Session 1.8c: Update - Leveraging Advances in Technologies to Empower Government Sovereign Communication Capabilities
Tracks
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| Tuesday, November 18, 2025 |
| 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM |
| Menzies Theatre |
Details
The ultimate in Size, Weight and Power – today’s advances making Satellite Communications more accessible, reliable and portable for governments. While there has been much discussion about alternate orbits and mass constellations some of the tenets of these inc. cost make the use of these solutions prohibitive when considering dedicated sovereign solutions for governments.
This paper will explore ways governments can own their own capability to cover specific needs and geographies without the historical high cost of acquiring their own assets and with the benefit of directing capability where it is needed whilst reducing capability where it is not needed.
The miniaturisation of electronics is what is allowing this shift in performance plus reduced cost with the base building blocks of the technology introducing other capability benefits. As a result, the paper will also explore some of these other capability benefits including portable gateways that make it harder for your adversary to target such important infrastructure and satcom terminals small enough to be hidden inside a pocket.
Speaker
Mr Todd McDonell
President, International Government
Viasat
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Biography
Todd McDonell joined Inmarsat in May 2013 as Vice President of Global Government Solutions. He took up the position of President, Global Government business unit for Inmarsat in late 2018, where he steered the business to a double digit YOY growth before the business was acquired by Viasat in June 2023. Todd is currently the President of the International Government business area, responsible for managing government business outside of the United States and encompassing both the legacy Inmarsat and Viasat operations in these geographies.
An early stint running operational support for the Australian Navy’s submarine communications systems provided an education in military communications and satellite communications systems. Following his naval career Todd & a number of other former Australian defence personnel created a company called TC Communications focused on the design, delivery, and support of satellite communications systems. Todd became CEO of the TC business in 2000 and grew the business into one of the preeminent Inmarsat partners. Inmarsat acquired the company in May 2013 and integrated it into the Inmarsat Global Government business unit.
Todd holds qualifications in communications engineering, business and computer science and also holds a commercial pilots licence.
