NEWS
Gilat wins US $ 28 million Peru broadband deal to upgrade Ica connectivity
Peru is pushing another US $ 28 million into the infrastructure behind its digital economy, with Gilat Satellite Networks contracted to overhaul broadband connectivity across the Ica region.
Gilat Perú has signed an agreement with Pronatel, Peru’ s national telecommunications programme, to upgrade the regional network, targeting completion of construction by mid-2027. A seven-year operational phase will follow. to close connectivity gaps beyond major urban centres.
For Gilat, the contract reinforces its position inside Peru’ s public telecommunications infrastructure. Its local subsidiary has deployed, modernised and operated large-scale networks across rural and geographically challenging parts of the country, giving it an established role in governmentbacked connectivity programmes. essential for communities and institutions seeking access to digital services.
The contract also highlights the continuing physical build-out required beneath Digital Transformation. Faster networks are becoming critical public infrastructure as governments move education, healthcare and security services online and demand for access spreads deeper into communities.
The project will deliver Internet speeds up to 20 times faster than existing services to 116 public institutions while adding free Wi- Fi access across 30 public squares. The infrastructure is intended to support digital services spanning education, healthcare and public safety.
Ica becomes the fifth Peruvian region to receive a broadband network upgrade since 2025, extending a national effort
Rafael Arias Velarde, Executive Director, Pronatel, said the upgrade would strengthen connectivity for public institutions and expand free Internet access for citizens, turning additional network capacity into improved services and opportunities.
Arieh Rohrstock, President, Gilat Perú, said reliable connectivity was
Argentina deploys first defence nanosatellite to test sovereign space technology
Argentina has deployed its first domestically developed defence nanosatellite into low Earth orbit, putting home-grown military space technology through its first operational test beyond Earth. The Nano Sat Technology Evaluator( ETNS), developed by the Institute of Scientific and Technical Research for Defense( CITEDEF) with the Argentine Army, reached orbit aboard SpaceX’ s Transporter-18 mission from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.
The launch gives Argentina a live orbital testbed for technologies spanning military communications, navigation, power, data processing and satellite control, while building domestic expertise in designing and operating space systems. programme covers the full satellite mission lifecycle, from design and integration to orbital monitoring and control.
ETNS will operate between 500 and 600 kilometres above Earth, circling the planet roughly every 90 minutes. Ground stations and antennas will establish links with the spacecraft, allowing teams to collect telemetry and evaluate its performance.
The platform integrates electronics, energy systems, communications, navigation, attitude control, mission software, data processing and space
structures. The Army participated through its General Directorate of Communications, Information Technology and Cyber Defense.
Argentina’ s Defense Ministry said results will shape future research and development, turning orbital testing into procedures and capabilities for new national defence technology programmes across Argentina’ s expanding military space programme. Establishing reliable communications with ETNS is now the immediate mission priority as data evaluation begins from dedicated ground stations.
Rather than an operational surveillance or communications satellite, ETNS is a technology demonstrator designed to move systems previously tested on Earth into the harsher conditions of space. The
www. intelligentcio. com
INTELLIGENT CIO LATAM
11