columns about tech advances in everything from supercomputing to cellphone recycling.

Harvey is an avid photographer and camera collector – if you accept that compulsive shopping and "collecting" are the same.

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