Israel’s Gilat Expanding Its Presence In Central America

Israeli satellite communications and networks company Gilat Satellite Networks Ltd. is expanding its presence to Central America through its new contract with Hispasat.

This multi-million-dollar venture will provide commercial broadband services throughout Mexico using capacity on the Amazonas-5 High Throughput Satellite (HTS). Based in Israel, Gilat is a worldwide leader in satellite networking technology, solutions, and services.

Gilat’s SkyEdge II-c, multi-service platform utilizes high throughput satellite resources to deliver cost-efficient bandwidth while providing excellent user experience. Hispasat selected the platform to commercialize the full capacity of its Amazonas-5 Ka-band beams over Mexico, enabling Hispasat and its customers to offer services including broadband Internet, WiFi connectivity in semi-urban and rural locations, and mobility applications to government and private sector clients.

Gilat estimates that the project could potentially deploy tens of thousands of its very small aperture terminals (VSATs) over the next few years, as Internet Service Providers (ISPs) ramp up their service.

“We are honored to join forces and grow our business with our longstanding partner, Hispasat, to develop the Mexican broadband market, and see this deal in Mexico … as a significant step in delivering on our promise for regional recovery,” said Ron Levin, Vice President for Global Accounts at Gilat. “We are excited about this collaboration and opportunity, and [we] are pleased to deliver our SkyEdge II-c multi-service platform to bring quality, plentiful and affordable broadband to unserved and underserved regions throughout Mexico.”

“Gilat and Hispasat are cooperating in multiple projects around the globe, and we are now pleased to deploy Gilat’s SkyEdge II-c platform to maximize the benefits of our recently launched multi-beam Ka satellite, Amazonas-5,” said Ignacio Sanchis, Chief Commercial Officer at Hispasat. “Gilat’s multi-service cost effective platform is ideal for business development for Hispasat and its’ clients in Mexico, enabling quick service expansion to a variety of vertical markets.”

Hispasat is a world leader in the distribution and broadcasting of Spanish and Portuguese content. Its satellite fleet is used by important direct-to-home television (DTH) and high-definition television (HDTV) digital platforms. It also provides satellite broadband services and other added value solutions to governments, corporations and telecommunication operators in America, Europe, and North Africa.