Israel’s Gilat first to provide LTE speeds over satellite networks using layer 2 for GTP acceleration

Gilat Satellite Networks Ltd., a worldwide leader in satellite networking technology, solutions and services, announced today being the first to deliver Layer 2 with General Packet Radio Service Tunneling Protocol (GTP) acceleration to provide true Long-Term Evolution networks (LTE) speeds as well as operational efficiency, for large-scale networks. Layer 2 functionality is now available for both cellular backhaul and corporate connectivity applications.

Gilat’s patent pending innovative GTP acceleration techniques provide true LTE performance of 150 Mbps to the handset, being on par with terrestrial performance. This technological breakthrough was chosen by tier-1 mobile network operators (MNOs) in the US, UK and Japan to extend network coverage and for public safety applications, thus propelling satellite backhaul from a niche play to the mainstream. With this solution, Gilat is driving satellite cellular backhauling from the developing world to the developed world, and from rural areas, to the metro-edge, and metro networks.

These heterogeneous networks comprising of terrestrial and satellite backhauling require simplified operational practices. Addressing this need, Gilat is the first to implement carrier grade Layer 2 with GTP acceleration, thus providing true LTE performance on large-scale networks.

“Gilat is leapfrogging the conventional Layer 2 implementation by adding the ability to accelerate inside the LTE GTP Tunnel as well as being IP transparent. This enables application of standard terrestrial operational practices to satellite networks,” said Hagay Katz, Head of the VSAT Line of Business at Gilat, “The unique feature set provided by Gilat includes Q-in-Q, Ethernet Virtual Connection based on the MEF standards, header compression to improve efficiency over the satellite link, and standard Layer 2 telemetries for performance management and fault management. This comprehensive package ensures smooth integration to network operator systems and is testament to Gilat’s continued technological leadership.”

Original published at: http://spacewatchme.com/2016/11/israels-gilat-first-provide-lte-speeds-satellite-networks-using-layer-2-gtp-acceleration/