[12-21-07 – Satellite Today] Gilat Satellite Networks has signed a deal with Mexico’s Grupo Elektra to provide a substantial broadband satellite network across the region, the company announced Dec. 21. Gilat will supply a SkyEdge satellite hub station and 1,964 Very Small Aperture Terminals (VSATs) for use in several Latin American countries including Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, Peru, El Salvador, Panama and Argentina. Grupo Elektra is one of Latin America’s leading specialty retailers and financial service companies. Gilat has already been working with Grupo Elektra for more than a decade.
    The network, based on Gilat’s SkyEdge IP VSATs, will enable broadband communications for point-of-sale data management, fast credit card processing, software downloads, high-speed Internet access, corporate communications and terrestrial backup connectivity. SkyEdge is customized for efficient transaction communications, such as those required by credit card applications.
    Financial details were not released.