Photo by Gilat

Israeli satellite network technology company Gilat Satellite Networks received a $40 million contract from an unnamed customer for its virtualized, 5G-NTN-ready SkyEdge IV platform, the company announced Tuesday. Gilat expects to deliver the SkyEdge IV platform within two years.

“We are excited to support new software-defined satellites, delivering a virtualized next-generation ground segment architecture”, said Ron Levin, President Commercial Division at Gilat. “This puts Gilat on an accelerated R&D development path and rapid evolution toward a 5G-NTN standard platform and introduction of new services”.

Gilat designed SkyEdge IV with a 5G-NTN-ready cloud-native architecture to enable satellite operators and service providers to meet the evolving demands of modern connectivity and accelerate the delivery of multi-orbit next-generation services.. The platform utilizes the DIFI digital interface open standard. Gilat said it hopes SkyEdge IV will help usher in a multi-vendor open ecosystem for the satcom industry, and new revenue streams from new use cases.