Solomon Islands - Jan, 2009 - Shiron Satellite Communications, a global satellite leader in technology solutions, announced that Solomon Telekon has chosen Shiron's InterSKY™ platform for deployment of a remote GSM solution over satellite.

Solomon Telekon, a leading communication operator in Solomon Islands, providing telephony services, mobile services & internet services, was seeking a cost effective solution for expanding their GSM network coverage and capacity, to all remote locations within the Solomon Islands territory.

In order to meet the requirements of Solomon Telekom and deliver a Telco grade solution, Shiron Satellite Communications integrated into its InterSKY™ platform an outdoor power amplification unit. This solution, in combination with Solomon Telekom's IP Pico BTS and other cellular components transform the solution into an outdoor macro BTS solution, specifically adapted to meet the condition of rural areas and remote locations.

This innovative approach to GSM network expansion through outdoor macro BTS was deployed in many locations across several islands, providing a cost effective GSM service with 10-15KM radius coverage, while maintaining InterSKY's bandwidth efficiency and service quality over satellite network.

Wilson Leguvaka-Solomon Telekom Engineering Manager said:

"The choice of Shirons InterSKY™ satellite platform to deliver GSM to the rural populace by Solomon Telekom was a decision in the right direction. Now rolling out of remote GSM base stations was made possible because of the Shirons InterSKY™ platform. The Shiron InterSKY™ system is very efficient, cost effective, robust, scalable and unique. The system is unique in the sense that it can also deliver QUAD (bundling-GSM, Voice, Data&Video) service applications which Solomon Telekom can benefit from it directly. The Shiron InterSKY™ system is a cutting edge technology system which can deliver the ultimate solutions, while the support service provided is 24/7 and second to none. The Telekom experience, it was a system worth while investing with value for money."

Once again, Shiron Satellite Communications demonstrated its unique advantages, with respect to design & deployment cycle, IP based InterSKY™ platform flexibility in integration new network elements, and the technical know-how to deliver the optimal solution to meet the customer needs.

"Such solutions enable Telecom operators to deploy base stations in remote locations, where it was previously considered uneconomic" said Motti Shulman, APAC-Managing Director at Shiron, "being able to quickly deploy cost-effective solutions that enhance network coverage, is key to ARPU (Average Revenue Per User) increase for Network operators, and allow them to provide quality service over satellite network in remote areas" he concluded.

About Solomon Telekom

Solomon Telekom Company Limited (Telekom), is a joint venture company between Solomon Island's National Provident Fund, (SINPF) and Cable & Wireless Plc of the United Kindom and and the Investment Corporation of the Solomon Islands (ICSI), providing telephony, mobile and internet services in the Solomon region.

About Shiron Satellite Communications

Shiron Satellite Communications, a technology leader in the satellite broadband communication market, was founded in 1996. The company’s unique broadband satellite system, InterSKY™, is based on the DVB-S2 open standard solution together with advanced patent-protected technologies. The company’s InterSKY™ system economically delivers reliable high-quality broadband satellite services and provides a large variety of satellite communication solutions. Shiron InterSKY™ system significantly reduces satellite and network resources.