Jerusalem: Israeli firm, Gilat Satellite Networks Ltd, has announced it has signed a multi-million Dollar contract with Indian Tobacco Company Ltd to supply VSATs for the company's expanding internet project, E-Choupal, now reaching over 2 million farmers in six States.

As per the agreement, Gilat will be supplying its Skystar 360E VSATs to the Indian company as it expands its operations to cover 11 more States. The Israeli firm has already supplied over 1,500 VSATs during the past 12 months, primarily for ITC's E-Choupal project.

Part of the implementation of the E-Choupal network is being carried out by Gilat's long-time customer and system integrator, HCL Comnet Ltd.

"The enthusiastic response from farmers has encouraged us to plan for the extension of the E-Choupal initiative to 11 other States across India over the next few years. "There are plans to channelise services related to micro-credit, insurance, health and education through the same E-Choupal infrastructure," a company release quoted ITC's International Business Division CEO, Siva Kumar, as saying.

Gilat's executive vice president of sales, Avihu Bergman, said, "India continues to fulfil its promise as one of the world's fastest-growing markets for VSAT technology. With the acceleration in the deployment of E-Choupal sites by ITC, we feel vindicated in our continued commitment to this project and the Indian market."