Spacenet adds Cicat to its business orbit

Spacenet Inc., a subsidiary of Gilat Satellite Networks Ltd., has acquired Cicat Networks Inc., a nationwide provider of broadband network solutions based in Chantilly, Va. Financial terms were not reported.

The acquisition represents a milestone in Spacenet’s strategy of expanding its business in the broadband managed network services market, the company said in an announcement April 18.

Cicat Networks uses a network deployment approach that is vendor neutral and thus optimized for the customer, the announcement said. Its methodology has a long and proven track record delivering value-added services for businesses with multisite locations.

During the past few years, Spacenet has expanded its market focus beyond traditional satellite connectivity to incorporate multiple broadband access options, including DSL, MPLS and wireless.

This expanded focus has increased the ability of the communications provider -- which is based in McLean, Va. -- to provide new services to customers and further leverage its core network management, call center and field services capabilities.

The company’s Spacenet Integrated Government Solutions division develops networks and communications solutions for government agencies such as the Defense and Homeland Security departments, the intelligence community and other agencies requiring highly secure, flexible solutions.

Last October, Spacenet was an $8 million award winner under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, which included local satellite providers Echostar XI Operating LLC  and Wildblue Communications Inc. Hughes Network Systems LLC, the only nationwide provider selected, took the lion’s share, $59 million, to offer satellite broadband service to rural residential and commercial subscribers.