Intelsat General Corp. (IGC) is now offering end-to-end communications networks using military-grade X-band capacity on the Skynet 5 satellite fleet owned and operated by Paradigm Secure Communications. The greater spacing of X-band satellites and the less congested bandwidth reduces the possibility of adjacent satellite interference.  Skynet 5’s 160W high power transponders enable high data rates to small terminals and the Skynet 5’s Active Receive Antenna enables high gain to be focused on areas of military activity, providing unrivaled data rates from small terminals. X-band communications are far less affected by rain fade than either Ku or Ka-bands, offering more resilient communications. Service is available through a shared subscription service on a site-by-site basis and IGC can also provide customized solutions.
 

Paradigm, a subsidiary of EADS Astrium, is the provider of all satellite services to the UK Ministry of Defence and Paradigm’s near global fleet of Skynet 5 satellites are already used extensively by DOD and USG customers. IGC’s X-Band Managed Networks are based on iDirect’s Evolution technology operating on IGC-owned hubs at Paradigm’s secure teleports at Oakhangar & Colerne. Redundant and diverseterrestrial connections provide links to the IntelsatOne fiber network and then routing to PoPs or a DISN switch in CONUS. The Intelsat Secure Operations Center (ISOC) provides 24/7 oversight of the Managed Networks.

Typical Applications

The Global Beam Networks are ideal for rapid deployment, fixed services, and maritime applications. The two Global Beam networks provide a footprint which starts in the eastern United States and covers all of South America, Europe (W/E), Africa, the Middle East, Asia and western Australia. A user can deploy a lightweight VSAT anywhere in the covered part of the world and be linked securely to his or her network or the DISN. The Zone Beam Networks are designed for land, sea, and airborne comms-on-the-move and man-pack antennas. These Managed Networks offer unrivalled high speed uplinks from very small terminals and provide coverage in some of the current ‘regions of interest.’ The shared service offering is available immediately, and dedicated/private network solutions can be quickly implemented.