Gilat Wins Bolivia Cellular Backhaul Deal

[Satellite Today 11-07-08] Gilat Satellite Networks has won a cellular backhaul deal in Bolivia with a major international wireless operator, the company said Nov. 6.
    The unnamed cellular operator will deploy a SkyAbis GSM cellular backhaul network in Bolivia. Bolivia has a population of around nine million people.
    The new network, based on Gilat’s SkyEdge II platform, enables the extension of network coverage to remote regions of the country where cellular connectivity was previously unavailable due to economic constraints.
    Following the successful deployment of the initial phase of the new network which provides cellular backhaul services to 50 base station sites in the country, the operator is currently expanding the network to cover an additional 50 sites. Gilat’s SkyAbis is a prepackaged solution for cellular backhaul, based on the SkyEdge multi-service platform. The solution enables operators to deploy hybrid networks that extend the reach of their terrestrial and cellular infrastructure to remote communities.
    Russell Ribeiro, Gilat Network Systems’ regional vice president, Latin America, said, “The successful deployment of the first phase of this network, led to the request to expand the network, and that clearly indicates the benefits of Gilat’s end-to-end cellular backhaul solution – enabling operators to provide cellular service to remote regions in a most competitive way.”