Gilat will connect rural localities in Peru through a deal with Pronatel. Photo: Gilat Satellite Networks

Gilat Satellite Networks has received a $13 million contract from Pronatel to connect hundreds of public Wi-Fi sites across Peru. The two-year deal, announced June 3, comes with the potential for future expansion. Pronatel is Peru’s national telecommunications program. 

Gilat has agreed to connect hotspots in hundreds of city squares across the regions of Ayacucho, Apurímac, Huancavelica, and Cusco. This deal is part of a Peruvian government project to enable remote education, and the government is supplying students with tablets. The Gilat hotspots will include a local server with digital education material.

“Gilat is committed to delivering broadband connectivity to the students of Peru, addressing this critical need during the pandemic, when schools are closed,” said Arieh Rohrstock, general manager of Gilat Peru and Gilat’s corporate senior vice president. “This award is in-line with our strategy to grow services over the networks, where we see great potential for additional millions of dollars of recurring revenue.”

Gilat has worked on a number of connectivity projects in Latin America, and has a history of working with the Peruvian government. Earlier this year, Gilat announced a deal to deploy telecom systems for 29 airports in the country. Gilat’s previous contracts in Peru include a November 2019 award for $10 million to provide nationwide 3G/4G backhaul services and infrastructure for five years, and a $153.6 million project in 2018 with the government’s investment fund for for two wireless infrastructure projects in the nation’s Amazonas and Ica region.