Gilat Satellite Networks (Nasdaq: GILTF; TASE:GILTF)has announced a new deal with SingTel Optus, the second largest telecommunications company in Australia. Gilat will supply SingTel Optus with a SkyEdge hub and remote sites for the expansion of Optus's existing Gilat networks, which will be upgraded to SkyEdge as well. The value of the deal was not disclosed.
SkyEdge is Gilat's recently announced unified platform supporting a variety of applications and topologies including mesh, star and multi-star. According to Gilat, the introduction of the system represents a major step forward in VSAT (very small aperture terminal) technology. The agreement with Optus is the first SkyEdge contract to be announced following a successful beta phase. The deployment and upgrade of the network is expected to be completed in the fourth quarterf 2004.
Optus operates two-way satellite services throughout Australia and New Zealand based predominantly on Gilat's 360 and 360E systems, which will now be expanded to SkyEdge as well. The existing Gilat network is already being used by Optus to deliver distance-learning services to small rural towns and isolated homesteads in New South Wales and across the Northern Territory. The network will now be expanded to support additional distance learning applications, health, rural broadband for SOHO and SMEs as well as total solutions for corporations throughout Australia.
"We are pleased to continue our relationship with Gilat and are confident that this upgrade will enable us to improve the quality and range of services we supply to our customers," said Warren Hardy, Managing Director of Optus Wholesale & Satellite.
Gilat has a market cap of $178 million.
Published by Globes [online] - www.globes.co.il - on September 14, 2004