Gilat Satellite Networks Ltd. (NASDAQ, TASE: GILT) has launched their next generation family of VSATs — Aquarius — supporting 5G networks and LEO/MEO constellations. These ultra-high-performance, multi-orbit VSATs provide more than 2 Gigabits per second of concurrent speeds and support seamless satellite handover.
As 5G networks are deployed and customer demands continue to exponentially grow, Gilat’s Aquarius VSATs are designed to serve, with maximum efficiency, data and media intensive applications such as cellular 5G backhauling, maritime and enterprise. The VSATs exhibit ultra-high processing capabilities achieving unprecedented high throughputs for both downloads and uploads including high packets-per-second processing to meet the high-performance demands.
The Aquarius VSAT capabilities, coupled with Gilat’s long-time experience and patented cellular backhaul technology, make it the solution of choice for enabling Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) to deliver their customers a true 5G experience over satellite.
In addition, the Aquarius family is designed to provide uninterrupted service, supporting next-generation software-defined satellites in GEO and NGSO constellations. Aquarius enables seamless operation, “make before break,” using open standard terminal interfaces, especially important in LEO constellations that require frequent satellite handovers.
The Aquarius follows multiple industry-first achievements that have been demonstrated in a series of tests over GEO and LEO satellites by Gilat. Already in 2019, in two different occasions, the company demonstrated record performance in the first-ever 5G connectivity over Telesat’s Phase-1 LEO:
“As the industry progresses to 5G networks and NGSO constellations it is critical for the ground segment to evolve to meet the needs of these high-demand applications,” said Alik Shimelmits, Chief Technology & Product Officer at Gilat. “Gilat’s next generation family of VSATs, Aquarius, are designed to meet needs of a wide range of bandwidth hungry applications and thus incorporate a wide-set of innovative technological achievements, including remarkable speeds and seamless support for multiple satellites.”
“Satellite communications is an integral enabler of the 5G connectivity vision, providing the scale and scope to enable ubiquitous connectivity, as essential to materialize the vision of redefining the global experience,” said Asaf Jivilik, Head of Marketing and Business Development at Gilat. “Gilat, as the recognized leader in cellular backhaul over satellite, is well positioned to become a major participant in the evolving 5G ecosystem, having proven multiple times that its technology is ready to support the 5G experience, that will directly influence the way people live and work.”