Adtran and Iridium Enhance PNT Resilience Amid GNSS Threats

The OSA 5405-S PTP compact grandmaster clock from Adtran, along with its OSA 5400 STL module, is now available to timing network operators in Western Europe, major countries in Eastern Europe, Turkey, and parts of Asia-Pacific, including the majority of Southeast Asia, Japan, and South Korea. These products have been designed to enhance the resilience and reliability of critical infrastructure against vulnerabilities related to GNSS, such as 5G networks and defense systems.

Leveraging low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellites, these devices deliver precise and secure positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) services, ensuring continuous synchronization even in environments where GNSS signals are compromised. Adtran, as a certified Iridium partner, offers the technology through two distinct purchasing options: an annual service license for flexibility or bundled with equipment for long-term financial planning.

Michael O’Connor, executive vice president of PNT at Iridium, highlighted the increasing exploitation of GNSS weaknesses, stating, “As Europe, APAC, and the rest of the world have become more dependent on PNT data, attacks on GNSS have only escalated, creating an urgent need to pivot away from the exclusive use of these satellites.” By integrating STL service into Adtran Oscilloquartz devices, network operators are provided with valuable new options to ensure reliable timing data.

Iridium® STL services utilize LEO satellites to transmit encrypted signals that are 1,000 times stronger than GNSS signals, significantly reducing vulnerability to disruptions and manipulation. The OSA 5405-S PTP grandmaster clock supports STL time services and multi-constellation GNSS within a zero-trust architecture, enhancing resilience by leveraging multiple diverse timing sources. The OSA 5400 STL module extends these capabilities to third-party equipment requiring precise synchronization.

Gil Biran, GM of Oscilloquartz at Adtran, expressed excitement about the partnership with Iridium, stating, “We’re committed to making PNT networks as resilient and secure as possible. STL is a powerful solution for fortifying zero-trust architecture and ensuring reliable PNT even when GPS signals fail, making it ideal for both indoor and challenging outdoor locations.” This advancement marks a significant step for network operators and individuals in Europe and APAC.

Adtran offers STL services through two purchasing models to meet the evolving needs of modern network infrastructures. The ‘opex model’ provides an annual service license for adaptable budgeting, while the ‘capex model’ bundles STL services with equipment for 3, 5, or 10 years, facilitating cost amortization. These options make LEO satellite signals accessible to sectors where reliable and secure PNT is crucial, including 5G, data centers, smart grids, and defense.