Gilat Satellite Networks has announced it has provided Petroleo Brasileiro S.A. (Petrobras) a 500-site Gilat SkyEdge broadband network platform for enterprise and offshore maritime applications. Petrobras is a Brazilian-based international energy company, and is one of the fifteen largest oil companies in the world.

Petrobras is using the SkyEdge VSAT network for a variety of interactive web, video, SCADA, and telephony applications. The VSATs provide connectivity between Petrobras' Rio de Janeiro headquarters, its remote offices throughout Brazil, gas stations, pipelines, and among its offshore oil platforms, vessels and exploration sites.

SkyEdge is providing primary communication links in regions where broadband terrestrial connectivity is unreliable or unavailable as well as backup connectivity to other sites.

Russell Ribeiro, Gilat do Brasil general manager, said, "Our agreement with Petrobras demonstrates our proficiency to meet the complex, high performance standards and high quality communications requirements of one of the world's largest energy companies. Petrobras' requirements, which included mobile and stabilized systems as well as a satellite-based video surveillance solution, highlight our ability to respond to the full spectrum of customer needs."

Gilat's SkyEdge is a satellite communications system that delivers high-quality voice, broadband data and video services over a powerful unified system. SkyEdge represents Gilat's extensive knowledge base and field-proven product offering, acquired through two decades of experience. SkyEdge's flexible architecture and efficient space segment utilization make it an ideal platform for operators and service providers.