GLOBE Telecom, Inc. inked a new partnership with an Israel-based satellite networking firm for the provision of WiFi services in schools and hospitals across the country.

Gilat Satellite Networks Ltd., a publicly listed firm in the Nasdaq Stock Market and Tel Aviv Stock Exchange, disclosed earlier this week it has been tapped by Globe for a “three-year, multi-million US dollar contract” that would enable the Filipino firm to provide WiFi services through a satellite.

“The WiFi Broadband multi-million US dollar award comes two years after Globe chose Gilat to deliver cellular backhaul over satellite in a five-year multi-million US dollar managed service project for 2G/3G/4G (second/third/fourth generation) connectivity and for emergency response,” it said.

Globe confirmed the partnership in a text message to BusinessWorld.

“This important expansion comes on the heels of the managed service cellular backhaul project by Gilat and is due to our confidence in Gilat in providing excellent user experience and fast implementation,” Globe Chief Revenue Officer Alberto M. de Larrazabal was quoted in the Gilat statement as saying.

Gilat was also tapped by Globe in 2017 for the deployment of its cellular network through a satellite backhaul, which helped it bring mobile services to rural areas.

Gilat Regional Vice-President for Asia Pacific and North America Abhay Kumar said the new partnership further strengthens the ties between the two companies.

The Ayala-led telecommunications giant has set its capital expenditures this year at P63 billion, which will be used mainly for investments to support the growing demand for its data services.

In the first quarter, Globe posted an attributable net income of P6.7 billion, 44% up from the same period last year due to the robust growth of its data services. — Denise A. Valdez

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