Gilat unveils a small-cell-over-satellite platform for 3G and 4G/LTE coverage

3 November, 2016

Gilat’s CellEdge SDR is designed for the growing need of delivering broadband and voice services to remote and rural regions. The Israeli company joined Facebook’s TIP Project

Gilat’s CellEdge SDR
Gilat’s CellEdge SDR

According to a recent report by the United Nations, more than 60% of the world’s population (4.2 billion people) have no reliable internet accesses. One of the biggest challenges facing government as well as communication providers is to deploy communication infrastructure in remote areas lacking internet coverage.

Petah Tikwa, Israel based Gilat Satellite Networks, a developer of satellite communication technologies, launched the CellEdge SDR (Software Defined Radio) small-cell-over-satellite platform for delivery of 3G and 4G/LTE coverage to underserved or unserved areas. Gilat’s CellEdge SDR is designed for the growing need of delivering broadband and voice services to remote and rural regions.

Gilat’s small cell platform is tightly integrated with the satellite backhaul. This Software Defined Radio platform supports both 3G and 4G/LTE services simultaneously and enables migration from 3G to 4G/LTE, when required. CellEdge SDR is an outdoor small- cell-over-satellite platform, and is equipped with a solar power option.

Hagay Katz, Head of the VSAT Line of Business at Gilat said that “the CellEdge SDR is a carrier-grade, cost-effective solution designed for delivering the same level of user experience as terrestrial networks. With CellEdge SDR, mobile network operators can now extend coverage and provide profitable services anywhere”.

Gilat joins TIP

gilat_celledgesdrAt the same time, Gilat announced it has joined the Telecom Infra Project, (TIP), founded by Facebook, Deutsche Telekom, EE, Globe Telecom, Intel, Nokia, SK Telecom and others. TIP aims to redefine the current approach to network technology and bring connectivity to the unserved and underserved billions of people around the world.

TIP is an engineering-focused initiative driven by operators, infrastructure providers, system integrators, and other technology companies that aims to reimagine the traditional approach to building and deploying telecom network infrastructure. TIP will explore new approaches and technologies across three initial focus areas: access, backhaul, and core and management. The project groups within these areas will leverage the unique engineering and operational expertise of each member, focusing on developing new technologies and exploring new approaches to deployment in both developed and emerging markets.

“We are excited to join TIP and contribute to Facebook’s vision of connecting the unconnected and underserved populations.” said Aviv Ronai, Head of Marketing and Business Development at Gilat. “We believe this initiative and Gilat’s leadership in technology innovation and large-scale projects will help to expand broadband services quickly and affordably.”

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