MetTel becomes first authorized Starlink partner to offer satellite SD-WAN services

Managed services provider MetTel announced on Wednesday that it partnered with Starlink to deliver its software-defined wide area networking — or SD-WAN — service through the company’s network of low-Earth orbit satellites.

The announcement makes MetTel the first Starlink partner and authorized reseller to offer space-based broadband services to both commercial and government customers. 

MetTel previously announced in December 2022 that it had deployed its VMware-based SD-WAN service over Starlink. Wednesday’s news that it had become an authorized reseller means it can now integrate Starlink’s network into its SD-WAN service. 

SD-WAN provides a centralized platform that allows users to have more direct and secure access to networks spread across different locations. MetTel said that delivering its SD-WAN services through Starlink’s satellites will enhance connectivity for users of the space-based broadband network. 

“The first to deploy SD-WAN over Starlink through its R&D unit, MetTel has now made Starlink generally available to enterprises looking for primary and secondary network access that is persistent, reliable and scalable, regardless of location or circumstances,” the company said in a press release. 

Chief Technology Officer Ed Fox told Nextgov/FCW that the partnership “affords us the ability to extend our customer’s WAN to places not previously possible or where service was unreliable and slow.”

“MetTel is in the business of providing all types of access to bundle with our Managed Network Services, and Starlink is the latest, most flexible and easiest to deploy access method in our access tool kit,” he said.