Gilat Satellite Networks has been selected to provide a broadband satellite communications network to Federal State Unitary Enterprise Russian Post. Russian Post is one of Russia's largest companies, operating more than 40,000 post offices and providing many other telecom, shipping, retail and financial services for annual revenue of US$1.5 billion.
Gilat will deploy a SkyEdge VSAT hub station in the Siberian capital city of Novosibirsk. The network will provide broadband Internet access, always-on data communications for postal applications and telephony services to remote postal facilities throughout Siberia and far-eastern Russia. The initial order is for several hundred sites.
Denis Chuiko, First Deputy General Director, Russian Post, said, "Standard terrestrial networks cannot efficiently serve Russia's outlying areas. It's a well-known fact that satellite technology is the best way to bring reliable voice and broadband services to remote communities. Gilat's SkyEdge platform provides us the flexibility to add applications in the future, to meet the challenges posed to us by our government and our customers."
Chuiko added, "Gilat has proven that VSAT technology can be deployed quickly and can meet the challenge of Russia's dispersed population and rugged terrain. After our evaluation of many potential network providers, Gilat was chosen because of the technological superiority of its products and its reputation as the preeminent worldwide provider of rural satellite solutions."
Erez Antebi, Gilat Network Systems', Chief Executive Officer, said, "We are fortunate to be able to provide Russian Post with the solution it needs to bring dependable, secure communications to these remote regions. Gilat has a wealth of experience in deploying and operating rural communications sites and supporting its customers' development of postal applications."
Antebi concluded, "We view this agreement as more than just a significant contract award, but rather the beginning of what we expect will be a long-term cooperation with Russian Post to help it develop new services and applications that meet critical goals set to it by the Ministry of Telecommunications.
"We expect this network will enable the Post to offer services that were previously unavailable, thus increasing the Post's revenue and enabling strong business growth and improved quality of life in the covered areas."
