San Francisco, CA – Enterprises seeking to extend their cloud infrastructure to remote locations now have a streamlined option, thanks to a new partnership between MTN and Amazon Web Services (AWS). MTN has launched its StarEdge Horizon service on the AWS Marketplace, offering what the company describes as a “click-to-deploy” satellite connectivity solution designed for secure and reliable cloud backhauling to virtually any point on the globe. This development addresses a critical need for organizations operating in areas with limited or unreliable terrestrial network infrastructure, particularly in sectors like energy, construction and logistics.
The core benefit of StarEdge Horizon lies in its ability to provide private Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite connectivity with rapid deployment – potentially within 24 hours – and simplified procurement. Traditionally, establishing connectivity to remote sites has been a complex and time-consuming process. MTN’s integration with the AWS Marketplace aims to eliminate many of those hurdles, allowing businesses to leverage their existing AWS accounts for simplified billing and management. This is particularly appealing for cloud-centric organizations looking to extend their network reach without significant IT overhead. The service bypasses the need for traditional Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) and tunneling, which can introduce latency and complexity, offering a more direct and efficient connection to AWS Virtual Private Clouds (VPCs).
Leveraging LEO Satellite Technology for Enhanced Connectivity
StarEdge Horizon utilizes a Layer 2 network architecture operating over LEO satellite constellations. This architecture is designed to route long-haul traffic on a private path, circumventing the public internet and enhancing both security and performance. According to MTN, this approach significantly improves predictability and reduces the risk of disruptions often associated with public network infrastructure. The increasing availability of LEO satellite constellations, such as those being expanded by Eutelsat and Airbus, as reported by Computer Weekly, is driving down costs and increasing the feasibility of this type of connectivity for a wider range of businesses.
The AWS Marketplace integration is a key component of MTN’s strategy. By making StarEdge Horizon available through the marketplace, MTN is tapping into a vast ecosystem of cloud users and simplifying the purchasing process. Users can now uncover, subscribe to, and deploy the service directly through the AWS Marketplace catalog, consolidating billing and streamlining IT operations. This ease of access is intended to accelerate adoption and enable organizations to quickly establish secure connections to remote sites.
How StarEdge Horizon Works: A Technical Overview
The service’s Layer 2 architecture is central to its functionality. Unlike traditional network setups, Layer 2 operates at the data link layer, providing a more direct and secure connection. This allows remote sites to connect to the corporate Wide Area Network (WAN) via MTN’s points of presence, enabling centralized internet access and consistent security policy enforcement. Static IP addressing and centralized management capabilities further enhance security and control, allowing for centralized monitoring, policy enforcement, and application allow-listing – crucial elements for enterprise-grade security.
Enterprises can integrate StarEdge Horizon with other AWS services, including Cloud WAN and Site Link, via a shared transit gateway attachment. This integration streamlines the deployment process and allows organizations to leverage the full suite of AWS cloud services. The combination of these technologies enables rapid global deployment, potentially within 24 hours, as MTN claims. This speed is a significant advantage for businesses that need to quickly establish connectivity in response to changing operational needs or emergency situations.
Benefits for Key Industries
MTN is initially rolling out StarEdge Horizon to enterprise customers in land-based sectors such as energy, construction, and logistics. These industries often operate in remote or challenging environments where reliable connectivity is essential for maintaining operations and ensuring safety. For example, in the energy sector, the service can support remote monitoring of oil and gas pipelines or wind farms. In construction, it can facilitate real-time data transfer from job sites, improving project management and efficiency. And in logistics, it can enable tracking of shipments and communication with drivers in remote areas.
“StarEdge Horizon’s availability on AWS Marketplace is a crucial step in transforming LEO connectivity into an easily procurable, enterprise-grade networking solution in just a few clicks,” stated Brian Govanlu, director of engineering at MTN, in a company statement. “Our Layer 2 architecture, combined with the streamlined purchasing and cloud integration of AWS Marketplace, gives customers the fastest, most secure and most cost-effective way to extend their cloud environment to any remote site in the world. It is the ideal solution for enterprises requiring reliable last-mile connectivity and secure cloud backhauling to any remote site in the world.”
Security and Performance Advantages
The private network architecture of StarEdge Horizon is a key differentiator. By routing traffic off the public internet, the service minimizes exposure to potential cyber threats and improves data security. This is particularly important for organizations handling sensitive data or operating in regulated industries. The predictable performance of the LEO satellite connection also offers advantages over traditional terrestrial networks, which can be subject to congestion and outages. The elimination of VPNs and tunneling further reduces latency and improves overall network efficiency.
The service’s centralized management capabilities provide IT teams with greater control and visibility over their remote networks. Static IP addressing simplifies network configuration and troubleshooting, while centralized policy enforcement ensures consistent security across all remote sites. This level of control is essential for maintaining compliance with industry regulations and protecting sensitive data.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Remote Connectivity
The launch of StarEdge Horizon on the AWS Marketplace represents a significant step forward in the evolution of remote connectivity solutions. As LEO satellite technology continues to mature and costs decline, One can expect to see even wider adoption of these services across a range of industries. The ability to quickly and easily deploy secure, reliable connectivity to remote locations will be critical for organizations looking to expand their operations, improve efficiency, and maintain a competitive edge. The integration with cloud platforms like AWS further simplifies the process and makes these technologies accessible to a broader audience.
MTN continues to roll out StarEdge Horizon to enterprise customers, with ongoing development focused on expanding the service’s capabilities and integrating it with additional AWS services. The company is also exploring partnerships with other cloud providers to further broaden its reach. The future of remote connectivity is likely to be shaped by the continued innovation in LEO satellite technology and the increasing demand for secure, reliable, and cost-effective solutions.
The next step for MTN involves expanding the availability of StarEdge Horizon to new regions and integrating it with additional AWS services. Further updates on the service’s development and expansion plans are expected in the coming months. Readers interested in learning more about StarEdge Horizon can visit the MTN website or explore the AWS Marketplace.
What are your thoughts on the potential of LEO satellite connectivity for remote operations? Share your comments below and let us know how this technology could impact your industry.
Related reading