A breakthrough in satellite technology could help utilities meet new infrastructure security requirements.
Vocus has unveiled a new ‘private highway’ over Starlink, which bypasses the internet entirely, enabling water utilities, power grid operators and other critical infrastructure providers to deploy to use satellite for sensitive control systems while upholding strict security requirements.
This is the first Layer 2 integration with the Starlink network in Australia, enabling enterprise and government customers to extend secure private networks to remote locations without their data travelling over the internet.
The first product available on this platform is Vocus’ IP WAN over Starlink Ethernet Access, a service that allows organisations to maintain the same security profile for satellite-connected sites as with their land-based network-connected locations.
By establishing private peering points with Starlink in Sydney and Perth, Vocus has created a private interconnect pathway for data travelling via Starlink’s satellites and ground stations, directing it immediately into Vocus’ network rather than the public internet.
Meeting enterprise needs
While Starlink has transformed satellite connectivity with its low earth orbit (LEO) performance, standard Starlink services aren’t designed to meet all enterprise requirements.
Vocus Head of Space and Wireless Operations, Ashley Neale, said that the Starlink network offers a new level of performance compared to traditional geostationary satellite services, but some organisations face limitations with the standard offering.
“Our customers are meticulous about protecting their customers’ personal data and critical infrastructure operators like water utilities and power grid operators often have strict security policies that prohibit their crucial control data from travelling over the public internet,” Mr Neale said.
“Additionally, many enterprise applications and cloud firewalls require fixed, static IP addresses rather than the dynamic addressing available with standard Starlink services.”
An upcoming Vocus Enterprise Internet service for Starlink will provide static IP addresses, improving compatibility with cloud firewalls and business applications.
Customers will be able to establish a single, controlled internet access point through a Vocus firewall, reducing deployment time, simplifying management, and lowering costs while maintaining security.
This approach is particularly valuable for remote locations including schools where internet access requires content filtering and centralised management.
Vocus focuses on network integration
Vocus’ Starlink solutions focus on seamless network integration for enterprise and government clients, making satellite-connected sites function similarly to fibre-connected locations.
“Our Layer 2 integration with Starlink enables organisations to apply the same security policies and private IP addressing to their remote sites as they do to their core locations, creating a uniform network experience,” Mr Neale said.
“There is no need for the service to be tunnelled over the internet to be part of a private VPN – the traffic is transmitted on a different network layer to the internet and inaccessible to internet users.”
The service also supports quality of service (QoS) profiles, supporting critical applications like voice, video and telemetry to perform even when the connection is under heavy network load.
Government agencies, critical infrastructure providers, and organisations managing sensitive systems in remote locations are already using Vocus Satellite – Starlink with IP WAN connectivity in early release.
“Whether it’s a mining operation in the Pilbara, a water treatment plant in regional Australia, or a temporary command post for emergency services, our solution delivers enterprise-grade connectivity without the limitations of normal retail satellite services,” Mr Neale said.
Vocus is also preparing to integrate additional LEO satellite networks as they become available.
“We recently announced Vocus’ commitment to providing services over the Telesat Lightspeed LEO network once operational, and Vocus is actively evaluating other LEO networks that could provide enhanced business continuity options and specialised features, for our customers,” Mr Neale said.
Vocus Starlink Ethernet Access also provides nbn customers a migration path off Layer 2 Business Satellite Service (BSS) as NBN Co prepares to discontinue it in December 2025.
Vocus Satellite – Starlink offers secure connectivity similar to NBN Business Satellite but with the advantage of using Starlink’s newer, high-performance satellite technology.
Customers interested in accessing Vocus Starlink Ethernet Access can talk to their Vocus account manager or request a quote at vocus.com.au/starlink.
