Portugal Defence now has a tactical mobile satellite network
Defence & Space News Europe - Portugal Defence now has a tactical mobile satellite network created by MEO that combines 4G, 5G and satellite communications to ensure that the army will be able to maintain connections in the field when conventional networks are unavailable. Portugal´s new tactical mobile satellite network, called a "tactical bubble," can be installed quickly and ensures a coverage of more than ten kilometers in open terrain. The tactical bubble network was designed for emergency scenarios, disasters, power outages, or network unavailability. The combination of satellite connectivity and technological integration capabilities will allows Portugal´s Army and operations centers to remain connected even in highly demanding scenarios.
What is the Portugal Defence tactical mobile satellite network created by MEO?
The Portugal Defence tactical mobile satellite network created by MEO is the first tactical mobile network of its kind in Portugal. The satellite technology creates a private and autonomous network to provide voice, video, data, and geolocation services in real time. Portugal´s tactical satellite connectivity is ensured by Eutelsat OneWeb as a result of a new partnership with MEO to offer connectivity services that will allow the Portuguese Army to communicate during field operations and to be connected to command centers.
Portugal´s new tactical mobile satellite network, or "tactical bubble," integrates transportable modules and a backpack, allowing it to be mobilized in different operational contexts. The tactical bubble will allow the Portuguese Government to ensure crisis management when the telecommunications infrastructure is damaged or unavailable. MEO will offer Eutelsat's Low Earth Orbit (LEO) connectivity services in Portugal, through the OneWeb constellation that will make it possible to maintain communications in areas without network coverage or in crisis situations where the network is compromised, thus providing an extra layer for network resilience.
"We are the only company operating the only LEO constellation that is neither Chinese nor American" - Eutelsat CEO Jean-Francois Fallacher.
The Eutelsat OneWeb constellation currently has around 650 satellites in low Earth orbit, with a new order of 229 satellites from Airbus Defence and Space, bringing the total number of OneWeb satellites 669.
Eutelsat is part of the SpaceRise consortium, which is building IRIS 2, a constellation built with an investment of over 15 billion euros. In Portugal, MEO and Thales will provide gateway services from this constellation from Alfouvar and the Santa Maria teleport, with support from the Portuguese Government.
