Gilat Satellite Networks Ltd (GILT)

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Australia's Optus Selects Gilat for Broadband Satellite Network Expansion
Tuesday December 11, 7:52 am ET
- New SkyEdge Hubs and Thousands of VSATs to be Deployed by Optus for Broadband Services Throughout Australia -

PETAH TIKVA, Israel--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Gilat Satellite Networks Ltd. (Nasdaq:GILT - News) today announced that Optus, an Australian leader in integrated communications is expanding its network with two additional SkyEdge satellite hub stations and thousands of VSATs. SkyEdge VSAT technology will provide cost-effective connectivity to regions in Australia which otherwise would not be able to benefit from broadband Internet services.

The SkyEdge platform can serve tens of thousands of subscribers, providing high-speed IP connectivity with excellent space segment efficiency. Advanced features such as embedded Internet acceleration enables Optus to provide the user experience subscribers demand at a cost they can afford.

Optus deployed one of the first SkyEdge networks and has since expanded it several times. With this latest expansion, Optus will operate one of the world's largest Gilat satellite hub installations comprising more than 20,000 Gilat VSATs to serve a wide range of corporate, government and residential customers.

Paul Sheridan, Head of Optus Satellite said Optus is pleased to be working with Gilat to meet the challenges of building a scalable network infrastructure that supports the Australian Government's broadband scheme.

“Optus is an experienced Australian satellite operator with a successful track record in delivering broadband services to customers throughout rural, regional and remote Australia who rely on satellite for their communication services. Optus has been recognized again by the Australian Government through its approval to participate in the Australian Broadband Guarantee (ABG) program,” Mr. Sheridan said.

Optus’ expansion of its SkyEdge network will support the Australian government’s ABG program, which provides registered Internet Service Providers with incentive payments to supply higher-bandwidth services to regional, rural and remote areas. During the past few years, Gilat's SkyEdge systems have been deployed by Optus to operate earlier government telecom programs -- Broadband Connect and HiBIS. Through a variety of technologies, these previous programs enabled more than 200,000 homes and businesses overall to receive a subsidized high-quality broadband service as well as allowing an additional one million premises to gain access to broadband services.

“This latest expansion by Optus demonstrates Gilat’s commitment to providing high quality VSAT networks and meeting the requirements of leading telecom operators," said Erez Antebi, CEO of Gilat Network Systems. "We look forward to continuing our strong support of Optus and its important contribution to improving the quality of life for Australians by providing broadband service availability to citizens regardless of where they live.”

Gilat’s SkyEdge is a satellite communications system that delivers high-quality voice, broadband data and video services over a powerful unified system. SkyEdge represents Gilat’s extensive knowledge base and field-proven product offering, acquired through two decades of experience. SkyEdge’s flexible architecture and efficient space segment utilization make it an ideal platform for operators and service providers.

About Optus

Optus is an Australian leader in integrated communications. The Company provides a broad range of communications services including mobile, national and long distance services, local telephony, international telephony, business network services, Internet and satellite services and subscription television. Further information about the services Optus offers and customer eligibility is available at www.optus.com.au.
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