[Satellite TODAY 02-23-10] The Brazilian Amazonian Protection System (SIPAM) has contracted Gilat to provide its SkyEdge 2 VSAT broadband satellite communications network to more than 1,000 SIPAM sites in the region, Gilat announced Feb. 23.
    SIPAM will use the VSAT network to disseminate critical information to Amazonian states and cities and the dozens of institutions and isolated sites.
“We can increase the quality of information – including weather bulletins – that we provide to the press, civil defense, educational institutions and researchers nationwide. When completed, we expect the performance of our broadband communications network to meet or exceed that of commercial broadband services available to Brazil’s largest corporations," SIPAM Technical Director Cristiano da Cunha Duarte said in a statement.
    Financial details of the contract were not disclosed.