As satellite and cellular technologies progress, so do their benefits and use cases. Each has its strengths, and when paired together, a 5G solution like Cradlepoint and a low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite solution like Starlink can form a powerful tool enabling exceptional network flexibility, reliability, and performance.
In the Wireless WAN debate, some think of it as “Starlink vs. 5G.” But why ask that question when you can use both? Whether you choose LEO satellite as the primary link or backup link, pairing Starlink and Cradlepoint solutions together maximizes the potential for high-performance, incredibly reliable, and exceptionally secure WAN access.
It really isn’t rocket science. The Starlink device connects via Ethernet and IP passthrough to the Cradlepoint primary router and, voila! Multi-WAN functionality for excellent network flexibility. Using Cradlepoint SD-WAN allows organizations to intelligently steer traffic, on a per-application basis, across satellite, cellular, and wired links. It’s a new level of wireless-optimized SD-WAN.
It’s important to know and lean into your strengths. LEO satellite service through Starlink is available almost everywhere — so valuable for many use cases — with better download and upload speeds and lower latency than high Earth orbit (HEO) satellite. Cellular brings a better combination of bandwidth and latency, along with more capacity and ability to handle congestion. Plus, it’s inherently secure. Together, LEO satellite and cellular provide secure performance with reliability anywhere.
In most cases, satellite is best suited as a failover mechanism for cellular, wired, or both in fixed locations — with key exceptions in remote areas, where cellular or wired could provide emergency back-up services to Starlink. In vehicles, dual modems plus a satellite connection can provide resiliency between providers and networks, when vehicles are roaming between cities and rural areas.
Starlink provides a simple solution, but not the robust, wide-ranging network security features necessary today for preventing breaches. Connecting a satellite gateway to a Cradlepoint router allows the satellite connection to benefit from the security features on the router. It also offers the ability to secure access to private and public applications through a suite of zero trust security services.
When applications are highly mission-critical or hungry for more bandwidth, intelligent bonding might be the answer. Creating one virtual connection out of multiple cellular, satellite, or wired links can improve resiliency, provide better control over traffic, and in certain scenarios provide access to a fatter pipe when connecting vehicles, sites, or emergency kits.
When the ability to process payments is on the line, relying on just one type of WAN link isn’t sufficient. Leverage multiple connections that can be orchestrated easily with SD-WAN. Bonding connections and replicating payment data across multiple connections ensures maximum availability.
In remote areas where wired connectivity isn’t available, organizations can orchestrate traffic between cellular and satellite using failover or enable more granular control over traffic with SD-WAN and intelligent bonding.
Applications like video might require more bandwidth than what’s available with any single WAN connection. With Cradlepoint’s hybrid WAN routers and bonding feature, you can combine multiple links for access to a bigger pipe.
Organizations can’t afford for the most important applications in fleet vehicles such as police cars, fire trucks, and ambulances to stop connecting at any point in the day — but traveling in and out of diverse coverage areas at high speeds is plenty challenging. 5G links spread between two different carriers, with satellite as a third mobile connection option, provide the reliability and resiliency that IoT-heavy vehicles have come to require.
During emergencies, agencies need to pop up connectivity anywhere — and very quickly. They can keep critical communications running 24/7 by pairing an all-in-one router with switching, Wi-Fi, and WAN connectivity with a satellite solution — encased in a ruggedized kit.
