Gilat's VSATs Selected by Bharti and Tata's Nelco for India's Ministry of Finance National ATM Initiative

7 February, 2013

Gilat Satellite Networks Ltd. has been selected by Nelco Ltd., a division of the TATA Group, and Bharti Airtel Ltd., to provide secured satellite-based communications as the primary mode of connectivity for up to 30,000 ATM sites across India.

The contract is part of India's Ministry of Finance ATM initiative aimed at making financial services accessible to a greater audience across India, regardless of income, with the deployment of thousands of new ATM sites nationwide.

Under the agreement, Gilat will provide the VSATs to the selected service providers who will deploy the first 15,000 SkyEdge satellite broadband terminals in 2013, with expected growth of up to 30,000 sites by middle of 2014.

"With over 100,000 satellite terminals in operation across India today through various licensed service providers, Gilat is a veteran provider of satellite broadband communications in the country, and a leading provider of VSAT solutions for the local banking and finance industry," said Stephane Palomba, Regional VP of Asia, Gilat Satellite Networks. "Our SkyEdge solution has gained the local market's vote of confidence for offering uncontended reliability, security and cost efficiency - all of which are critical components of a robust banking infrastructure. We look forward to working with Bharti and Nelco on this high profile initiative.