[Satnews] Gilat Satellite Networks Ltd. (NASDAQ:GILT) (TASE:GILT) announces that China Railway Rolling Stock Corporation Ltd. (CRRC) has agreed on a long-term strategic partnership to jointly drive the development of satellite communications and managed services and to provide the best-in-class service in the global railway transportation sector.
The vision of the cooperation is to bring communication connectivity to every train powered by CRRC technology around the world. This agreement brings together CRRC's leading rail transit equipment technology and manufacturing capabilities with Gilat’s advanced SATCOM On-The-Move (SOTM) technology and the company's expertise in deploying and managing satellite networks globally in more than 90 countries.
The companies will develop a solution that will provide passengers on CRRC high-speed trains with on-the-move, satellite-based broadband Internet access. The solution will also enable CRRC to monitor and perform maintenance services via satellite on trains wherever they are in the world, in real time via a cloud-based network operations center (NOC). Today, satellite technology is the only way to bring such connectivity to high-speed trains on a worldwide basis in a seamless manner.
Executive Comments
“We chose Gilat for its technological edge in satcom on-the-move, its international expertise, and the recognition that it already has in China,” said Mr. Sun Yingcai, Vice President at CRRC. “Gilat demonstrated a thorough understanding of our needs and a proven ability to deliver satcom mobility networks on the global scale that we require.”
“Gilat's previously announced agreements in China already see us providing fixed and mobility satcom services, including airborne, maritime and land connectivity. Now, this new partnership with CRRC extends our relationship with a Chinese partner for a global reach. Gilat will enable high performance SATCOM on high-speed trains worldwide based on our cutting-edge technology and experience in managed services,” said Moshe (Chico) Tamir, VP of Gilat Satellite Networks’ Strategic Initiatives Division. “Gilat is perfectly placed to work together with CRRC on a project of this scale and ambition. We are delighted with this agreement and we look forward to partnering with CRRC."