[Satellite TODAY 01-22-10] Gilat Satellite Networks has been awarded a one-year contract extension from the Colombian Ministry of Communications to support certain rural communications projects in the country, the company announced Jan. 21.
   Under the deal, valued at about $12 million, Gilat will provide services for Rural Communitarian Telephony and Telecentros projects through December. Gilat’s previously announced agreement with the Colombian government expired at the end 2009.
    The current extension for continued service provides for a government subsidy of about $1 million per month, which is dependent upon meeting certain installation schedules, performance indicators and providing similar services to those provided over the past year.