Peplink and Starlink: Elevating Critical Communication to New Heights

Australia’s rugged landscape presents inherent challenges for critical communication. For our emergency and public safety agencies, this can be compounded by bandwidth limitations and network resilience. But as satellite connectivity becomes more accessible, and the technology to harness it evolves, these challenges are dissipating.

Today, many agencies are beginning their satellite connectivity journey and looking to move towards more flexible data-centric communication. New hardware and solutions from companies like M2M Connectivity, Peplink and their partners are leading the charge. Designed for the Australian environment, and with a focus on ease-of-integration, they are helping to write a new chapter for satellite-powered connectivity in Australia.

Minimising connectivity risks

The key driver in the transition to satellite connectivity is the need to minimise risk. Traditionally, communication systems used by agencies have been voice-centric networks, but as data becomes more essential, it is critical the data path is as resilient as possible.

To deliver the highest levels of resilience, agencies need to draw on the greatest number of connectivity technologies and networks available at any one time. This includes cellular, Wi-Fi and satellite — dynamically drawn on to meet the unique challenges of a particular environment or incident.

This shift towards a more dynamic, unified and data-centric approach presents agencies with the opportunity to obtain a resilient data connection with technologies such as Peplink SpeedFusion.

Facilitating Australia’s evolution

The arrival of Peplink’s SpeedFusion technology in Australia was a landmark moment for critical communication. Peplink was announced as the first technology provider to Starlink in January 2024.

When combined with Starlink, it was one of the first technologies to make unbreakable networks a reality. The technology has been widely adopted, with Peplink routers, switches and access points now providing the foundation for best-of-breed connectivity in Australia.

Peplink SpeedFusion allows multiple WAN connections to be combined to create an unbreakable high-speed network. It also allows Starlink to be bonded with multiple LTE/5G and ethernet solutions and provides dynamic switching to cellular connections when Starlink gets cut off.

SpeedFusion employs the concept of WAN bonding, which combines multiple WAN connections into a single, highly resilient virtual tunnel. This allows agencies to combine diverse connections, such as cellular networks, satellite links, and wired internet, to create an integrated and redundant network infrastructure. Continuous connectivity is achieved by drawing on the combined strength of networks and links available.

SpeedFusion’s unique Seamless Failover feature ensures that these transitions are smooth and imperceptible. As emergency responders move from one coverage area to another, or as individual WAN connections become unstable, the system dynamically optimises the data flow at a packet level, maintaining session persistence between the remaining available WANs to provide the best connection. The system also allows agencies to prioritise different types of data traffic, including time-sensitive information over the stabilised pipe without dropping the session.

Major Peplink SpeedFusion deployments include Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue (UK) and Don Mueang Airport in Thailand. In Australia, it has been used to deliver critical communication by Heathgate Resources at mine sites in South Australia. M2M Connectivity worked with MIMP Connecting Solutions to deliver this landmark solution. When Peplink was paired with Starlink Satellite, the solution was able to deliver speeds of up to 1.3 Gbps in download and 250 Mbps in upload. With the bonded network, Heathgate Resources was able to supply more than 250 workers with sufficient bandwidth and internet speeds to enjoy during their free time. Live-to-air broadcast company Level Horizons also used Peplink to deliver uninterrupted live drone footage for the Cricket World Cup.

Hardware designed for Down Under

Peplink SpeedFusion has paved the way for a new generation of hardware and solutions for critical communication. The Transit Pro E router is the latest innovation from Peplink to leverage this technology. It has been designed for emergency service agencies operating in remote and rugged environments.

The 5G router was recently certified by Telstra and features a ruggedised design which is vibration resilient and tolerant to high temperatures. Josh Velling, Channel Director Peplink at M2M Connectivity, said: “The Transit Pro E has been designed specifically for the Australian environment and for emergency service agencies looking to integrate their communication systems with Starlink.

“Now public safety agencies have access to hardware which can withstand Australia’s unique conditions and deliver a huge pipe for critical communication and data across multiple vehicle and multiple gateways.”

The Transit Pro E features 1 WAN port and 3 LAN ports that deliver a SpeedFusion VPN throughput of 400 Mbps and a stateful firewall throughput of 1 Gbps.

“We believe this is a transformative technology and look forward to working with agencies in Australia to leverage its power to deliver always-on communication in remote areas,” adds Velling.

A vehicle to innovation

When combined with cutting-edge Peplink hardware, today’s shift towards satellite connectivity also opens new avenues — including Vehicle-as-a-Node (VaaN). VaaN is the concept of transforming a vehicle into a mobile network hub to provide robust at-incident voice, data and telemetry services.

M2M Connectivity partner AirBridge Networks has utilised Peplink hardware to create its ARNI™ range of products. Short for AirBridge Rapid Network Infrastructure, ARNI is the result of extensive collaboration with Peplink, emergency services and local government.

Doug Stephens, CEO of AirBridge, says: “The mobile communication centre has been designed to provide fast and reliable connectivity anywhere. At its heart is a Starlink and Peplink solution, delivering blistering download speeds of up to 500 Mbps, complemented by CB and UHF radios and a mobile booster to ensure communication is never compromised. ARNI is now one of Australia’s premier disaster ready satellite-enabled solutions.”

Bolstering capability to save lives

The evolution of satellite connectivity and the introduction of advanced technologies like Peplink SpeedFusion are revolutionising critical communication in Australia. As emergency and public safety agencies face the challenges of our diverse and demanding environment, these innovations are offering unprecedented levels of reliability and resilience.

With the integration of Peplink’s cutting-edge hardware, such as the Transit Pro E, and the seamless connectivity provided by Starlink, agencies are now equipped to ensure robust, uninterrupted communication anywhere. As these technologies advance, they promise to not only further transform the landscape of critical communication, but to improve at-incident safety and most critically save lives.

Partnering for success

M2M Connectivity, a Semtech company, is the major distributor of Peplink technology in Australia. They distribute SD-WAN devices with robust wireless capabilities, including the MBX, SDX, EPX as well as the Balance series — designed for organisations of any size. M2M Connectivity also specialise in the implementation of Starlink with Peplink solutions. To supercharge your connectivity, visit www.m2mconnectivity.com.au.