- O3b Networks and Gilat announce Gilat’s new line of satellite ground-segment equipment for O3b Networks' "fiber performance over satellite" network
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-- New O3b Networks solution to reduce costs for deploying 3G and WiMAX networks --Petah Tikva, Israel and Jersey, Channel Islands, September 22, 2008 – Gilat Satellite Networks Ltd., a leading provider of satellite networking products and services, and O3b Networks Ltd. today announced plans for a new line of satellite terminals designed specifically for O3b Networks Ltd.
O3b Networks, funded by Google Inc., Liberty Global, Inc. and HSBC Principal Investments, recently announced it will deploy the world’s first ultra-low-latency, Medium Earth Orbit (MEO), Ka-band, fiber-speed satellite network designed to improve Internet access for millions of consumers and businesses in emerging markets. Service activation and ground equipment is scheduled for late 2010.
Gilat’s planned new line of MEO VSAT terminals and gateway components will be developed based on its industry-leading SkyEdge platform. The MEO VSAT equipment will cover multiple aspects of O3b Networks’ ground segment and enable automatic tracking of the satellites and seamless handoff between satellites. Specific terminals are planned for high-growth markets, including 3G Cellular/WiMAX backhaul, IP trunking, and broadband connectivity for SMEs and ISP backhaul.
Operating with O3b Networks’ satellites, Gilat’s MEO VSAT 3G solution for wireless backhaul is positioned to enable mobile and WiMAX operators to deploy and upgrade their networks without the complexity of a microwave transmission system. With less than 65 milliseconds one-way latency, the O3b Networks system creates new opportunities in cellular backhaul and cellular system design. Gilat’s MEO VSAT terminals, with O3b Networks’ satellite constellation, will bring the high-speed backbone directly to towers anywhere in the coverage area, without regard to physical terrain or distance.
“There are more than two million cellular towers in the footprint of the O3b Networks system, many of which will be upgraded to 3G, 4G or WiMAX over the next five years and serve hundreds of millions of people,” said O3b Networks Founder and CEO Greg Wyler. “We are eager to incorporate the technology of Gilat, a recognized VSAT leader, into our satellite system to serve these rapidly growing markets.”
Wyler added, “Gilat's expertise and full system capability – combined with its strong presence in emerging markets, wide range of satellite technologies, network planning and systems integration capabilities – underscores the value of our collaboration.”
Gilat Chairman and CEO Amiram Levinberg said, “We are excited to be part of O3b Networks’ initiative, which we believe will create a major change in the way that satellite networks are perceived. By combining our innovative VSAT technology with O3b Networks’ new system, this new offering should enable operators to quickly expand their services, even to previously underserved areas – helping to improve the quality of life for millions of citizens worldwide.”
Gilat’s SkyEdge VSATs deliver 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.
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About O3b Networks Ltd.
With its system deployment scheduled for late 2010, O3b Networks will bridge the digital divide by building a global Internet backbone for telecoms and ISPs in emerging markets. The Company is committed to connecting the networks of developed countries with the “other three billion” people who have limited Internet access, hence the name O3b. With investment and operational support from some of the world’s largest communications and finance companies, O3b Networks is now building a distribution network to serve a population of several billion consumers and businesses in more than 150 countries. O3b Networks’ headquarters are in St. John, Jersey, Channel Islands. Ground systems and technical development are managed through its wholly owned subsidiary in Englewood, Colorado. For more information, please visit www.o3bnetworks.com
About Gilat Satellite Networks Ltd.
Gilat Satellite Networks Ltd. is a leading provider of products and services for satellite-based communications networks. The Company operates under three business units: (i) Gilat Network Systems ("GNS"), which is a provider of network systems and associated professional services to service providers and operators worldwide; (ii) Spacenet Inc., which provides managed services in North America for businesses and governments through its Connexstar service brand and for consumers through its StarBand service brand; (iii) Spacenet Rural Communications, which offers rural telephony and Internet access solutions to remote areas primarily in Latin America.
Gilat was founded in 1987 and has shipped over 750,000 Very Small Aperture Terminals (VSATs) to more than 85 countries across six continents. Gilat’s headquarters is located in Petah Tikva, Israel. The Company has 16 sales and service offices worldwide. Gilat markets the SkyEdge™ and SkyEdge II Product Family which includes the SkyEdge Pro, SkyEdge IP, SkyEdge Call, SkyEdge DVB-RCS and SkyEdge Gateway. In addition, the Company markets numerous other legacy products. For more information, please visit www.gilat.com.Certain statements made herein that are not historical are forward-looking within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The words “estimate”, “project”, “intend”, “expect”, “believe” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Many factors could cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Gilat to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements that may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, including, among others, changes in general economic and business conditions, inability to maintain market acceptance to Gilat’s products, inability to timely develop and introduce new technologies, products and applications, rapid changes in the market for Gilat’s products, loss of market share and pressure on prices resulting from competition, introduction of competing products by other companies, inability to manage growth and expansion, loss of key OEM partners, inability to attract and retain qualified personnel, inability to protect the Company’s proprietary technology and risks associated with Gilat’s international operations and its location in Israel. For additional information regarding these and other risks and uncertainties associated with Gilat’s business, reference is made to Gilat’s reports filed from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
O3b Networks Media Contact:
Stan Schneider, Schneider Communications
Tel: +1-954-435-3310
Email: stan@schneidercom.com
Gilat Media Contact:
Kim Kelly
Tel: +972-3-925-2406
Email: Kimk@gilat.com