Gilat Satellite Networks boosted its prospects in Asia by signing a key deal with Australia’s second leading telco, Optus. Gilat will supply Optus with a SkyEdge hub and remote sites for the expansion of Optus’ existing Gilat networks, enhancing the carrier’s satellite-based distance learning, health, rural broadband and corporate solutions to communities in rural and remote Australia. According to Gilat, SkyEdge offers a triple-play platform — data, voice and video — over a single system.

The agreement with Optus is the first SkyEdge contract to be announced following Gilat’s successful beta testing. This deal is a huge boost for Gilat as it aims to derive significant revenue from its SkyEdge range of products. The deployment/upgrade should be completed during the fourth quarter.