Spacenet teams with Verizon Business to provide
custom satellite communications network for U.S. Postal Service®
Satellite technology brings high performance communications
to over 5,000 Post Offices nationwide
McLean, VA, October 1, 2007 - Spacenet Inc.,
a leading provider of advanced satellite networking services for
enterprise and government, announced today it is working with
Verizon Business to deploy a custom satellite network for the
U.S. Postal Service. The satellite network will provide high performance
broadband communications for over 5,000 Postal Service sites in
the continental United States, Hawaii, Alaska and Puerto Rico.
In addition, the satellite network will support on-demand back-up
communications for a number of larger USPS facilities, as well
as portable communications for the US Postal Inspection Service
fleet of more than 20 incident response vehicles.
For the USPS custom satellite network, Spacenet is providing
a fully managed satellite communications service based on the
Gilat SkyEdge™ VSAT platform and utilizing a combination
of individual SkyEdge satellite modems and the router integrated
Cisco VSAT Network Module. These technologies offer high performance
broadband service for converged communications including simultaneous
support for carrier class voice, two-way video, and broadband
data.
The USPS satellite network will support a wide range of applications
including an innovative video relay service (VRS) for deaf and
hard-of-hearing postal employees, multicast content delivery,
real-time video broadcasting, VoIP based digital telephone services,
as well as routine data transport and point-of-sale transactions.
Installation is already substantially under way with all sites
expected to be operational by later this fall.
In addition, the network will support the Postal Service demands
for continuity of operations by pre-positioning emergency portable
VSAT kits in strategically selected locations. These kits provide
for rapid deployment to Postal Service facilities should they
lose terrestrial voice and data service in the event of a natural
or manmade disaster.
Spacenet Chief Executive Officer Andreas Georghiou said, “With
this award, Spacenet has achieved two significant milestones.
First, the USPS network represents a large scale deployment of
satellite technology for a multitude of uses in the same network.
The network is providing communications for both fixed and transportable
locations, as well as supporting complete converged communications
of voice, video, and data. Second, this contract demonstrates
that a team composed of a leading satellite services provider
and a major telecom operator, such as Spacenet and Verizon Business,
can provide customers with the best of all worlds -- cost effective
communications with high availability and world class service.
We are delighted with this opportunity to work with Verizon Business
and proud to provide critical communications services to one of
the largest organizations in the US government.”
About Verizon Business
Verizon Business, a unit of Verizon Communications (NYSE: VZ),
is a leading provider of advanced communications and information
technology (IT) solutions to large business and government customers
worldwide. Combining unsurpassed global network reach with advanced
communications, security and other professional service capabilities,
Verizon Business delivers innovative and seamless business solutions
to customers around the world. For more information, visit www.verizonbusiness.com.
About Spacenet®
Founded in 1981, Spacenet Inc. is a leading provider of high-performance
satellite and hybrid terrestrial networking solutions for business,
government and home/small office customers in the United States
and worldwide. Spacenet has a longstanding tradition of industry
leadership and innovation, and today has deployed more than 100,000
network endpoints for customers including many Fortune 500 companies
and major government agencies. Spacenet's services include its
custom satellite/hybrid network solutions for enterprise and government;
Connexstar TM VSAT services for primary, backup and disaster recovery
networks; and StarBand® broadband Internet by satellite. Spacenet
is based in McLean, Virginia, and operates its own end-to-end
services infrastructure including network management, field services
and teleport facilities in McLean; Atlanta, Georgia; and Chicago,
Illinois. Spacenet is a wholly owned subsidiary of Gilat Satellite
Networks Ltd. (Nasdaq: GILT). Visit Spacenet at www.spacenet.com.
Spacenet Media Contact:
David Myers
Senior Vice President of Marketing and Corporate Development
(703) 848-1200
david.myers@spacenet.com |
