Rivada Space Networks has strengthened its EMEA team with the appointment of Mustafa Afifi as Sales Director for the Middle East region. In his new role, Afifi will focus on key sectors, including telecommunications, regional satellite operators, and satellite resellers/integrators, offering Rivada’s highly secure, high-bandwidth, global connectivity network to enterprise and government clients.
Rivada’s Outernet, a next-generation low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellite constellation, promises to revolutionize connectivity by providing gigabit-speed service globally without relying on public internet or third-party infrastructure. The system uses inter-satellite laser links, advanced onboard processing, and unique routing capabilities to deliver an ultra-secure network with coverage from pole to pole, offering much lower latency than terrestrial fiber connections over similar long distances.
The Outernet is tailored for demanding enterprise and government applications, enabling secure, single-domain networks for multinational organizations, significantly enhancing bandwidth for sectors such as oil and gas, and providing 5G satellite backhaul for cellular operators. Connectivity providers in the Middle East can gain a competitive edge by expanding their offerings with Rivada’s secure, multi-gigabit, bi-directional connectivity, available worldwide.
Joe Apa, Rivada’s VP of Sales for EMEA, noted the growing demand for Rivada’s LEO network in the Middle East, with more than $16 billion in business globally and an increasing number of regional partnerships. He praised the Outernet’s ability to meet the region’s needs for security, latency, capacity, and coverage.
Rivada’s CEO, Declan Ganley, emphasized the importance of resilient infrastructure in the Middle East, especially amid rising geopolitical tensions that affect subsea cables. He stressed that the Outernet is crucial for enhancing the region’s telecommunications infrastructure, ensuring data sovereignty and security, and supporting national digital strategies.
Rivada will be showcasing its Outernet at CabSat 2025 from May 13-15, with a keynote by Joe Apa on “The Future of LEO Services” during the SatExpo conference session on May 14 at 11:00 am.
Rivada Space Networks is deploying a low-latency, point-to-point connectivity network using LEO satellites, providing resellers and B2B customers with secure, high-bandwidth connectivity. The Outernet, comprising 600 satellites, marks a major shift in secure, global connectivity for industries including telecom, enterprise, maritime, energy, and government services.
Visit Rivada’s website: www.rivadaspace.com
