Optus To Use VSAT To Expand Broadband To Aussies Outback

VSAT NEWS

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Petah Tikva - Feb 19, 2004
Gilat Satellite Networks Ltd. announced today an agreement to supply Australia's second largest telecommunications company, SingTel Optus, with an additional 2,500 Skystar 360E Very Small Aperture Terminals (VSATs) and hub expansion equipment. The addition of VSATs to Optus' network reflects its plans to grow broadband services in Australia and New Zealand, particularly in rural and regional areas.

Optus operates two-way satellite services throughout Australia and New Zealand based predominantly on Gilat's 360 and 360E systems. The Skystar 360E, for example, is already being used by Optus to deliver distance learning services to small rural towns and isolated homesteads in New South Wales and across the Northern Territory.

Warren Hardy, Managing Director of Optus Wholesale & Satellite, said the large order of VSATs will help Optus bring down equipment costs which in turn will pass the savings onto its customers.

"This deal is a win/win situation for Optus and our customers. We have been investing heavily in VSAT technology in recent years due to the ever-increasing demand for Internet and data delivery for rural and remote Australia.

"VSATs are well suited in areas where there is no Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) coverage or terrestrial infrastructure. For example, our SatWeb service, which utilises Gilat's hardware, is proving to be very successful due to the small size and extensive capabilities of the terminals," Mr. Hardy said.

Oded Sheshinski, Gilat's Manager for Australia-Pacific, said, "This agreement with Optus demonstrates the increasingly strong relationship between our two companies. Gilat is excited to play an active role through its technology and equipment in assisting Optus expand its broadband services throughout the region."

SingTel Optus has more than 20 years experience as a satellite owner and operator combined with Australia's largest fleet of domestic satellites. The SingTel Group's fleet includes five satellites in orbit covering Australia, Tasmania, Norfolk Island, New Zealand, China and India, as well as limited coverage to Papua New Guinea, Cocos Island, Christmas Island, Lord Howe Island, Solomon Islands and East Timor.

Following the successful launch of the C1 satellite in June 2003, Optus plans to launch two new satellites for Australia/New Zealand over the next few years. This expansion of the Optus fleet underpins Optus' satellite business and secures its leadership position in the television broadcasting markets of Australia and New Zealand.

SPACE TRAVEL

Entrepreneurs Lift Off With ESA's Business Incubator

Paris - Feb 18, 2004
European entrepreneurs with innovative ideas now have help in getting their businesses started, thanks to a recent ESA initiative called the European Space Incubator. Its goal is to stimulate and promote new venturing as a means to transfer space technology or use space systems in non-space markets.

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