Network Planned to Serve up to 48,000 Subscribers
    Representing a Potential Value of up to $120 Million Over 5
                               Years

PETAH TIKVA, Israel, May 6, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Gilat Satellite
Networks Ltd. (Nasdaq:GILT) announced today that it has been selected
by Optus Networks Pty Limited to provide a SkyEdge II Very Small
Aperture Terminal (VSAT) network, installation, operation and
maintenance for the Australian Government's National Broadband Network
Company's (NBN Co) Interim Satellite Service.

NBN Co has a commitment to offer connectivity to regional and rural
locations via satellite technology where geographic location impedes
the ability to provide either fiber or advanced wireless connectivity.
The Interim Satellite Service is a first stage solution, planned to
provide up to 6Mbps download and 1Mbps upload broadband services to
eligible Australian households, small business and indigenous
communities.

The agreement with Optus provides for an initial network of 11 SkyEdge
II hubs and 20,000 SkyEdge II VSATs expected to be deployed within up
to three years. The agreement stipulates a possible expansion of the
network to include hubs and up to 48,000 VSATs. Gilat's new Australian
subsidiary, Gilat Satellite Networks Australia Pty Ltd., will undertake
responsibility for end-to-end VSAT installation, as well as hub
maintenance and operation in three geographical locations, for a period
of five years. The agreement represents a potential value of up to $120
million, subject to final design and implementation of the fully
expanded network.

The hubs are planned to be commissioned and VSAT service to commence
operation in 2011. The satellite network will utilize Optus' existing
Ku capacity and IPSTAR's multi-spotbeam capacity available over
Australia.

Ms Vicki Brady, Managing Director, Optus Wholesale and Satellite said,
"We are pleased to be working with Gilat on this Optus led initiative
to provide critical infrastructure for NBN Co's Interim Satellite
Service. Gilat have a proven track-record within the Australian
marketplace in delivering the VSAT services platform and will work with
Optus to provide the installation, maintenance and hub operations of
the Interim Satellite Service."

Amiram Levinberg, CEO and Chairman of the Board, Gilat said, "The
Australian government has set a goal to provide next-generation network
coverage to all of Australia, and satellite is a natural fit for
complementing fiber and wireless technologies to achieve this. This
large scale VSAT network will utilize Optus' satellite capacity as well
as IPSTAR's multi spot beam satellite. We are proud to provide our
technology as well as our experience in rolling out and operating large
scale satellite networks."

About Optus Satellite:

Optus is an Australian leader in integrated telecommunications,
delivering cutting-edge communications, information technology and
entertainment services. Optus is the only telecommunication company in
Australia to own and operate satellite services with the largest
domestic satellite fleet supported by extensive ground infrastructure.
The Optus Satellite team celebrated 25 years of satellite leadership in
2010. In 2001 SingTel became the parent company of Optus, paving the
way to become a strong and strategic telecommunications player within
the Asia-Pacific region.

About NBN Co Limited:

NBN Co is an Australian government-owned business enterprise formed in
mid-2009 to design, build and operate the NBN. The NBN will enable
high-speed broadband to be delivered to all Australian households and
businesses through a combination of fibre to the premise, wireless and
satellite. NBN Co is operating a wholesale-only, open-access network,
and making its wholesale services available to retail service providers
on non-discriminatory terms. The total projected capital cost of the
9.5-year construction project is AUD$36 billion.

Further information about NBN Co is available at www.nbnco.com.au

About Gilat Satellite Networks Ltd.:

Gilat is a leading provider of products and professional services for
satellite-based broadband communication networks worldwide. Gilat was
founded in 1987 and has shipped over 750,000 VSATs (Very Small Aperture
Terminals) to more than 85 countries across six continents. Gilat's
headquarters are located in Petah Tikva, Israel, and the Company has 22
sales and service offices worldwide. Gilat develops and markets an
expansive range of broadband satellite solutions including
high-performance VSATs under the SkyEdge(TM) and SkyEdge II brands,
low-profile antennas for communications-on-the-move, under the RaySat
Antenna Systems and the StealthRay(TM) brands, and next generation
solid-state power amplifiers for mission-critical defense and broadcast
satellite communications systems under the Wavestream brand. Gilat's
wholly-owned subsidiary, Spacenet Inc., is a leading provider of
managed services in North America to the business and government
segments. Visit Gilat at www.gilat.com.

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.


CONTACT: Media Contact:
         Karen Mazor
         Gilat Satellite Networks
         (972) 54 228 8039
         karenm@gilat.com
         
         Simone Bergholcs
         Optus Corporate Affairs
         (61) 2 8082 7846