David Mugabe
9 November 2009
Kampala — GILAT, an Israeli communications firm, has launched a platform to support e-government initiatives like e-voting, health and education through satellite Internet broadband.
Gilat's entry into broadband provision presents a strange twist in an industry that has been excited by the arrival of the undersea fibre optic cables, which are viewed as cheaper.
Gilat officials, however, argued that despite the imminent 'flooding' of the market with fibre optic cables, satellite has its clear advantages.
Gilat Erez Antebi, the chief executive officer, explained that satellite networks can provide back-up to fibre optic cables, adding that installing satellite does not require infrastructure like fibre optic cables.
"Satellite can also be installed quickly and anywhere," he said at the launch in Kampala last week.
"All that is required is a dish and a modem. "The fibre is good for the massive information, while satellite is good for any location," Gilat explained.
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