Gilat Satellite Networks has announced that it is providing a SkyEdge II broadband satellite communications network to its long-standing customer ASTEL, one of Kazakhstan's leading telecommunications operators.

The new network for ASTEL includes two SkyEdge II satellite hub stations and several hundred SkyEdge II Access VSATs, in addition to the recently announced Gilat NetEdge Gateways. The VSAT network will deliver a wide range of interactive data applications, including VoIP, video conferencing and virtual private networks.

NetEdge is a high-performance satellite communications solution, specifically designed to meet the requirements of multi-star private networks for corporations as well as for cellular backhaul applications. Single-hop connectivity is provided, network wide, between the NetEdge components.

This enhances the user experience and application performance for all intra-corporation, cellular backhaul and Internet traffic. It also implies significant space-segment savings compared to alternatives.

"Gilat's ability to continually introduce new solutions that meet our evolving needs is the foundation of our long-term business relationship," said ASTEL President Vladimir Breusov.

"Gilat's advanced SkyEdge II VSAT suite enables us to continue to provide the highest level of customer service while meeting the complex networking requirements of Kazakhstan's enterprises and government agencies. The flexibility of Gilat's solutions will enable us to quickly expand this new network to meet customer demand."

Arie Rozichner, Gilat's regional vice president, Eurasia, said, "We are pleased to have once again been chosen by ASTEL to deliver our high-performance VSAT networks, including the latest addition to the Gilat SkyEdge II portfolio, NetEdge. NetEdge creates new revenue opportunities by extending satellite-based services to small private networks and offers service providers such as ASTEL the best of both worlds - one-hop corporate network connectivity with shared bandwidth for excellent network efficiency. This results in a competitive, high-performance solution with a low total cost of ownership."

Gilat's broadband satellite communications networks have been serving the Kazakhstan market since 1998, helping to improve the quality of life for businesses and citizens in the country's most remote regions.

Gilat's VSAT networks provide dependable, high-speed data networking to government agencies, banks and energy companies at thousands of sites throughout Kazakhstan. The majority of telecom operators in Kazakhstan deploy Gilat satellite equipment.