Mercantile Space Taps Rivada’s Orbital Mesh for Nepal Connectivity

Mercantile Space, a division of Mercantile Communications, plans to integrate Rivada’s "Outernet" to provide sovereign data connectivity for government and enterprise clients. Because traditional fiber infrastructure is difficult to deploy across Nepal’s mountainous landscape, this satellite-based backbone offers a resilient alternative. By utilizing inter-satellite laser links, the system creates a private network that avoids terrestrial gateways, significantly reducing the risk of interception and latency issues common in conventional satellite setups.

Amod Pratap Rana, director of telecom services at Mercantile Space, noted that the move is essential for bridging connectivity gaps and ensuring carrier-grade resilience. For Rivada, the deal represents a expansion of its strategy to provide high-bandwidth, secure communication channels that function independently of local infrastructure. CEO Declan Ganley emphasized that the system is designed for sectors where data sovereignty is paramount, such as defense and finance, positioning the constellation as a primary network rather than a mere secondary support system.