Peru’s Programa Nacional de Telecomunicaciones (Pronatel), has awarded Gilat Satellite Networks, a leader in satellite networking technology, solutions and services, a $13 million contract for the delivery of internet services to hundreds of sites in Peru.
Gilat is to supply public free Wi-Fi services over a two-year period to the regions of Ayacucho, Apurímac, Huancavelica and Cusco, with a potential for significant extension and expansion to thousands of additional sites.
Theis initiative is linked with issues relating to Covid-19. Gilat says it is engaged in support of the Peruvian government to enable education over the internet, which it says is a particularly important mission during the ongoing pandemic.
The government is supplying thousands of tablets to students for the purpose of accessing educational material. Gilat is installing hotspots, which will include a local server with digital education material, in hundreds of city squares for the benefit of students.
Gilat is providing connectivity services, the wireless access solution and infrastructure for the Wi-Fi internet coverage. This service in the first four regions is also, according to Pronatel, part of its larger initiative to provide Regional Broadband Projects.
Pronatel’s aim is to promote access and use of essential public telecommunications services in ways that will contribute to the reduction of the digital divide.
“The agreement signed with Gilat Peru will enable more Peruvians to connect for free to high-speed internet through their own devices within the coverage areas of the main squares,” said Carlos Lezameta, Pronatel’s chief executive.
