Inmarsat announced May 24 its collaboration with ViaSat Inc. to develop new solutions based on the integration of Inmarsat’s forthcoming Broadband Global Area Network (BGAN) Mobile Satellite Service and ViaSat’s AltaSec family of programmable HAIPIS (High Assurance IP Equipment Interoperability Specification)-compliant inline network encryption products.

As part of the collaboration, the two companies will explore ways to better comply with U.S. government requirements, with specific emphasis on the Department of Defense. In particular, the companies will examine the use of HAIPIS encryption devices, such as the National Security Agency-certified KG-250, to secure the BGAN network. The joint development team also will ensure that the planned multicast service for BGAN is optimized for supporting IP encryption and is specifically compatible with the HAIPIS, which is the standard used for securing U.S. government networks.