China Unicom Deploys Gilat's Satellite-Based Cellular Backhaul Solution

PETAH TIKVA, Israel, Sept. 15, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Gilat Satellite Networks
Ltd. (Nasdaq:GILT) today announced that China Unicom is deploying Gilat's
SkyAbis cellular backhaul solution to enhance GSM mobile connectivity in China's
Xinjiang region.

The deployment of Gilat's SkyAbis cellular backhaul solution enables China
Unicom's expansion of GSM services to regions where it was not economically
feasible before. Remote areas of the Xinjiang region are now able to receive
high-quality mobile voice and data services similar to those offered in other
developed regions in China.

China Unicom initially deployed a Gilat VSAT network in 2005, to provide rural
communications applications nationwide.

Gilat's SkyAbis is a prepackaged solution for cellular backhaul, based on the
Gilat SkyEdge and SkyEdge II multi-service platforms. The solution enables
operators to deploy hybrid networks that extend the reach of their terrestrial
and cellular infrastructure to remote communities. SkyAbis features traffic
optimization and dynamic bandwidth allocation for GSM, CDMA 2000 and UMTS
backhaul, with much higher space-segment efficiencies when compared to SCPC.

Gilat's SkyEdge and SkyEdge II platforms can be deployed quickly in harsh
terrain and perform well in severe weather conditions -- important attributes
for many remote Chinese villages, where the mountainous terrain and cold weather
make it difficult to implement a communications infrastructure.

"By implementing the SkyAbis solution, we can quickly and easily provide
efficient, high-quality, broadband communications services to citizens of the
Xinjiang region," said China Unicom VP Mr. Shen WenCui. "When compared with
competing solutions, SkyAbis will enable us to conserve bandwidth. This will
help us provide the most economical service to our customers."

Rudy Colson, Gilat Regional VP, China, said, "The combination of our advanced
satellite communications technology with our SkyAbis optimized cellular backhaul
solution opens the door to new telecommunication niches and directions for
operators such as China Unicom, who can now extend the range of cellular
services to the country's remote locations."

Gilat's SkyEdge II is a multi-service platform enabling the delivery of
high-quality voice, broadband data and video services for diverse environments
including enterprises, rural networks, cellular backhaul and government network
applications. SkyEdge II is a standards-based system using DVB-S2 and DVB-RCS.
With better efficiencies and full adaptivity for both the inbound and outbound
channels, it provides higher performance that serves the growing requirements of
end-users. Gilat's diverse portfolio of SkyEdge II VSATs are all supported by a
unified platform, offering service providers the most suitable product for their
application needs as well as the flexibility to evolve their networks. The
newest addition to Gilat's SkyEdge II portfolio is NetEdge(TM), a dedicated
solution for multi star networks, specifically designed to meet the needs of
corporations and cellular backhaul applications.

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.

About China Unicom

China Unicom is one of China's largest telecommunications operators. For more
information, please visit www.chinaunicom.com.

About Gilat Satellite Networks Ltd.

Gilat Satellite Networks Ltd. (Nasdaq:GILT) is a leading provider of products
and services for satellite-based communications networks. The Company operates
under three business units: (i) Gilat Network Systems, a provider of network
systems and associated professional services to service providers and operators
worldwide; (ii) Spacenet Inc., a provider of managed services in North America
to the business and government segments; and (iii) Spacenet Rural
Communications, a provider of rural telephony and Internet access solutions to
remote areas primarily in Latin America.

Gilat was founded in 1987 and has shipped over 750,000 Very Small Aperture
Terminals (VSATs) to more than 85 countries across six continents. Gilat's
headquarters is located in Petah Tikva, Israel. The Company has 16 sales and
service offices worldwide. Gilat markets a full line of high-performance VSATs
under the SkyEdge(TM) and SkyEdge II Product Family.

The Gilat Satellite Networks Ltd. logo is available at
http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=5848

Certain statements made herein that are not historical are forward-looking
within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The
words "estimate," "project," "intend," "expect," "believe" and similar
expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These
forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties.
Many factors could cause the actual results, performance or achievements of
Gilat to be materially different from any future results, performance or
achievements that may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking
statements, including, among others, changes in general economic and business
conditions, inability to maintain market acceptance to Gilat's products,
inability to timely develop and introduce new technologies, products and
applications, rapid changes in the market for Gilat's products, loss of market
share and pressure on prices resulting from competition, introduction of
competing products by other companies, inability to manage growth and expansion,
loss of key OEM partners, inability to attract and retain qualified personnel,
inability to protect the Company's proprietary technology and risks associated
with Gilat's international operations and its location in Israel. For additional
information regarding these and other risks and uncertainties associated with
Gilat's business, reference is made to Gilat's reports filed from time to time
with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

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CONTACT: Gilat Satellite Networks Ltd.
Media Contact:
Kim Kelly
+972-3-925-2406
Kimk@gilat.com