20-F 1 zk1109735.htm 20-F zk1109735.htm
As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 12, 2011

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 20-F
 
o
REGISTRATION STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OR (g) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
or

x
ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010
 
or

o
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
For the transition period from __________ to __________
 
or

o
SHELL COMPANY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
Date of event requiring this shell company report .................

Commission file number: 0-21218
 
GILAT SATELLITE NETWORKS LTD.
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

ISRAEL
(Jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)

Gilat House, 21 Yegia Kapayim Street, Kiryat Arye, Petah Tikva, 49130 Israel
(Address of principal executive offices)

Joann R. Blasberg, +972-3- 9293020 (phone), +972-3-9252945 (fax)
Gilat House, 21 Yegia Kapayim Street, Kiryat Arye, Petah Tikva, 49130 Israel
(Name, Telephone, E-mail and/or Facsimile number and Address of Company Contact Person)
 
Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class
Ordinary Shares, NIS 0.20 nominal value
Name of each exchange on which registered
NASDAQ Global Select Market

Securities registered or to be registered pursuant of Section 12(g) of the Act: None

 
 
 

Securities for which there is a reporting obligation pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Act:  None

Indicate the number of outstanding shares of each of the issuer’s classes of capital or common stock at the close of the period covered by the annual report:

40,697,831 Ordinary Shares, NIS 0.20 nominal value per share.

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.
 
Yes o    No x

If this report is an annual or transition report, indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

Yes o    No x

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
 
Yes x   No o
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).*
 
Yes o    No x

*The registrant has not yet been phased into the interactive data requirements.

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of “accelerated filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
 
Large accelerated filer o
Accelerated filer x
Non-accelerated filer o

Indicate by check mark which basis of accounting the registrant has used to prepare the financial statements included in this filing:

U.S. GAAP x
 
International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board o
Other o

 
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If “Other” has been checked in response to the previous question, indicate by check mark which financial statement item the registrant has elected to follow.

Item 17 o   Item 18 o
 
If this is an annual report, indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

Yes o   No x
 
This report on Form 20-F is being incorporated by reference into our Registration Statement on Form F-3 (Registration No. 333-160683) and the Registration Statements on Form S-8 (Registration Nos. 333- 158476, 333-96630, 333-132649, 333-123410, 333-113932, 333-08826, 333-10092, 333-12466 and 333-12988).
 
 
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INTRODUCTION
 
We are a leading global provider of Internet Protocol, or IP, based digital satellite communication and networking products and services. We design, produce and market VSATs, or very small aperture terminals, and related VSAT network equipment. VSATs are earth-based terminals that transmit and receive broadband, Internet, voice, data and video via satellite. VSAT networks have significant advantages over wireline and wireless networks, as VSATs can provide highly reliable, cost-effective, end-to-end communications regardless of the number of sites or their geographic locations.

We have a large installed customer base and have shipped more than 750,000 VSAT units to customers in over 85 countries on six continents since 1989. We have 22 offices worldwide and two call centers to support our customers. Our products are primarily sold to communication service providers and operators that use VSATs to serve enterprise, government and residential users or to system integrators that use our technology. We also provide services directly to end-users in various market segments in the United States and certain countries in Latin America.

We currently operate three complementary businesses:

 
·
Gilat Worldwide, which is comprised of:

 
o
Gilat International (previously known as Gilat Network Systems, or GNS), a provider of VSAT-based networks and associated professional services, including turnkey and management services, to telecom operators worldwide. Since our acquisition of Raysat Antenna Systems, or RAS, Gilat International is also a provider of low-profile antennas, used for satellite-on-the-move communications, or Satcom-On-The-Move, antenna solutions.

 
o
Gilat Peru & Colombia (previously known as Spacenet Rural Communications, or SRC), a provider of telephony, Internet and data services primarily for rural communities in Peru and Colombia under projects that are subsidized by government entities;

 
·
Spacenet Inc., a provider of satellite network services to enterprises, government, small office/home office, or SOHOs, and residential customers in the United States;

 
·
Wavestream, a provider of high power solid state power amplifiers, or SSPA, Block Upconverters, or BUCs, with field-proven, high performance solutions designed for mobile and fixed satellite communication, or SATCOM, systems worldwide, primarily in the defense market.

In March 2010 and in April 2010 we entered into definitive agreements to acquire Raysat Antenna Systems LLC, or RAS, a provider of Satcom-On-The-Move low profile antenna solutions and RaySat Bulgaria, or RaySat BG, a Bulgarian research and development center.  During July and August 2010, we closed the acquisitions of both companies.  In addition, we acquired Wavestream on November 29, 2010.

Our ordinary shares are traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market and on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange under the symbol “GILT”.  As used in this annual report, the terms “we”, “us”, “Gilat” and “our” mean Gilat Satellite Networks Ltd. and its subsidiaries, unless otherwise indicated.

The name "Gilat®" and the names "Connexstar™," "SkyAbis™," "SkyEdge™," "Spacenet™," Wavestream® and "StarBand™" appearing in this annual report on Form 20-F are trademarks of our company and its subsidiaries. The name Raysat™ is a trademark used under license by our company. Other trademarks appearing in this annual report on Form 20-F are owned by their respective holders.
 
 
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Except for the historical information contained in this annual report, the statements contained in this annual report are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and within the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 as amended with respect to our business, financial condition and results of operations.  Actual results, our performance, levels of activity, or our achievements, or industry results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including all the risks discussed in Item 3: “Key Information–Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this annual report.
 
We urge you to consider that statements which use the terms “believe,” “do not believe,” “expect,” “plan,” “intend,” “estimate,” “anticipate” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements.  These statements reflect our current views with respect to future events and are based on assumptions and are subject to risks and uncertainties. Except as required by applicable law, including the securities laws of the United States, we do not intend to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
 
Our consolidated financial statements appearing in this annual report are prepared in U.S. dollars and in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, or U.S. GAAP.  All references in this annual report to “dollars” or “$” are to U.S. dollars and all references in this annual report to “NIS” are to New Israeli Shekels. The representative exchange rate between the NIS and the dollar as published by the Bank of Israel on April 11, 2011 was NIS 3.44 per $1.00.
 
Statements made in this Annual Report concerning the contents of any contract, agreement or other document are summaries of such contracts, agreements or documents and are not complete descriptions of all of their terms.  If we filed any of these documents as an exhibit to this Annual Report or to any registration statement or annual report that we previously filed, you may read the document itself for a complete description.

 
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
    Page
     
 
 7
     
7
7
7
A.
Selected Consolidated Financial Data
7
B.
Capitalization and Indebtedness
9
C.
Reasons for the Offer and Use of Proceeds
9
D.
Risk Factors
9
27
A.
History and Development of the Company.
27
B.
Business Overview.
27
C.
Organizational Structure
47
D.
Property, Plants and Equipment
47
48
48
A.
Operating Results
48
B.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
66
C.
Research and Development
68
D.
Trend Information
68
E.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
69
F.
Tabular Disclosure of Contractual Obligations
69
70
A.
Directors and Senior Management
70
B.
Compensation
73
C.
Board Practices
74
D.
Employees
81
E.
Share Ownership
82
84
A.
Major Shareholders
84
B.
Related Party Transactions.
86
C.
Interests of Experts and Counsel.
86
86
88
A.
Offer and Listing Details
88
B.
Plan of Distribution
89
C.
Markets
89
D.
Selling Shareholders
89
E.
Dilution
89
F.
Expense of the Issue
89
89
A.
Share Capital
89
B.
Memorandum and Articles of Association
89
C.
Material Contracts
96
D.
Exchange Controls
96
E.
Taxation
96
F.
Dividend and Paying Agents
105
G.
Statement by Experts
105
H.
Documents on Display
105
 
 
6
 
 
I.
Subsidiary Information
106
106
108
     
 
108
     
108
108
108
110
110
110
111
111
111
112
112
     
 
113
     
113
113
113
114
 

IDENTITY OF DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND ADVISORS
 
Not Applicable.
 
 
 
Not Applicable.
 
 
A.           Selected Consolidated Financial Data
 
The selected consolidated statement of operations data set forth below for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, and the selected consolidated balance sheet data as of December 31, 2010 and 2009 are derived from our audited consolidated financial statements that are included elsewhere in this Annual Report. These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles or U.S. GAAP. The selected consolidated statement of operations data set forth below for the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2006 and the selected consolidated balance sheet data as of December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006 are derived from our audited consolidated financial statements that are not included in this Annual Report.
 
 
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The selected consolidated financial data set forth below should be read in conjunction with and is qualified entirely by reference to Item 5: “Operating and Financial Review and Prospects” and the Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes thereto included in Item 18 in this Annual Report on Form   20-F.
 
Year ended December 31,
 
    2010     2009     2008     2007     2006  
    U.S. Dollars in thousands, except for share data  
                               
Statement of Operations Data:
                              
Revenues:
                              
Products
     120,255       91,407       150,351       156,798       126,093  
Services
     112,730       136,652       117,175       125,821       122,617  
Total
     232,985       228,059       267,526       282,619       248,710  
Cost of revenues:
                                        
Products
     61,975       56,672       80,424       82,822       66,363  
Services
     91,156       100,956       101,150       97,952       91,982  
Total
     153,131       157,628       181,574       180,774       158,345  
                                         
Gross profit
     79,854       70,431       85,952       101,845       90,365  
Operating expenses:
                                        
Research and development, net
     18,945       13,970       16,942       15,030       13,642  
Selling and marketing
     33,396       29,138       35,783       38,374       36,475  
General and administrative
     29,844       27,987       29,819       31,052       26,800  
Costs related to acquisition transactions      3,842       —       —       —       —  
Impairment of long lived assets and other charges
     —       —       5,020       12,218       —  
Operating income (loss)
     (6,173 )     (664 )     (1,612 )     5,171       13,448  
Financial income (expenses), net
     (557 )     1,050       1,300       5,998       (742 )
Expenses related to aborted merger transaction
                     (2,350 )             —  
Other income (expenses)
     37,360       2,396       2,983       (116 )     138  
Income (loss) before taxes on income
     30,630       2,782       321       11,053       12,844  
Taxes on income
     11       904       1,445       963       2,357  
                                         
Net income (loss)
     30,619       1,878       (1,124 )     10,090       10,487  
Net earnings (loss) per share
                                        
Basic
     0.76       0.05       (0.03 )     0.26       0.41  
Diluted
     0.73       0.04       (0.03 )     0.24       0.38  
Weighted average number of shares used in computing net earnings (loss) per share:
                                        
Basic
     40,467       40,159       39,901       39,141       25,799  
Diluted
     41,985       41,474       39,901       41,576       27,520  
 
 
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As of December 31,
 
   
2010
    
2009
    
2008
    
2007
    
2006
  
    U.S. dollars in thousands  
Balance Sheet Data:
                              
Working capital                                              
     78,808       164,280       152,806       151,367       120,634  
Total assets
     455,378       357,228       410,639       430,102       440,214  
Short-term bank credit and current maturities of long-term debt
     4,315       5,220       10,846       11,177       7,737  
Convertible subordinated notes
     14,379       15,220       16,315       16,315       16,333  
Long term loan
     40,000                                  
Other long-term liabilities                                              
     49,034       37,297       45,414       61,130       74,253  
Shareholders’ equity                                              
     264,113       232,295       230,224       227,810       212,059  
 
B.           Capitalization and Indebtedness
 
Not applicable.

C.           Reasons for the Offer and Use of Proceeds
 
Not applicable.

D.           Risk Factors

Investing in our ordinary shares involves a high degree of risk and uncertainty.  You should carefully consider the risks and uncertainties described below before investing in our ordinary shares.  If any of the following risks actually occurs, our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations could be materially harmed.  In that case, the value of our ordinary shares could decline substantially, and you could lose all or part of your investment.
 
Risks Relating to Our Business

We have incurred major losses in past years and may not sustain profitable operations in the future.

We reported a net income of approximately $ 30.6 million in 2010, compared to net income of approximately $ 1.9 million in 2009 and a net loss of approximately $ 1.1 million in 2008. Our 2010 net income derived mainly from the sale of our investment which had previously been written off in a company that was accounted for at cost and from the settlement of litigation related to the termination of a 2008 merger agreement with a consortium of private equity investors. We incurred major losses in past years, an operating loss of $6.2 million in the year ended December 31, 2010 and currently have an accumulated deficit of $604 million. We cannot assure you that we can operate profitably in the future. If we do not continue to operate profitably, the viability of our company will be in question and our share price would decline.

Our available cash balance may decrease in the future if we cannot generate cash from operations.
 
Our total cash balance decreased from approximately $163.2 million as of December 31, 2009 to $64.5 million as of December 31, 2010. This decrease is mainly attributable to funds used in our merger and acquisition activities during 2010 of approximately $154 million, net of cash received, offset by a $40 million loan we received in December 2010.  We had negative cash flow from operating activities in each of the two years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, and our positive cash flow from operating activities in 2010 was mainly derived from the proceeds of the sale of an investment and the settlement of a lawsuit.  We cannot assure that we will be able to generate cash from operations in the future. If we do not generate cash from operations, our cash balance will decline and the unavailability of cash could have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results and financial condition.
 
 
9
 
 
If commercial satellite communications markets fail to grow, our business could be materially harmed.
 
A number of the commercial markets for our products and services in the satellite communications area, including our broadband products, have emerged in recent years. Because these markets are relatively new, it is difficult to predict the rate at which these markets will grow, if at all. If the markets for commercial satellite communications products fail to grow our business could be materially harmed. Conversely, growth in these markets could result in satellite capacity limitations which in turn could materially harm our business and impair the value of our shares. Specifically, we derive virtually all of our revenues from sales of VSAT communications networks and VSAT-related equipment and provision of services related to these networks and products. A significant decline in this market or the replacement of VSAT technology by an alternative technology could materially harm our business and impair the value of our shares.
 
Because we compete for large-scale contracts in competitive bidding processes, losing a small number of bids could have a significant adverse impact on our operating results.

A significant portion of our revenues is derived from acting as the supplier of networks based on VSATs, under large scale contracts that we are awarded from time to time in competitive bidding processes. These large-scale contracts sometimes involve the installation of thousands of VSATs. The number of major bids for these large-scale contracts for VSAT-based networks in any given year is limited and the competition is intense. Losing or defaulting on a relatively small number of bids each year could have a significant adverse impact on our operating results.

We operate in a highly competitive network communications industry. We may be unsuccessful in competing effectively against competitors who have substantially greater financial resources.

We operate in a highly competitive industry of network communications, both in the sales of our products and our services. As a result of the rapid technological changes that characterize our industry, we face intense worldwide competition to capitalize on new opportunities, to introduce new products and to obtain proprietary and standard technologies that are perceived by the market as being superior to those of our competitors. Some of our competitors have greater financial resources, providing them with greater research and development and marketing capabilities. Our competitors may also be more experienced in obtaining regulatory approvals for their products and services and in marketing them. Our relative position in the network communications industry may place us at a disadvantage in responding to our competitors' pricing strategies, technological advances and other initiatives. Our principal competitors in the supply of VSAT networks are Hughes Network Systems, LLC, or HNS, ViaSat Inc. or Viasat, and iDirect Technologies, or iDirect. Most of our competitors have developed or adopted different technology standards for their VSAT products.

In addition, the launch of the SpaceWAY3 satellite by HNS, which enables HNS to offer a vertically integrated solution to its customers, as well as the announcement concerning ViaSat’s intention to launch its own satellite (ViaSat-1) and HNS’s intention to launch an additional satellite (Jupiter), may change the competitive environment in which we operate and could have an adverse effect on our business.

In the U.S. market, where we operate as a service provider via Spacenet, the enterprise wide area network, or WAN, market is extremely competitive, with a number of established VSAT and terrestrial providers competing for nearly all contracts. The U.S. enterprise VSAT market is primarily served by HNS and Spacenet. In addition, more recently, Spacenet's primary competitors in the enterprise WAN market are large terrestrial carriers such as AT&T, Verizon and Qwest.

 
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In Peru and Colombia, where we primarily operate public rural telecom services, we typically encounter competition on government subsidized bids from various service providers, system integrators and consortiums. Some of these competitors offer solutions based on VSAT technology and some on alternate technologies (typically cellular, wireless local loop or WiMAX). In addition, as competing technologies such as cellular telephones become available in areas where not previously available, such as in rural communities of Peru and Colombia, our business can be adversely affected.

Our lengthy sales cycles could harm our results of operations if forecasted sales are delayed or do not occur.

The length of time between the date of initial contact with a potential customer or sponsor and the execution of a contract with the potential customer or sponsor may be lengthy and vary significantly depending on the nature of the arrangement. During any given sales cycle, we may expend substantial funds and management resources and not obtain significant revenue, resulting in a negative impact on our operating results. In the past, we have seen longer sales cycles in all of the regions in which we do business. In addition, we have seen projects delayed or even canceled, which would also have an adverse impact on our sales cycles.

We may engage in acquisitions that could harm our business, results of operations and financial condition, and dilute our shareholders' equity.

We have a corporate business development team whose goal is to pursue new business opportunities. This team pursues growth opportunities through internal development and through the acquisition of complementary businesses, products and technologies. The process of integrating an acquired business may be prolonged due to unforeseen difficulties and may require a disproportionate amount of our resources and management attention. We cannot assure you that we will be able to successfully identify suitable acquisition candidates, complete acquisitions, integrate acquired businesses into our operations, or expand into new markets. Further, once integrated, acquisitions may not achieve comparable levels of revenues, profitability or productivity as our existing business or otherwise perform as expected. The occurrence of any of these events could harm our business, financial condition or results of operations.

In July and August 2010, we completed the acquisition of RAS, a leading provider of Satcom-On-The-Move antenna solutions and RaySat BG, a Bulgarian research and development center, for a total consideration of $25 million and $5.7 million respectively. In November 2010, we completed the acquisition of Wavestream, a provider of high power solid state amplifiers, or SSPA, Block Upconverters, or BUC, with field-proven, high performance solutions designed for mobile and fixed satellite communication, or SATCOM, systems worldwide in consideration for $135 million. We may not be able to successfully integrate the operations of RAS, RaySat BG or Wavestream into our business or successfully exploit the solutions that we acquired. Future acquisitions may require substantial capital resources, which may not be available to us or may require us to seek additional debt or equity financing.

The risks associated with acquisitions by us include the following, any of which could seriously harm our results of operations or the price of our shares:

 
·
issuance of equity securities that would dilute our current shareholders' percentages of ownership;

 
·
significant acquisition costs;
 
 
·
decrease of our cash balance;

 
·
the incurrence of debt and contingent liabilities;

 
·
difficulties in the assimilation and integration of operations, personnel, technologies, products and information systems of the acquired companies;
 
 
11
 
 
 
·
diversion of management's attention from other business concerns;

 
·
contractual disputes;

 
·
risks of entering geographic and business markets in which we have no or only limited prior experience;

 
·
potential loss of key employees of acquired organizations.
 
 
·
the possibility the business cultures will not be compatible;
 
 
·
the difficulty of incorporating acquired technology and rights into our products and services;
 
 
·
unanticipated expenses related to integration of the acquired companies;
 
 
·
difficulties in implementing and maintaining uniform standards, controls and policies;
 
 
·
the impairment of relationships with employees and customers as a result of any integration of new personnel;
 
 
·
potential inability to retain, integrate and motivate key management, marketing, technical sales and customer support personnel;
 
 
·
potential unknown liabilities associated with acquired businesses; and
 
 
·
impairment of goodwill and other assets acquired.
 
Our failure to manage growth effectively could impair our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Many of our large scale contracts are with governments or large enterprises in Latin America and other parts of the world, so that any instability in the exchange rates or in the political or economic situation or any unexpected unilateral termination or suspension of payments could have a significant adverse impact on our business.

In recent years, a significant portion of our revenues has been derived from large scale contracts with foreign governments and agencies, including those in Peru, India and Colombia. Agreements with the governments in these countries typically include unilateral early termination clauses and involve other risks such as the imposition of new government regulations and taxation that could pose additional financial burdens on us. In addition, the foreign exchange risks in these countries are often significant due to possible fluctuations in local currencies relative to the U.S. dollar. We do not have a policy of hedging specific contracts. In some cases we hedge the risks involved in our general operations in Israel and in our subsidiaries abroad. Any termination of business in any of the aforementioned countries or any instability in the exchange rates could have a significant adverse impact on our business.

In December 2010, the Ministry of Communications in Colombia amended and extended our agreements for the provision of services for an additional one-year term, through December 2011. In 2010 our revenues derived from these projects in Colombia generated 7% of our total revenues. In the event that we are not able to extend the current agreements beyond 2011, or if the terms under which the agreements are extended are not favorable, or if we are unable to generate new business in Colombia, we may not be able to operate our business in Colombia at a profit.
 
 
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If we are unable to develop, introduce and market new innovative products, applications and services on a cost effective and timely basis, our business could be adversely affected.

The network communications market, to which our products and services are targeted, is characterized by rapid technological changes, new product introductions and evolving industry standards. If we fail to stay abreast of significant technological changes, our existing products and technology could be rendered obsolete. Historically, we have enhanced the applications of our existing products to meet the technological changes and industry standards. Our success is dependent upon our ability to continue to develop new innovative products, applications and services and meet developing market needs.

To remain competitive in the network communications market, we must continue to be able to anticipate changes in technology, market demands and industry standards and to develop and introduce new products, applications and services, as well as enhancements to our existing products, applications and services. If we are unable to respond to technological advances on a cost-effective and timely basis, or if our new products or applications are not accepted by the market, our business, financial condition and operating results could be adversely affected.

Competitors in the low-profile antenna market are introducing new and improved products and our ability to remain competitive in this field will depend in part on our ability to advance our own technology.

New products and technologies for power amplifiers, such as Gallium Nitride, or GAN, may compete with our current Wavstream SSPA offerings, and may reduce the market prices and success of our products.

A decrease in the selling prices of our products and services could materially harm our business.

The average selling prices of wireless communications products historically decline over product life cycles. In particular, we expect the average selling prices of our products to decline as a result of competitive pricing pressures and customers who negotiate discounts based on large unit volumes. A decrease in the selling prices of our products and services could have a material adverse effect on our business.
 
Competition of Ka-Band satellite services

In some markets, such as in the United States and Europe, our competitors have launched Ka-band satellites and another has announced plans to launch a Ka-band satellite. These actions may affect our competitiveness due to the relative lower cost of Ka-band space segment per user as well as the increased integration of the VSAT technology in the satellite solution. Although our  technology is compatible with Ka-band satellites, our entrance into that market will be gradual and is not assured.  We also expect that competition in this industry will continue to increase.  Due to the nature of the Ka-band solution to date, where the VSAT technology is tied to the satellite technology itself, there may be circumstances where it is difficult for competitors to compete with the incumbent VSAT vendor using the particular Ka-band satellite. If this occurs, the market dynamics may change to one of the VSAT vendor partnering with the satellite service provider which may decrease the number of vendors who may be able to succeed. If we are unable to forge such a partnership our business could be adversely affected.

If we lose existing contracts and orders for our products are not renewed, our ability to generate revenues will be harmed.

A significant part of our business in 2010 was generated from recurring customers. As a result, the termination or non-renewal of our contracts could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and operating results.  Some of our existing contracts could be terminated due to any of the following reasons, among others:

·
dissatisfaction of our customers with our products and/or the services we provide or our inability to provide or install additional products or requested new applications on a timely basis;

·
customers' default on payments due;
 
·
our failure to comply with financial covenants in our contracts;
 
 
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·
the cancellation of the underlying project by the government-sponsoring body; or

·
the loss of existing contracts or a decrease in the number of renewals of orders or the number of new large orders.

If we are not able to gain new customers and retain our present customer base, our revenues will decline significantly. In addition, if Spacenet has a higher than anticipated subscriber churn rate, or if Gilat Peru & Colombia does not win new government related contracts, this could materially adversely affect our financial position.

Our new business focus on military and related defense markets is dependent on defense spending and may be adversely affected if the pace of spending by the U.S. Departments of Defense and Homeland Security and other government and security organizations internationally is slower than anticipated.

The market for our VSAT, satellite on the move antennas and SSPAs for defense, public safety and law enforcement is highly dependent on the spending cycle and spending scope of the U.S. Departments of Defense and Homeland Security, as well as of local, state and municipal governments and security organizations in international markets. The funding of programs for which our products are being marketed is subject to government budgeting decisions affected by numerous factors, including geo-political events and macro-economic conditions that are beyond our control. We cannot be sure that the spending cycle will materialize as we expect and that we will be positioned to benefit from the potential opportunities, especially in light of the current unfavorable economic and market conditions.

Our failure to obtain or maintain authorizations under the U.S. export control and trade sanctions laws and regulations could have a material adverse effect on our business.

The export of satellite communication equipment and technical information related to satellites, VSAT and VSAT-related equipment and services to certain countries are subject to U.S. State Department, Commerce Department and Treasury Department regulations, including International Traffic in Arms Regulations, or ITAR. If we do not maintain our existing authorizations or obtain necessary future authorizations under the export control laws and regulations of the United States, including by entering into technical assistance agreements to disclose technical data or provide services to foreign persons, we may be unable to export technical information or equipment to non-U.S. persons and companies, including to our own non-U.S. employees, as may be required to fulfill contracts we may enter into.  In addition,  to participate in classified U.S. government programs, we would have to obtain security clearances from the U.S. Department of Defense for one or more of our subsidiaries that would want to participate.  Such clearance may require that we enter into a proxy agreement with the U.S. government, which would limit our ability to control the operations of the subsidiary and which may impose on us substantial administrative burdens in order to comply.  Further, if we materially violate the terms of any proxy agreement, the subsidiary holding the security clearances may be suspended or debarred from performing any government contracts, whether classified or unclassified.  If we fail to maintain or obtain the necessary authorizations under the U.S. export control laws and regulations, we may not be able to realize our market focus and our business could be materially adversely affected. 

Wavestream is dependent on a single customer and on business with the defense market.

Wavestream is dependent on a single customer for a significant portion of its revenues and the deferral or loss of sales to such a customer could have a material adverse affect on our business and operating results. Our revenues from Wavestream are also dependent on business from the defense market, being derived directly or indirectly from sales to government agencies, mainly the U.S. Department of Defense, pursuant to contracts awarded to system integrators under defense-related programs. Government spending under such contracts may cease or may be reduced, which would cause a negative effect on our revenues, results of operations, cash flow and financial condition. Although we intend to move into additional markets, we may not be successful in our plans for Wavestream to penetrate into broadcast and international markets, which are new and untried for our SSPA product line and will require additional expenditures for research and development.  We may not be able to develop new technologies for those markets on a timely basis. Barriers to entry into those markets or delays in our development programs could have a material adverse affect on our business and operating results.

 
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A decline or reprioritization of funding in the U.S. defense budget, or delays in the budget process could adversely affect the business of Wavestream and its ability to grow or maintain its sales, earnings, and cash flow.
 
Wavestream is heavily dependent on sales to government defense agencies for its revenues, mainly the U.S. Department of Defense, pursuant to contracts awarded to system integrators under defense-related programs. We expect that Wavestream will continue to derive most of its sales from the U.S. Government.
 
Government purchasing is conditioned upon the continuing availability of Congressional appropriations. The programs in which Wavestream participates must compete with other programs and policy imperatives for consideration during the budget and appropriation process. Concerns about increased deficit spending, along with continued economic challenges, continue to place pressure on U.S. and international customer budgets. Efforts to reduce government spending may result in reduced demand for Wavestream's products, resulting in a reduction in its revenues and would adversely affect its business and  results of operations. If the demand for Wavestream's products diminishes significantly, we may be required to recognize an impairment loss.

We are dependent on contracts with governments around the world for a significant portion of our revenue. These contracts may expose us to additional business risks and compliance obligations.

Since 2009, we have focused on expanding our business to include contracts with or for various governments around the world, including US federal, state, and local government agencies. Our business generated from government contracts may be materially adversely affected if:
 
 
·
our reputation or relationship with government agencies is impaired;

 
·
we are suspended or otherwise prohibited from contracting with a domestic or foreign government or any significant law enforcement agency;

 
·
levels of government expenditures and authorizations for law enforcement and security related programs decrease or shift to programs in areas where we do not provide products and services;

 
·
we are prevented from entering into new government contracts or extending existing government contracts based on violations or suspected violations of laws or regulations, including those related to procurement;

 
·
we are not granted security clearances that are required to sell our products to domestic or foreign governments or such security clearances are deactivated;

 
·
there is a change in government procurement procedures; or
 
 
·
there is a change in political climate that adversely affects our existing or prospective relationships.

 We depend on our main facility in Israel and are susceptible to any event that could adversely affect its condition.

Most of our laboratory capacity, our principal offices and principal research and development facilities are primarily concentrated in a single location in Israel, with facilities for research and development and manufacturing of components for our low profile antennas at a single location in Bulgaria. Wavestream’s principal offices, research and development and engineering and manufacturing facilities are located at a single location in California. Fire, natural disaster or any other cause of material disruption in our operation in any of these locations could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and operating results.
 
 
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We would be adversely affected if we are unable to retain key employees.

Our success depends in part on key management, sales, marketing and development personnel and our continuing ability to attract and retain highly qualified personnel. There is competition for the services of such personnel. The loss of the services of key personnel, and the failure to attract highly qualified personnel in the future, may have a negative impact on our business. Moreover, our competitors may hire and gain access to the expertise of our former employees.

Trends and factors affecting the telecommunications industry are beyond our control and may result in reduced demand and pricing pressure on our products.

We operate in the telecommunication industry and are influenced by trends of that industry, which are beyond our control and may affect our operations. These trends include:

 
·
adverse changes in the public and private equity and debt markets and our ability, as well as the ability of our customers and suppliers, to obtain financing or to fund working capital and capital expenditures;

 
·
adverse changes in the credit ratings of our customers and suppliers;

 
·
adverse changes in the market conditions in our industry and the specific markets for our products;

 
·
access to, and the actual size and timing of, capital expenditures by our customers;

 
·
inventory practices, including the timing of product and service deployment, of our customers;
 
 
·
the amount of network capacity and the network capacity utilization rates of our customers, and the amount of sharing and/or acquisition of new and/or existing network capacity by our customers;

 
·
the overall trend toward industry consolidation and rationalization among our customers, competitors, and suppliers;

 
·
increased price reductions by our direct competitors and by competing technologies including, for example, the introduction of Ka-band satellite systems by our direct competitors which could significantly drive down market prices or limit the availability of satellite capacity for use with our VSAT systems;

 
·
conditions in the broader market for communications products, including data networking products and computerized information access equipment and services;

 
·
governmental regulation or intervention affecting communications or data networking;

 
·
monetary stability in the countries where we operate; and

 
·
the effects of war and acts of terrorism, such as disruptions in general global economic activity, changes in logistics and security arrangements, and reduced customer demand for our products and services.

These trends and factors may reduce the demand for our products and services or require us to increase our research and development expenses and may harm our financial results.
 
 
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Unfavorable global economic conditions could have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results and financial condition

Although economic conditions in many countries have stabilized somewhat following the widespread contraction in late 2008 and 2009 and into 2010, the revenues of many of our customers decreased substantially compared to recent years. As a result, our customers reduced their spending in late 2008 and 2009 and may continue to reduce or postpone their spending significantly. This resulted in reductions in sales of our products and services in some markets, longer sales cycles, slower adoption of new technologies and increased price competition. In addition, weakness in the end-user market could negatively affect the cash flow of our customers who could, in turn, delay paying their obligations to us or ask us for vendor financing. This could increase our credit risk exposure and cause delays in our recognition of revenues on future sales to these customers. Specific economic trends, such as declines in the demand for telecommunications products and services, the tightening of credit markets, or weakness in corporate spending, could have a direct impact on our business. Any of these events would likely harm our business, operating results and financial condition. If global economic and market conditions do not improve, or weaken further, it may have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results and financial condition.

Our international sales expose us to changes in foreign regulations and tariffs, tax exposures, political instability and other risks inherent to international business, any of which could adversely affect our operations.

We sell and distribute our products and provide our services internationally, particularly in the United States, Latin America, Asia, Africa and Europe. A component of our strategy is to continue to expand into new international markets. Our operations can be limited or disrupted by various factors known to affect international trade. These factors include the following:

 
·
imposition of governmental controls, regulations and taxation which might include a government's decision to raise import tariffs or license fees in countries in which we do business;

 
·
government regulations that may prevent us from choosing our business partners or restrict our activities. For example, a particular country may decide that high-speed data networks used to provide access to the Internet should be made available generally to Internet service providers and may require us to provide our wholesale service to any Internet service provider that request it, including entities that compete with us. If we become subject to any additional obligations such as these, we would be forced to comply with potentially costly requirements and limitations on our business activities, which could result in a substantial reduction in our revenue;

 
·
tax exposures in various jurisdictions relating to our activities throughout the world;

 
·
political and/or economic instability in countries in which we do or desire to do business. Such unexpected changes have had an adverse affect on the gross margin of some of our projects. We also face similar risks from potential or current political and economic instability as well as volatility of foreign currencies in countries such as Colombia, Brazil, Venezuela and certain countries in East Asia.
 
 
·
difficulties in staffing and managing foreign operations that might mandate employing staff in various countries to manage foreign operations. This change could have an adverse effect on the profitability of certain projects;

 
·
longer payment cycles and difficulties in collecting accounts receivable;

 
·
foreign exchange risks due to fluctuations in local currencies relative to the dollar; and
 
 
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·
relevant zoning ordinances that may restrict the installation of satellite antennas and might also reduce market demand for our service. Additionally, authorities may increase regulation regarding the potential radiation hazard posed by transmitting earth station satellite antennas' emissions of radio frequency energy that may negatively impact our business plan and revenues.

Any decline in commercial business in any country may have an adverse effect on our business as these trends often lead to a decline in technology purchases or upgrades by private companies. We expect that in difficult economic periods, countries in which we do business will find it more difficult to raise financing from investors for the further development of the telecommunications industry, and private companies will find it more difficult to finance the purchase or upgrade of our technology. Any such changes could adversely affect our business in these and other countries.

We may face difficulties in obtaining regulatory approvals for our telecommunication services and products, which could adversely affect our operations.

Our telecommunication services require licenses and approvals by the Federal Communications Commission, or FCC, in the United States, and by regulatory bodies in other countries. In the United States, the operation of satellite earth station facilities and VSAT systems such as ours are prohibited except under licenses issued by the FCC. We must also obtain approval of the regulatory authority in each country in which we propose to provide network services or operate VSATs. The approval process in Latin America and elsewhere can often take a substantial amount of time and require substantial resources.

In addition, any approvals that are granted may be subject to conditions that may restrict our activities or otherwise adversely affect our operations. Also, after obtaining the required approvals, the regulating agencies may, at any time, impose additional requirements on our operations. We cannot assure you that we will be able to comply with any new requirements or conditions imposed by such regulating agencies on a timely or economically efficient basis.

     Our products are also subject to certain homologation requirements – certification of compliance with local regulatory standards. Delays in receiving such certification could adversely affect our operations.
 
Our operating results may vary significantly from quarter to quarter and these quarterly variations in operating results, as well as other factors, may contribute to the volatility of the market price of our shares.

Our operating results have and may continue to vary significantly from quarter to quarter. The causes of fluctuations include, among other things:

 
·
the timing, size and composition of orders from customers;

 
·
the timing of introducing new products and product enhancements by us and the level of their market acceptance;

 
·
the mix of products and services we offer; and

 
·
the changes in the competitive environment in which we operate.

The quarterly variation of our operating results, may, in turn, create volatility in the market price for our shares. Other factors that may contribute to wide fluctuations in our market price, many of which are beyond our control, include, but are not limited to:

 
·
economic instability;
 
 
·
announcements of technological innovations;

 
·
customer orders or new products or contracts;
 
 
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·
competitors' positions in the market;

 
·
changes in financial estimates by securities analysts;

 
·
conditions and trends in the VSAT and other technology industries relevant to our businesses;

 
·
our earnings releases and the earnings releases of our competitors; and

 
·
the general state of the securities markets (with particular emphasis on the technology and Israeli sectors thereof).

In addition to the volatility of the market price of our shares, the stock market in general and the market for technology companies in particular have been highly volatile and at times thinly traded. Investors may not be able to resell their shares during and following periods of volatility.

Our actions to protect our proprietary VSAT technology may be insufficient to prevent others from developing products similar to our products.

Our business is based mainly on our proprietary VSAT technology and related products and services. We establish and protect proprietary rights and technology used in our products by the use of patents, trade secrets, copyrights and trademarks. We also utilize non-disclosure and intellectual property assignment agreements. Because of the rapid technological changes and innovation that characterize the network communications industry, our success will depend in large part on our ability to protect and defend our intellectual property rights. Our actions to protect our proprietary rights in our VSAT technology and related products may be insufficient to prevent others from developing products similar to our products. In addition, the laws of many foreign countries do not protect our intellectual property rights to the same extent as the laws of the United States. If we are unable to protect our intellectual property, our ability to operate our business and generate expected revenues may be harmed.

We may at times be subject to claims by third parties alleging that we are infringing on their intellectual property rights. We may be required to commence litigation to protect our intellectual property rights. Any intellectual property litigation may continue for an extended period and may materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and operating results.

There are numerous patents, both pending and issued, in the network communications industry. We may unknowingly infringe on a patent. We may from time to time be notified of claims that we are infringing on the patents, copyrights or other intellectual property rights owned by third parties. While we do not believe that we have infringed in the past or are infringing at present on any intellectual property rights of third parties, we cannot assure you that we will not be subject to such claims.

In addition, we may be required to commence litigation to protect our intellectual property rights and trade secrets, to determine the validity and scope of the proprietary rights of others or to defend against third-party claims of invalidity or infringement. An adverse result in any litigation could force us to pay substantial damages, stop designing or manufacturing, using and selling the infringing products, spend significant resources to develop non-infringing technology, discontinue using certain processes or obtain licenses to use the infringing technology. In addition, we may not be able to develop non-infringing technology, and we may not be able to find appropriate licenses on reasonably satisfactory terms. Any such litigation could result in substantial costs and diversion of resources and could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and operating results.

Potential product liability claims relating to our products could have a material adverse effect on our business.

We may be subject to product liability claims relating to the products we sell. Potential product liability claims could include those for exposure to electromagnetic radiation from the antennas we provide. Our agreements with our business customers generally contain provisions designed to limit our exposure to potential product liability claims. We also maintain a product liability insurance policy. However, our  contractual limitation of liability may be rejected or limited in certain jurisdiction and our insurance may not cover all relevant claims or may not provide sufficient coverage. To date, we have not experienced any material product liability claim. Our business, financial condition and operating results could be materially adversely affected if costs resulting from future claims are not covered by our insurance or exceed our coverage.

 
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 We are dependent upon a limited number of suppliers for key components that are incorporated in our products, including those used to build our hubs and VSATs, and may be significantly harmed if we are unable to obtain such components on favorable terms or on a timely basis.  We are also dependent upon a limited number of suppliers of space segment capacity, and may be significantly harmed if we are unable to obtain the space segment for the provision of services on favorable terms or on a timely basis.

Several of the components required to build our VSATs and hubs are manufactured by a limited number of suppliers. We have not experienced any difficulties with our suppliers with respect to availability of components. However, we cannot assure you of the continuous availability of key components or our ability to forecast our component requirements sufficiently in advance. Our research and development and operations groups are continuously working with our suppliers and subcontractors to obtain components for our products on favorable terms in order to reduce the overall price of our products. If we are unable to obtain the necessary volume of components at sufficiently favorable terms or prices, we may be unable to produce our products at competitive prices. As a result, sales of our products may be lower than expected, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and operating results. In addition, our suppliers are not always able to meet our requested lead times. If we are unable to satisfy customers' needs on time, we could lose their business.

In 2007 we entered into an outsourcing manufacturing agreement with a single source manufacturer for almost all of our indoor units. This agreement exposes us to certain risks related to our dependence on a single manufacturer which could include failure in meeting time tables and quantities, or material price increases which may affect our ability to provide competitive prices. We estimate that the replacement of the outsourcing manufacturer would, if necessary, take a period of between six to nine months.

There are only a limited number of suppliers of satellite transponder capacity and a limited amount of space segment available. We are dependent on these suppliers for our provision of services in Peru, Colombia and the United States. While we do secure long term agreements with our satellite transponder providers, we cannot assure the continuous availability of space segment, the pricing upon renewals of space segment and the continuous availability and coverage in the regions where we supply services. If we are unable to secure contracts with satellite transponder providers with reliable service at competitive prices, our services business could be adversely affected.

On March 11, 2011, a massive earthquake off the eastern coast of Japan triggered a devastating tsunami tidal wave, causing damage and destruction. It is too early to predict the long-term impact of this disaster on the availability of the components we source from Japan. Any long-term inability to obtain these components may result in our failure to meet time tables and quantity requirements, or may result in material price increases which may affect our ability to provide competitive prices.

Our insurance coverage may not be sufficient for every aspect or risk related to our business.

Our business includes risks, only some of which are covered by our insurance. For example, in many of our satellite capacity agreements, we do not have a back up for satellite capacity, and we do not have indemnification or insurance in the event that our supplier's satellite malfunctions or is lost. In addition, we are not covered by our insurance for acts of fraud or theft. Our business, financial condition and operating results could be materially adversely affected if we incur significant costs resulting from these exposures.

 
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Risks Related to Ownership of Our Ordinary Shares

Our share price has been highly volatile and may continue to be volatile and decline.

The trading price of our shares has fluctuated widely in the past and may continue to do so in the future as a result of a number of factors, many of which are outside our control. In addition, the stock market has experienced extreme price and volume fluctuations that have affected the market prices of many technology companies, particularly telecommunication and Internet-related companies, and that have often been unrelated or disproportionate to the operating performance of these companies. These broad market fluctuations could adversely affect the market price of our shares. In the past, following periods of volatility in the market price of a particular company's securities, securities class action litigation has often been brought against that company. Securities class action litigation against us could result in substantial costs and a diversion of our management's attention and resources.

If U.S. tax authorities were to treat us as a “passive foreign investment company”, that could have an adverse consequences on U.S. holders.
 
Holders of our ordinary shares who are United States residents may face income tax risks. There is a risk that we will be treated as a “passive foreign investment company.” Our treatment as a passive foreign investment company could result in a reduction in the after-tax return to the holders of our ordinary shares and would likely cause a reduction in the value of such shares. A foreign corporation will be treated as a passive foreign investment company for U.S. federal income tax purposes if either (1) at least 75% of its gross income for any taxable year consists of certain types of “passive income,” or (2) at least 50% of the average value of the corporation’s gross assets produce, or are held for the production of, such types of “passive income.” For purposes of these tests, “passive income” includes dividends, interest, gains from the sale or exchange of investment property and rents and royalties other than rents and royalties that are received from unrelated parties in connection with the active conduct of trade or business. For purposes of these tests, income derived from the performance of services does not constitute “passive income.” Those holders of shares in a passive foreign investment company who are citizens or residents of the United States or domestic entities would alternatively be subject to a special adverse U.S. federal income tax regime with respect to the income derived by the passive foreign investment company, the distributions they receive from the passive foreign investment company and the gain, if any, they derive from the sale or other disposition of their shares in the passive foreign investment company. In particular, any dividends paid by us would not be treated as “qualified dividend income” eligible for preferential tax rates in the hands of non-corporate U.S. shareholders.  United States residents should carefully read Item 10E. Additional Information – Taxation, for a more complete discussion of the U.S. federal income tax risks related to owning and disposing of our ordinary shares.
 
The concentration of our ordinary share ownership may limit our shareholders’ ability to influence corporate matters.

As of March 31, 2011, York Capital Management, or York, and entities affiliated with them beneficially own approximately 20% of our outstanding ordinary shares. As a result, York may have a substantial influence over all matters that require approval by our shareholders, including the election of directors and approval of significant corporate transactions. Corporate actions might be taken even if other shareholders oppose them. This concentration of ownership might also have the effect of delaying or preventing a change of control of our company that other shareholders may view as beneficial.

Future sales of our ordinary shares and the future exercise of options may cause the market price of our ordinary shares to decline and may result in substantial dilution.

We cannot predict what effect, if any, future sales of our ordinary shares by York and our other 5% shareholders, or the availability of our ordinary shares for future sale, including shares issuable upon the exercise of our options, will have on the market price of our ordinary shares. Pursuant to a registration rights agreement with York, we filed a registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission allowing for the disposition of 8,121,651 shares by them from time to time. Sales of substantial amounts of our ordinary shares in the public market by our 5% shareholders, or the perception that such sales could occur, could adversely affect the market price of our ordinary shares and may make it more difficult for you to sell your ordinary shares at a time and price you deem appropriate.

 
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We have never paid cash dividends and have no intention to pay dividends in the foreseeable future.

We have never paid cash dividends on our shares and do not anticipate paying any cash dividends in the foreseeable future. We intend to continue retaining earnings for use in our business, in particular to fund our research and development, which are important to capitalize on technological changes and develop new products and applications. In addition, the terms of some of our financing arrangements restrict us from paying dividends to our shareholders.  Any future dividend distributions are subject to the discretion of our board of directors and will depend on various factors, including our operating results, future earnings, capital requirements, financial condition, tax implications of dividend distributions on our income, future prospects and any other factors deemed relevant by our board of directors.  The distribution of dividends also may be limited by Israeli law, which permits the distribution of dividends only out of retained earnings or otherwise upon the permission of the court.  You should not rely on an investment in our company if you require dividend income from your investment.
 
Our ordinary shares are traded on more than one market and this may result in price variations.

Our ordinary shares are traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market and on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange. Trading in our ordinary shares on these markets is made in different currencies (U.S. dollars on the NASDAQ Global Select Market, and new Israeli Shekels, or NIS, on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange), and at different times (resulting from different time zones, different trading days and different public holidays in the United States and Israel). Consequently, the trading prices of our ordinary shares on these two markets often differ. Any decrease in the trading price of our ordinary shares on one of these markets could cause a decrease in the trading price of our ordinary shares on the other market.

Risks Related To Regulatory Matters

We have historically relied, and in the future intend to rely, upon tax benefits from the State of Israel to reduce our taxable income. The termination or reduction of these tax benefits would significantly increase our costs and could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

Under the Israeli Law for Encouragement of Capital Investments, 1959, or the Investment Law, portions of our Israeli facility qualify as "Approved Enterprises." As a result, we have been eligible for tax benefits for the first several years in which we generated taxable income from such "Approved Enterprise." Our historical operating results reflect substantial tax benefits, including tax exemptions and decreased tax rates up to December 31, 2000. In 2001, 2002 and 2003, we had substantial losses for tax purposes and a decrease in revenues and therefore could not realize any tax benefits since then due to current and/or carry forward losses. On April 1, 2005, an amendment to the Investment Law, or the Amendment, came into effect, that significantly changed the provisions of the Investment Law and the criteria for new investments qualified to receive tax benefits. The Amendment enacted major changes in the manner in which tax benefits are awarded under the Investment Law so that companies no longer require approval of the Investment Center of the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Labor of the State of Israel, or the Investment Center, in order to qualify for tax benefits. The Amendment is applied to new approved enterprises and there is no assurance that we will, in the future, be eligible to receive additional tax benefits under this law. Our financial condition and results of operations could suffer if the Israeli government terminated or reduced the current tax benefits available to us.

In order to be eligible for these tax benefits under the Amendment, we must comply with two material conditions. We must invest a specified amount in property and equipment in Israel, and at least 25% of each new "Approved Enterprise" income should be derived from export. We believe we have complied with these conditions, as well as other conditions specified in this law, but we have not received confirmation of our compliance from the Israeli government. If we fail in the future to comply in whole or in part with these conditions, we may be required to pay additional taxes and would likely be denied these tax benefits in the future, which could harm our financial condition and results of operations.

 
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The transfer and use of some of our technology and its production is limited because of the research and development grants we received from the Israeli government to develop such technology.

Our research and development efforts associated with the development of certain of our legacy products have been partially financed through grants from the Office of the Chief Scientist of the Israeli Ministry of Industry, Trade and Labor, or the OCS. We may be subject to certain restrictions under the terms of the OCS grants. Specifically, any product incorporating technology developed with the funding provided by these grants may not be manufactured, nor may the technology which is embodied in our products be transferred outside of Israel without appropriate governmental approvals. Such approvals, if granted, would involve increased payments to the OCS. These restrictions do not apply to the sale or export from Israel of our products developed with this technology.

Your rights and responsibilities as a shareholder are governed by Israeli law and differ in some respects from those under Delaware law.

Because we are an Israeli company, the rights and responsibilities of our shareholders are governed by our articles of association and by Israeli law. These rights and responsibilities differ in some respects from the rights and responsibilities of shareholders in a Delaware corporation. In particular, a shareholder of an Israeli company has a duty to act in good faith towards the company and other shareholders and to refrain from abusing his, her or its power in the company, including, among other things, in voting at the general meeting of shareholders on certain matters. Israeli law provides that these duties are applicable to shareholder votes on, among other things, amendments to a company’s articles of association, increases in a company’s authorized share capital, mergers and interested party transactions requiring shareholder approval. In addition, a shareholder who knows that it possesses the power to determine the outcome of a shareholders’ vote or to appoint or prevent the appointment of a director or executive officer in the company has a duty of fairness towards the company. However, Israeli law does not define the substance of this duty of fairness. Because Israeli corporate law has undergone extensive revisions in recent years, there is little case law available to assist in understanding the implications of these provisions that govern shareholder behavior.
 
As a foreign private issuer whose shares are listed on the NASDAQ Global Select Market, we may follow certain home country corporate governance practices instead of certain NASDAQ requirements, which may not afford shareholders with the same protections that shareholders of domestic companies have. We follow Israeli law and practice instead of NASDAQ rules regarding the director nominations process, the composition of our audit committee, compensation of executive officers and the requirement to obtain shareholder approval for the establishment or amendment of certain equity-based compensation plans and arrangements.

As a foreign private issuer whose shares are listed on the NASDAQ Global Select Market, we are permitted to follow certain home country corporate governance practices instead of certain requirements of The NASDAQ Marketplace Rules.  We follow Israeli law and practice instead of The NASDAQ Marketplace Rules with respect to the director nominations process, the composition of our audit and compensation committee, compensation of executive officers and the requirement to obtain shareholder approval for the establishment or material amendment of certain equity-based compensation plans and arrangements.  As a foreign private issuer listed on the NASDAQ Global Select Market, we may also follow home country practice with regard to, among other things, the requirement to obtain shareholder approval for certain dilutive events (such as for an issuance that will result in a change of control of the company, certain transactions other than a public offering involving issuances of a 20% or more interest in the company and certain acquisitions of the stock or assets of another company). A foreign private issuer that elects to follow a home country practice instead of NASDAQ requirements must submit to NASDAQ in advance a written statement from an independent counsel in such issuer’s home country certifying that the issuer’s practices are not prohibited by the home country’s laws. In addition, a foreign private issuer must disclose in its annual reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission each such requirement that it does not follow and describe the home country practice followed by the issuer instead of any such requirement. Accordingly, our shareholders may not be afforded the same protection as provided under NASDAQ’s corporate governance rules.
 
 
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We may fail to maintain effective internal controls in accordance with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, which could have an adverse effect on our financial results and the market price of our ordinary shares.
 
The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 imposes certain duties on us and on our executives and directors. Our efforts to comply with the requirements of Section 404, which started in connection with our 2006 Annual Report on Form 20-F, have resulted in an increased general and administrative expense and a diversion of management time and attention, and we expect these efforts to require the continued commitment of resources.  Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act requires us to provide (i) management’s annual review and evaluation of our internal control over financial reporting and (ii) a statement by management that its independent registered public accounting firm has issued an attestation report on our internal control over financial reporting, in connection with the filing of the Annual Report on Form 20-F for each fiscal year.  The rules governing the standards that must be met for management to assess our internal control over financial reporting are complex and require significant documentation, testing and possible remediation to meet the detailed standards under the rules.  During the course of its testing, our management may identify material weaknesses or significant deficiencies, which may not be remedied prior to the deadline imposed by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.  If we fail to maintain the adequacy of our internal controls, we may not be able to ensure that we can conclude on an ongoing basis that we have effective internal controls over financial reporting.  Failure to maintain effective internal controls over financial reporting could result in investigation or sanctions by regulatory authorities, and could have a material adverse effect on our operating results, investor confidence in our reported financial information, and the market price of our ordinary shares.
 
If we are unable to comply with Israel’s enhanced export control regulations our ability to export our products from Israel could be negatively impacted.

In recent years the Israeli government adopted laws and regulations regarding enhanced defense export controls and the export of “dual use” items (items that are typically sold in the commercial market but that may also be used in the defense market). If government approvals required under these laws and regulations are not obtained, our ability to export our products from Israel could be negatively impacted, thus causing a reduction in our revenues.

Risks Related to Our Location in Israel

Political and economic conditions in Israel may limit our ability to produce and sell our products. This could have a material adverse effect on our operations and business.

We are incorporated under the laws of the State of Israel, where we also maintain our headquarters and most of our research and development and manufacturing facilities. Political, economic and security conditions in Israel directly influence us. Since the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948, Israel and its Arab neighbors have engaged in a number of armed conflicts. A state of hostility, varying in degree and intensity, has led to security and economic problems for Israel.  Recent political unrest in the Middle East may also impact the relationship between Israel and its neighboring countries. Major hostilities between Israel and its neighbors may hinder Israel's international trade and lead to economic downturn. This, in turn, could have a material adverse effect on our operations and business.

There has been unrest and terrorist activity in Israel, which began in September 2000 and which has continued with varying levels of severity through 2010 and into 2011. The future effect of this deterioration and violence on the Israeli economy and our operations is unclear.  The election of representatives of the Hamas movement to a majority of seats in the Palestinian Legislative Council in January 2006 resulted in an escalation in violence among Israel, the Palestinian Authority and other groups.   In 2006, hostilities broke out between Israel and the Hezbollah in Lebanon which ended that same year, although there is continuing unrest in the region.  In January 2009, Israel attacked Hamas strongholds in the Gaza strip, in reaction to rockets that were fired from Gaza and which landed in Israel. In addition, Iran has threatened to attack Israel numerous times, and is widely believed to be developing nuclear weapons. Ongoing violence between Israel and the Palestinians as well as tension between Israel and other countries in the Middle East may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

 
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Furthermore, there are a number of countries, primarily in the Middle East, as well as Malaysia and Indonesia, that restrict business with Israel or Israeli companies, and we are precluded from marketing our products to these countries directly from Israel. Restrictive laws or policies directed towards Israel or Israeli businesses may have an adverse impact on our operations, our financial results or the expansion of our business.

Our results of operations may be negatively affected by the obligation of our personnel to perform military service.

Many of our employees in Israel are obligated to perform annual reserve duty in the Israeli Defense Forces and may be called for active duty under emergency circumstances at any time.  If a military conflict or war arises, these individuals could be required to serve in the military for extended periods of time.  Our operations could be disrupted by the absence for a significant period of one or more of our key employees or a significant number of other employees due to military service.  Any disruption in our operations could adversely affect our business.

Because most of our revenues are generated in U.S. dollars or are linked to the U.S. dollar while a portion of our expenses are incurred in NIS, our results of operations would be adversely affected if inflation in Israel is not offset on a timely basis by a devaluation of the NIS against the dollar.
 
Most of our revenues are in dollars or are linked to the U.S. dollar, while a portion of our expenses, principally salaries and related personnel expenses, are in NIS.  Therefore, our NIS related costs, as expressed in U.S. dollars, are influenced by the exchange rate between the U.S. dollar and the NIS.  During 2009 and 2010, the NIS appreciated against the U.S. dollar, which resulted in a significant increase in the U.S. dollar cost of our operations in Israel. We are also exposed to the risk that the rate of inflation in Israel will exceed the rate of devaluation of the NIS in relation to the U.S. dollar or that the timing of this devaluation lags behind inflation in Israel.  This would have the effect of increasing the dollar cost of our operations.  We cannot predict any future trends in the rate of inflation in Israel or the rate of devaluation or appreciation of the NIS against the U.S. dollar.  If the dollar cost of our operations in Israel increases, our dollar-measured results of operations will be adversely affected.  See Item 5: Operating and Financial Review and Prospects - Impact of Inflation and Currency Fluctuations.
 
You may not be able to enforce civil liabilities in the United States against our officers and directors.

Most of our executive officers and the Israeli experts named in this annual report reside outside the United States, and a significant portion of our assets and the personal assets of most of our directors and executive officers are located outside the United States. Therefore, it may be difficult to effect service of process upon any of these persons within the United States. In addition, a judgment obtained in the United States against us, or against such individuals, including but not limited to judgments based on the civil liability provisions of the United States federal securities laws, may not be collectible within the United States.
 
 
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It may also be difficult to bring an original action in an Israeli court to enforce judgments based upon the U.S. federal securities laws against us and most of our directors and executive officers. Subject to particular time limitations, executory judgments of a U.S. court for liquidated damages in civil matters may be enforced by an Israeli court, provided that:

 
·
the judgment was obtained after due process before a court of competent jurisdiction, that recognizes and enforces similar judgments of Israeli courts, and according to the rules of private international law currently prevailing in Israel;

 
·
adequate service of process was effected and the defendant had a reasonable opportunity to be heard;

 
·
the judgment and its enforcement are not contrary to the law, public policy, security or sovereignty of the State of Israel;

 
·
the judgment was not obtained by fraud and does not conflict with any other valid judgment in the same matter between the same parties;

 
·
the judgment is no longer appealable; and

 
·
an action between the same parties in the same matter is not pending in any Israeli court at the time the lawsuit is instituted in the foreign court.

If a foreign judgment is enforced by an Israeli court, it will be payable in Israeli currency.

Additionally, it may be difficult for an investor or any other person or entity, to assert U.S. securities law claims in original actions instituted in Israel. Israeli courts may refuse to hear a claim based on a violation of U.S. securities laws on the ground that Israel is not the most appropriate forum in which to bring such a claim. Even if an Israeli court agrees to hear a claim, it may determine that Israeli law is applicable to the claim. Certain matters of procedures will also be governed by Israeli law.

Israeli law may delay, prevent or make difficult a merger with, or an acquisition of us, which could prevent a change of control and therefore depress the price of our shares.

Provisions of Israeli law may delay, prevent or make undesirable a merger or an acquisition of all or a significant portion of our shares or assets. Israeli corporate law regulates acquisitions of shares through tender offers and mergers, requires special approvals for transactions involving significant shareholders and regulates other matters that may be relevant to these types of transactions. These provisions of Israeli law could have the effect of delaying or preventing a change in control and may make it more difficult for a third party to acquire us, even if doing so would be beneficial to our shareholders. These provisions may limit the price that investors may be willing to pay in the future for our ordinary shares. Furthermore, Israeli tax considerations may make potential transactions undesirable to us or to some of our shareholders.

Under current Israeli law, we may not be able to enforce covenants not to compete and therefore may be unable to prevent our competitors from benefiting from the expertise of some of our former employees.

We currently have non-competition clauses in the employment agreements of substantially all of our employees. The provisions of such clauses prohibit our employees, if they cease working for us, from directly competing with us or working for our competitors. Recently, Israeli labor courts have required employers, seeking to enforce non-compete undertakings against former employees, to demonstrate that the competitive activities of the former employee will cause harm to one of a limited number of material interests of the employer recognized by the courts (for example, the confidentiality of certain commercial information or a company's intellectual property). In the event that any of our employees chooses to leave and work for one of our competitors, we may be unable to prevent our competitors from benefiting from the expertise our former employee obtained from us, if we cannot demonstrate to the court that we would be harmed.
 
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A.            History and Development of the Company

We were incorporated in Israel in 1987 and are subject to the laws of the State of Israel. We are a public limited liability company under the Israeli Companies Law, 5759-1999 and operate under that law and associated legislation. Our corporate headquarters, executive offices and main research and development and engineering facilities, as well as facilities for some manufacturing and product assembly, facilities are located at Gilat House, 21 Yegia Kapayim Street, Kiryat Arye, Petah Tikva 49130, Israel. Our address in the United States is c/o Gilat Satellite Networks Inc. at 1750 Old Meadow Road, McLean VA. Our telephone number is (972) 3-925-2000. Our web-site address is www.gilat.com. The information on our website is not incorporated by reference into this annual report.

We are a leading global provider of Internet Protocol, or IP, based digital satellite communication and networking products and services. We design, produce and market VSATs, or very small aperture terminals, and related network equipment, such as power amplifiers and low-profile antennas. We have a large installed customer base and have shipped more than 750,000 VSAT units to customers in over 85 countries on six continents.
 
We shipped our first generation VSAT in 1989 and since then we have been among the technological leaders in the VSAT industry.  Our continuous investment in research and development has resulted in the development of new and industry-leading VSAT products and our intellectual property portfolio includes 66 issued patents (32 U.S. and 34 foreign) as well as 7 issued patents relating to our Satcom-On-The-Move antenna solutions and 6 issued patents (3 U.S. and 3 foreign) for our high power solid state amplifiers. As of December 31, 2010, we had 1,280 employees, including approximately 320 persons engaged in research, development and engineering activities.
 
We have 22 offices worldwide and two call centers to support our customers.  Our products are primarily sold to communication service providers and operators that use VSATs to serve enterprise, government and residential users, or to system integrators that use our technology. We also provide services directly to end-users in various market segments in the United States and certain countries in Latin America.
 
In July 2010, we completed the acquisition of Raysat Antenna Systems LLC, or RAS, a leading provider of Satcom-On-The-Move antenna solutions for $25 million in cash. In August 2010 we completed the acquisition of Raysat BG, a Bulgarian research and development center for $5.7 million. In November 2010, we completed the acquisition of Wavestream, a provider of high power solid state amplifiers, or SSPA, Block Upconverters, or BUCs,, with field-proven, high performance solutions designed for mobile and fixed satellite communication, or SATCOM, systems worldwide for $135 million.
 
In 2010, 2009 and 2008, our property and equipment purchases amounted to approximately $7.6 million, $4.5 million and $13.8 million, respectively.  These amounts do not include the reclassification of inventory to property and equipment made during 2010, 2009 and 2008 in the amount of approximately $0.7 million, $0.8 million and $3.4 million, respectively.
 
B.            Business Overview

We are a leading provider of satellite and other network communications products and services. We design and manufacture satellite and networking communications equipment, which we sell to our customers either as network components or as complete or turnkey network solutions. The equipment that we develop includes VSAT systems, network appliances, power amplifiers and low-profile antennas. Our equipment is used by government organizations, large corporations and enterprises. We also provide connectivity services,  including managed network services, Internet access and telephony, to enterprise, government and residential customers in the United States, Peru and Colombia. These services are delivered over our own networks which are built using our own equipment.

 
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We operate as three separate businesses – Gilat Worldwide, Spacenet and Wavestream. Spacenet and Wavestream are wholly owned subsidiaries. This operational structure reflects the change we implemented in mid-2010 to create a more unified organization, bringing together Gilat’s expanded VSAT business and our Peru and Colombia service operations, as well as integrating RAS and Wavestream, which we acquired during the year.

Gilat Worldwide is comprised of Gilat International and Gilat Peru & Colombia.

Gilat International is a provider of VSAT-based networks and associated professional services, including turnkey and management services, to telecom operators worldwide. Since our acquisition of RAS, Gilat International is also a provider of low-profile antennas, used for  Satcom-On-The-Move antenna solutions. We began managing the operations of RAS in 2010. Since then, the Israeli division of RAS was integrated into Gilat International, and the U.S division of RAS was integrated into SIGS, a subsidiary of Spacenet Inc. 
 
Representative customers of Gilat International include Brazil Telecom, Optus in Australia, Bharti in India, ICE in Costa Rica, Nepal Telecom, ETC in Ethiopia and Telefonica in Latin America.

Gilat Peru & Colombia (formerly Spacenet Rural Communications, or SRC) provides services in Peru and Colombia through our subsidiaries there. These services are primarily telephony, Internet and data services for rural areas under projects that are subsidized by governmental entities.

According to the latest COMSYS VSAT Report, published in 2009 by a leading satellite industry research firm - Communications Systems Limited, or COMSYS (which refers to a market study from 2008),  we are the second-largest manufacturer of VSATs to the enterprise market, with a 28.3%  market share of shipped VSATs.  We also provide industry specific solutions for cellular backhaul, business continuity and disaster recovery.

In the year ended December 31, 2010, we derived approximately 64% of our revenues from our Gilat Worldwide VSAT operations.

Spacenet Inc., or Spacenet, provides managed network communications services through satellite networks and hybrid satellite terrestrial networks.  Spacenet serves enterprise, government, small office/home office, or SOHO, and residential customers primarily in the United States, but also in locations throughout North America. Spacenet provides three primary lines of service:  custom commercial grade networks for large enterprise and government customers; Connexstar networks, which are standardized commercial grade services; and StarBand services, which are typically geared towards small office and residential users.  According to the COMSYS report, we have a 24.5% market share of U.S. VSAT enterprise sites. In the year ended December 31, 2010, we derived approximately 37% of our revenues from Spacenet. Representative customers of Spacenet include Dollar General, Regis Corporation, Goodyear, Verizon/USPS, Scientific Games, Intralot, GTECH, Boston Market, Target, Centerpoint Energy, PG&E, Detroit Edison, Devon Energy, Cumberland Farms, Sunoco and Valero.
 
Spacenet Integrated Government Solutions, Inc., or SIGS, a subsidiary of Spacenet, was created in late 2009 specifically to address the growing market for government solutions and services in the United States.

We have been expanding the presence of SIGS in the government market with the launch of targeted product offerings for new government customers in the U.S. Department of Defense and other federal agencies such as the Department of Homeland Security, FEMA and others.  We began to integrate the operations of the U.S. division of RAS into SIGS in 2010.

 
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Wavestream Corporation, or Wavestream, provides high-power SSPAs mainly to system integrators that serve various defense and homeland security agencies. Wavestream is an independent designer and manufacturer of SSPAs and Block-Up Converters (BUCs) for mission-critical satellite communications worldwide.

Wavestream’s patented, leading-edge Spatial Power Combining technology enables higher output power from smaller packages with greater efficiency, reliability and lower cost than other existing technologies in high frequency bands like Ka. Wavestream provides product solutions for multiple applications targeting military, commercial and broadcast satellite communications systems.

Gilat has diversified revenue streams that result from both sales of products and services. In the year ended December 31, 2010, approximately 52% of our revenues were derived from product sales and 48% from services. Our enterprise service revenues are typically derived from long-term contracts of three to six years, which provide stability and visibility into future revenues. During the same period, we derived 36% of our revenues from the United States, 36% from Latin America, 16% from Asia, 7% from Africa and 5% from Europe.  As of December 31, 2010, we had a backlog of $232 million for equipment and multi-year service contracts.

Industry Overview

There is global demand for satellite-based communications solutions for a number of reasons. Primarily, this is still the only truly ubiquitous networking solution. Secondly, satellite communications are more readily available as compared to alternative terrestrial communications networks. Lastly, satellite communications solutions offer rapidly deployed secure broadband connectivity and broadband communications on the move.

A 2-way broadband satellite communications solution is comprised of the following elements:

 
·
Communications satellite – Typically a satellite in geostationary orbit (synchronized with the earth’s orbit) with a fixed coverage of a portion of the earth (up to approximately one third).
 
 
·
Satellite communications ground station equipment – These are devices that have a combination of datacom and RF elements designed to deliver data via communication satellites. Examples of ground station equipment are remote site terminals, such as VSATs, and central hub station systems. Gilat is a leading provider of VSAT ground station equipment.
 
 
·
Antenna (satellite dish) – These can vary quite significantly in size, power and complexity depending on the ground equipment they are connected to, and their application. For example, antennas connected to VSATs generally are in the range of one meter in diameter while those connected to the central hub system can be in the range of ten meters in diameter. Antennas used on moving vehicles need to be compact and have an auto-pointing mechanism so that they can remain locked onto the satellite during motion. RAS is a leading provider of low-profile in-motion satellite antennas.
 
 
·
Amplifiers and BUCs – These are the components that connect the ground station equipment with the antenna. The purpose of the amplifiers and BUCs is to amplify the power and convert the frequency of the transmitted RF signal. Wavestream is a leading provider of high power solid state amplifiers.

 
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Broadband satellite networks are comprised of ground stations at multiple locations that communicate through a satellite in geostationary orbit, providing continent-wide wireless connectivity. Satellite broadband networks are used to provide a variety of traffic types such as broadband data, video and voice. The value chain of satellite network services consists of the following four main elements:


 
Satellite operators provide satellite transponder capacity on satellites positioned in geostationary orbit above the equator. A typical satellite can cover a geographic area the size of the continental U.S. or larger. The satellite receives information from the ground station equipment, amplifies it and transmits it back to earth on a different frequency. Satellite operators sell the capacity in a variety of leasing agreements to their customers. The current generation of high-power satellites uses Ku-band frequencies. Other frequencies are C-band and the more recently introduced Ka-band which usually operates on a multi-beam configuration. Our technology is compatible with C-band, Ku-band and Ka-band satellites including special extended C-band and extended Ku-band satellites. Some of the leading satellite operators are Intelsat, SES and Eutelsat.

Ground station equipment providers manufacture network equipment for both VSAT networks and broadcast markets. VSAT systems combine a large central earth station, called a hub, with multiple remote sites (ranging from tens to thousands of sites), which communicate via satellite. Equipment components for the broadcast markets include, among others, video encoders, large earth antennas, and storage equipment.  Gilat is a leading ground station equipment provider for VSAT systems.

Communication service providers buy equipment from ground station equipment providers, install and maintain such equipment, lease capacity from satellite operators and sell a full package of communication services to the end user. Spacenet and Gilat Peru & Colombia are leading communication service providers in the United States, Peru and Colombia, respectively.

End users are customers that use equipment and satellite communication services. Examples of end users range from enterprises, to government ministries and agencies, to residential consumers.

System integrators are companies that provide customized solutions to end users by integrating the necessary equipment and services. For example, defense organizations typically work with specialized system integrators that integrate various components, such as power amplifiers and low profile antennas, into a satellite terminal.

The most common satellite broadband network uses VSAT systems that are deployed in a hub-and-spoke configuration, with remote locations connecting via satellite to a central hub station. VSAT networks have a diverse range of uses and applications, and provide communication services as a stand-alone, alternative, or complementary service to wireline and wireless networks.

 
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We believe that the advantages of VSAT networks include:

 
·
Universal availability - VSATs provide service to any location within a satellite footprint.
 
 
·
Timely implementation - Large networks can be deployed within a few weeks.
 
 
·
Broadcast and multicast capabilities - Satellite is an ideal solution for broadcast and multicast transmission as the satellite signal is simultaneously received by any group of users in the satellite footprint.
 
 
·
Reliability and service availability - VSAT network availability is high due to the satellite and ground equipment reliability, the small number of components in the network and terrestrial infrastructure independence.
 
 
·
Scalability - VSAT networks scale easily from a single site to thousands of locations.
 
 
·
Cost-effectiveness - The cost of VSAT networks is independent of distance and therefore it is a cost-effective solution for networks comprised of multiple sites in remote locations.
 
 
·
Applications delivery – VSAT networks offer a wide variety of customer applications such as e-mail, virtual private networks, or VPN, video, voice, Internet access, distance learning, content distribution and financial transactions.
 
 
·
Portability and Mobility - VSAT solutions can be mounted on vehicles for communications on the move, or deployed rapidly for communications in fixed locations and then relocated or moved as required.

Given the technological and implementation benefits afforded by VSAT networks, we believe that the market for VSAT products and services will continue to grow. In particular, according to a 2010 report from NSR, a leading international telecom market research and consulting firm, the number of broadband satellite sites and subscribers is expected to grow at a compounded annual growth rate, or CAGR, of 15.8% through 2019. With the NSR report measuring both consumer and enterprise sites, we believe there will be growth in the enterprise market which is the primary market to which Gilat sells.

In addition, the availability of auto-pointing satellite antennas designed for in-motion two way communications has created market demand particularly from the defense and first responders, such as emergency services, segments. These antennas are usually mounted on the roof of a vehicle and connected to a satellite terminal within the vehicle. An important requirement that defense organizations have in this mission-critical application is for low-profile antennas, to avoid drawing unnecessary attention to the vehicle. We believe that the demand for light-weight, low-profile antenna systems will increase as well.

There are five primary categories of markets that require broadband satellite products and services:

Enterprise and Business.  These end-users include large companies and organizations, small- medium enterprises, or SMEs, and SOHO end users. For enterprises, VSAT networks offer network connectivity and deliver voice, data and video within corporations (known as corporate intranets), Internet access, transaction-based connectivity to enable on-line data delivery such as point-of-sale (credit and debit card authorization), inventory control and real time stock exchange trading.

High-End. The high-end market consists of customers that have more demanding network performance requirements. These requirements usually include higher level of Quality of Service, or QoS, than the typical user, higher speed connectivity, segregation of their traffic from other users’ traffic and more control over the network. Some examples of customers belonging to the high-end market are industrial energy organizations such as oil & gas and mining companies, Digital Satellite News gathering, or DSNG, armed forces, maritime companies and mobile operators.

 
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Rural Telecommunications.  The rural telecommunications market is comprised of communities throughout the world that require telephone, facsimile and Internet access in areas that are underserved by existing telecommunications services. These communication services are usually provided to the rural population via government-subsidized initiatives. This market sector is comprised of "Build-Operate" projects, in which governments subsidize the establishment and the operation of a rural network to be served by a satellite, wireless or cellular service provider that is usually selected in a bid process. According to the 2006 GSM Association Universal Access Report, 57 out of the 92 emerging market and developing countries sampled for their study have plans to establish universal service funds, or USFs, within their jurisdictions to meet local telephony and Internet service requirements. According to this report, the USFs jointly collected approximately $6.0 billion worldwide through 2006, out of which $1.62 billion has been redistributed to the telecommunications industry. To our knowledge, no updates have been released since the publication of this report, and, although this report is relatively dated, we believe it continues to be indicative of the market potential. In other instances, local communications operators have universal service obligations, or USOs, which require them to serve rural areas lacking terrestrial infrastructure. Some local communications operators elect to fulfill this obligation by hiring third parties in a model known as "Build-Operate-Transfer." In these instances, the network is established and made operational by a third party service provider, which operates it for a certain period of time and then it is transferred to the operator.

Consumer.  The consumer market consists of residential users. These users require a high-speed internet connection similar to a digital subscriber line, or DSL, or cable modem service. According to the NSR report from 2010, North America will continue to lead the world in terms of subscribers and revenues from satellite broadband access services, and Western Europe will make a strong breakout for second place in the coming years.
 
Government.  The government sector consists of homeland security and military users. The versatility, reliability, and resiliency of VSAT networks, the in-motion low profile antennas and the lightweight SSPAs are a perfect fit for security and armed forces. Spatial-combining technology implemented on the Wavestream SSPAs introduces significant efficiency, size and weight advantages. For example, VSAT systems with low power lightweight amplifiers can be quickly deployed in disaster areas, as a replacement for destroyed wireless or wire line networks, providing communication services to emergency personnel and law enforcement units. In military applications, VSAT networks can be used as a reliable overlay to manage the entire battlefield communications, serve as communication backup infrastructure, and be used for primary tactical communications offering communications from a moving vehicle. In these cases the low-profile antennas provide additional benefit to the end-user.

Our Competitive Strengths

We are a leading provider of satellite communication and networking products and services. Our competitive strengths include:
 
Market leadership in large and growing markets.  Since our inception, we have sold more than 750,000 VSATs, 1,000 low profile antennas and 7,000 SSPAs to customers in over 85 countries. Our customer base includes a large number of satellite-based communications service providers, system integrators and operators worldwide. In addition, we provide satellite-based communication services primarily to enterprises in the United States and we are one of the largest satellite communications service providers to rural communities in Latin America.
 
The large installed base of our VSAT equipment also provides opportunities for new and incremental sales to existing customers. According to the last COMSYS report published in 2009, our global market share to the enterprise and government market was approximately 28.5%, based on the number of terminals shipped, making us the second largest VSAT manufacturer in the world for this segment.

Our installed base for low profile Satcom-On-The-Move antennas provides us opportunities for new and incremental sales to existing customers. Specifically, we are focused on the US DoD market and China.

We have a large installed base of SSPAs in the US Department of Defense, based on power amplifiers sold to the system integrators, who then provided a complete satellite terminal based on our equipment. Our SSPAs are widespread in the US Department of Defense, for both Ka Band and Ku Band terminals.

 
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Technology leadership.  We have been at the forefront of VSAT technology and services for over 23 years and continue to be an innovator and developer of new satellite technologies. Our highly customizable VSAT technology enables us to provide our customers with a wide range of broadband, Internet, voice, data and video solutions.  Our product and operations infrastructure is capable of running hubs with greater than 99.8% availability while rolling out thousands of new VSAT site locations each month. Our SkyEdge II, state-of-the-art solution, provides high performance and excellent space segment efficiency. Our legacy product lines are known for their durability and resilience.  Our low-profile, Satcom-On-The-Move, antennas provide reliable broadband communications for defense and security applications. Our state-of-the-art SSPAs provide excellent performance, even at the extreme end of temperature and environmental performance specifications. Our research, development and engineering team is comprised of approximately 320 persons, enabling us to rapidly develop new features and applications. Moreover, by directly serving end-users through our service organizations, we are able to quickly respond to changing market conditions to ensure we maintain our leadership position.

Global presence and local support worldwide.  We have sold our products in over 85 countries on six continents. Our products and services are used by a large and diverse group of customers including some of the largest enterprises in the world, several government agencies and many rural communities. We have 19 sales and service offices worldwide. Through our network of offices we are able to maintain a two-tier customer support program offering local support offices and a centralized supply facility.

Complementary business lines for turnkey solutions.  With Gilat Worldwide, Spacenet and Wavestream, we are able to provide a full turnkey solution to our customers by integrating a diverse range of value-added products and services. Our product and service offerings -- VSAT network equipment, power amplifiers, low-profile  Satcom-On-The-Move, antennas, installation, operation and maintenance --  provide communication services ranging from broadband, Internet, voice, data and video to managed solutions that can be customized and are highly flexible. Our business model enables us to be closely attuned to all of our customers' needs and to rapidly adapt to changing market trends. Our VSAT-based networks often serve as a platform for the delivery of a complete system, providing versatile solutions for corporate enterprises, government agencies, SMEs, rural communities, SOHOs and consumers.
 
Diversified revenue streams and customer base.  For the year ended December 31, 2010, approximately 52% of our revenues were generated from products and 48% of our revenues were generated from services. Our product sales are generally independent equipment orders which often generate maintenance contracts and additional opportunities for future product sales. Our service sales are characterized by long-term contracts that provide a recurring revenue base. In the year ended December 31, 2010, our three businesses - Gilat Worldwide (Gilat International and Gilat Peru & Colombia), Spacenet and Wavestream accounted for 64%, 34%, and 2% of our revenues, respectively.  We are not overly dependent on any single customer, project, or geographic region.
 
Strong financial position.  As of December 31, 2010, our cash balance was $64.5 million (including cash and cash equivalents, short and long term restricted cash, restricted cash held by trustees and short bank credits), and our debt was $61.8 million.

Delivery Capabilities.  Over the years we have demonstrated our ability to deploy communication networks in the most remote, transportation challenged, and technology adverse areas. This experience enhances  both our ability to plan and implement sophisticated communication networks in remote areas, as well as in challenging terrain, and our ability to meet technological challenges like a lack of electrical power infrastructure or a lack of any physical infrastructure. Our teams are proficient in delivering solutions in these instances, with a high success rate.

Experienced management team.  Our Chairman and CEO, Amiram Levinberg, is a co-founder of our company and leads a highly experienced executive team of satellite industry veterans.  Our Board of Directors is comprised of senior professionals with a broad range of business and financial experience.

 
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Our Growth Strategy

Our objective is to leverage our advanced technology and capabilities to:

Expand our presence in the military Satcom market. Building on our technology leadership and growing presence with armed forces around the world, we are increasing our focus on this growing market segment both in the United States and globally. In the United States we established Spacenet Integrated Government Solutions, also known as SIGS, a subsidiary of Spacenet, which is focusing on expanding our reach to new customers including the Department of Defense, Homeland Security, the Intelligence community and government related agencies. We have recently acquired Raysat Antennas Systems and Wavestream, whose customers are mostly in the defense and security markets. We have also increased our research and development effort to develop the specific capabilities and solutions required by armed forces and homeland security agencies globally. We are investing in this market segment as we believe its global growth will contribute to our business.

Continue to expand our system integration offerings. We are a leader in deploying VSAT solutions in remote or otherwise challenging areas. Building on this strength we have expanded our business beyond core VSAT networks to deliver complete and comprehensive solutions to our customers even in instances where the VSAT technology is not the main part of the solution. We see a growth in demand for vendors capable of fully delivering integrated solutions for interdisciplinary, communication based projects. In these cases we handle the project management, solution design, equipment procurement, deployment logistics, installation and integration, operational services, maintenance and support.

Strengthen and expand our technology leadership. We are strengthening our technology leadership by our continuing investment in research and development and have increased our research and development budget for 2011, with a view of expanding our product portfolio with new product offerings and new capabilities. Our flagship product, SkyEdge II, has cutting edge space segment utilization and performance. Our new offerings, the NetEdge and Prysm Pro, enable our customers new opportunities in deploying communication networks suited to their needs.  We plan to strengthen and expand our support for Ka band and multi-spot beam satellites so that our VSATs will be better able to utilize new Ka band capacity as more becomes available.  In addition, we are focusing on developments for enhanced performance and capabilities of our SSPAs, and are planning to expand our Satcom-On-The-Move antenna offerings in terms of size and electronic steering capabilities.

Focus on emerging markets.  We have expanded our focus on rural and emerging markets. Traditionally, it has been considered too costly for service providers to provide full-terrestrial networks to these regions. As a result, many governments either require telecommunications operators to provide communications access through USOs to these communities or provide funding via USFs to subsidize the provision of these services. The figure for available worldwide USF funding was estimated in 2006 to be $4 billion in approximately 15 countries and we believe that today’s figure is similar. As this communications rollout is adopted, VSAT-based communication networks provide a high quality, cost-effective alternative to terrestrial, wireless and cellular systems. We focus our sales efforts on offering solutions to service providers that are either being required by USOs to facilitate the rural expansion, or on offering solutions to service providers that are utilizing the subsidies created through USFs.

Proactively evaluate acquisitions that will support and enable our growth strategy.  As we continue to focus on expanding the target markets for our products, services and solutions, we may have opportunities to acquire companies or technologies that would be complementary or additive to our existing platform and global distribution channels. We will proactively, but selectively, evaluate opportunities to expand our business.
 
 
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Our Businesses
 
Gilat Worldwide (Gilat International and Gilat Peru & Colombia)

Overview

Gilat International

Gilat International is a leading global provider of VSAT-based networks and associated professional services to telecom operators worldwide. Our operational experience in deploying large VSAT networks together with our global network of local offices enable us to work closely and directly with those providers. We provide VSAT communication equipment and solutions to the commercial, government and consumer markets.

Our SkyEdge product family, including the SkyEdge and SkyEdge II products, allows us to deliver efficient, reliable and affordable broadband connectivity such as Internet, voice, data and video.

We provide solutions tailored to the requirements of individual industries. Based on our open SkyEdge platform, our solutions provide added value to operators through better performance and integration as well as simpler deployment. One such solution is SkyAbis, which provides cost-effective cellular backhaul for rural communications.

We also support satellite networking through professional services, training and a full range of turnkey solutions and outsourced network operations including "Build-Operate-Transfer" for networking facilities.

Gilat International is headquartered in Petah Tikva, Israel with 448 employees, and has 14 offices worldwide. In the year ended December 31, 2010, Gilat International had revenues of $ 130.8 million, including sales of $ 17.1 million to Spacenet and Gilat Peru & Colombia.

During 2010, we completed the acquisition of RAS, and its Israel-based business was integrated within Gilat International and its US-based business was integrated within SIGS. RAS was created in 2006 with the purpose of providing efficient, high standard, cost effective solutions for the Satcom-On-The-Move market. Since then, RAS has specialized in the development, marketing, sales and support of in-motion, low-profile, 2-way satellite antenna systems.

Products and Solutions

SkyEdge Family of Products

Our SkyEdge product family is based on a single hub with multiple VSATs to support a variety of services and applications. The products were designed using advanced technology to enable them to process different types of user traffic such as voice, critical data, Internet traffic and video, to handle each type of traffic in an efficient manner and provide the necessary quality of service for each traffic stream. The SkyEdge also includes advanced mechanisms which ensure that the transmissions via the satellite utilize the available satellite bandwidth efficiently and enhance the user experience.

 
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Below is a table that shows the main VSAT products Gilat International offers. All of these products are connected to an outdoor RF unit which is mounted on a dish antenna:
 
NetEdge is a high-performance satellite communications solution, specifically designed to meet the requirements of multi-star (a network topology which consists of remote sites connected to a regional gateway and also to the main hub, also called star-within-star networks) private networks for corporations as well as for cellular backhaul applications. The NetEdge solution is composed of remote sites using SkyEdge II Access/Pro VSATs, NetEdge Gateways, and a SkyEdge II hub. Single-hop connectivity is provided network-wide between the NetEdge components. This enhances the user experience and application performance for all intra-corporation, cellular backhaul and Internet traffic. NetEdge is competitively priced and offers bandwidth savings that can reach 30% and more compared to Single Channel per Carrier, or SCPC, solutions. NetEdge offers network efficiency and reduces the total cost of ownership. NetEdge is installed as an expansion of a SkyEdge II hub and as a result, adding additional NetEdge Gateways to an existing hub is simple.
 
 
Another addition to our product offering is the Prysm Pro Network Appliance. Prysm Pro supports advanced applications over satellite, wire-line and wireless networks, helps multi-site enterprises support multiple secure networks with centralized management and enables hybrid switching between wire-line and wireless technologies. It is a modular, scalable, off-the-shelf IP network appliance that offers benefits to customers. The Prysm Pro appliance is integrated with Spacenet’s managed network services, providing access to a user-friendly web portal to enable simplified and centralized network management.
  
 
 
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Prysm Pro Network Appliance Sample Applications

Raysat Antenna Systems family of Products

The RAS low-profile, in-motion, broadband 2-way antennas are specifically designed for the needs of  the Satcom-On-The-Move market and provide advanced solutions for a variety of mobile applications:

•
Military - Strategic military advantage by supporting the transfer of real-time intelligence while on-the-move with a small, low profile, hard to track antenna;
• 
Digital satellite news gathering – always on, no set up time, real-time streaming video;
•
First responders – supports vehicles’ mobility, agility and stability required for teams to be the first to reach the scene; and
• 
Search and exploration teams, close-to-shore vessels etc.

The following table describes the RAS low-profile antennas:
 
 
StealthRay 2000
StealtRay 3000/20
StealthRay 5000
       
Description
Ku band 2-way low-profile in-motion antenna with external BUC
Ku band 2-way low-profile in-motion satellite antenna with integrated BUC & amplifier
Ku band 2-way low-profile in-motion satellite antenna with enhanced Tx gain, external BUC
Height (cm)
15
18
21
Dimension (cm)
115 L x 90 W
115 L x 90 W
115 L x 90 W
Weight (kg)
28
35
35
 
 
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Gilat International Pre-Packaged Solutions

Our VSAT-based networks serve as a platform for the delivery of custom tailored solutions for identified markets. We pre-package, commercialize and sell these end-to-end solutions, which offer higher value to our customers. For example, our SkyAbis supports a cellular backhaul application for Global System for Mobile Communications, or GSM, and Code Division Multiple Access, or CDMA, cellular-based stations.

Our end-to-end solutions include government communication infrastructure solutions for post offices, elections, military and security and rapid VSAT deployment. We also provide turnkey solutions that include installation, operation and third-party peripheral equipment.

System Integration and Turnkey Implementation

We have expanded our business beyond core VSAT networks to deliver our customers complete and comprehensive solutions to their needs even where VSAT is not the main part of that solution. We see a growth in market demand for vendors capable of fully delivering integrated solutions for interdisciplinary, communication based projects.

In other situations we are required to provide our VSAT solution in a turnkey mode whereby we are responsible for the complete end-to-end solution.

In the case of turnkey solutions, and occasionally in projects requiring system integrations, we provide our customers with a full and comprehensive solution including:

 
·
Project management – accompanying the customer through all stages of a project and ensuring that the project objectives are within the predefined scope, time and budget;

 
·
Network design – translating the customer’s requirements into a system to be deployed, performing the sizing and dimensioning of the system and evaluating the available solutions;

 
·
Deployment logistics – transportation and rapid installation of equipment in all of the network sites;
 
 
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·
Implementation and integration – combining our equipment with third party equipment such as solar panel systems and surveillance systems as well as developing tools to allow the customer to monitor and control the system;

 
·
Operational services – providing professional services, program management, network operations and field services; and

 
·
Maintenance and support – providing 24/7 helpdesk services, on-site technician support and equipment repairs and updates.
 
Manufacturing, Customer Support and Warranty

Our VSAT products are designed and tested primarily at our facilities in Israel. We outsource a significant portion of the VSAT manufacturing of our products to third parties. Raysat antenna products are designed at our facilities in Bulgaria where we also manufacture components, with assembly at our facilities in Israel.  We also work with third-party vendors for the development and manufacture of components integrated into our products, as well as for assembly of components for our products.

We offer a customer care program for our VSAT products, which we refer to as SatCare, and professional services programs that improve customer network availability through ongoing support and maintenance cycles. As part of our professional services, we provide:

 
·
 
Outsourced operations such as VSAT installation, service commissioning and hub operations:

 
·
 
Proactive troubleshooting, such as periodic network analysis, to identify symptoms in advance; and

 
·
 
Training and certification to ensure customers and local installers are proficient in VSAT operation.

We typically provide a one-year warranty to our customers as part of our standard contract.

Gilat International Sales and Marketing

We use both direct and indirect sales channels to market our products, solutions and services. Most of our revenues are derived from direct sales. Our equipment sales division has organized its marketing activities by geographic areas, with groups or subsidiaries covering most regions of the world. Our sales teams are comprised of account managers and sales engineers who establish account relationships and determine technical and business requirements for the customer’s network. These teams also support the other distribution channels with advanced technical capabilities and application experience. Sales cycles in the VSAT network market vary significantly, with some sales requiring 18 months and even more, from an initial lead through signing of the contract and others stemming from an immediate need for product delivery within two to three months. The sales process includes gaining an understanding of customer needs, several network design iterations and network demonstrations.

Gilat Peru & Colombia

Through our operations in Peru and Colombia, we are service providers for public telephony and Internet services to rural areas there. In these countries, we have built the infrastructure and act as an operator (Build-and-Operate model) in subsidized government projects. Our services include operating public phones and telecenters and distributing pre-paid cards for telephone usage at remote villages. In addition, Gilat Peru & Colombia use their infrastructure to provide services to enterprise, SME, SOHO and residential customers. They also provide outsourcing of VSAT network implementation and operation to other operators in the region.

 
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Gilat Peru & Colombia has local offices in Peru and Colombia and employs 226 persons. In the year ended December 31, 2010, revenues from Gilat Peru & Colombia were $ 35.9 million.

Services and Solutions

We began to operate in Peru in 1998, with the award of our first rural telephony project called "Frontera Norte" for FITEL, with approximately 200 sites. Since then, we have participated in most rural communications projects launched by the Peruvian government and have won, either wholly or partially, seven projects. Overall, we operate almost 8,700 telephony sites in Peru, of which approximately 1,000 have Internet connectivity, and have been awarded over $45 million in government subsidies to build and operate these networks. We have recently won our eighth project for additional 770 sites with subsidies of approximately $14.5 million. In addition, we have developed services for financial sector customers, such as Banco de la Nacion, utilizing our current infrastructure and providing those customers with Internet, data and telephony services. Our rural network manages millions of incoming and outgoing minutes every month, serving more than six million people in rural areas. On average, deployment of the network in Peru has reduced the distance between rural phone locations from 50km to 5km.

Gilat Colombia started operations in 1999 by winning the government's Compartel I project focused on rural telephony. Since then we were awarded two additional projects with over $100 million in government subsidies in the aggregate – Rural Communitarian Telephony (TRC I and TRC II) and Telecentros.  Currently, Gilat Colombia operates a network of approximately 2,000 rural sites spread throughout the country, serving over a million persons. The services for those rural sites include telephony, Internet, data, fax and other services. In 2008, the Ministry of Communications in Colombia renegotiated with the Company new agreements through December 2009.  Following our successful fulfillment of the new agreements with the Colombian Government, the Ministry of Communications in Colombia extended and amended the agreements for the provision of services under these agreements for an additional one-year term, through December 2010.  The agreements were again amended and extended for an additional one-year term through December 2011.

Customer Support Operations

Gilat Peru & Colombia complement their services with back office support for subsidized telephony and Internet networks as well as for private Internet, data and telephony clients including a call center, network operations center, field service maintenance and a pre-paid calling card platform and distribution channels.

Gilat Worldwide Customers and Markets

Gilat International.  We sell VSAT communications networks and solutions primarily to service providers that mostly serve the enterprise market. We have more than 200 such customers worldwide.

Enterprise and service provider customers use our networks for Internet access, broadband data, voice and video connectivity and for applications such as credit card authorizations, online banking, corporate intranet, interactive distance learning, lottery transactions, retail point-of-sale, inventory control and Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition, or SCADA, services.

Service providers serving the rural communications market are typically public telephony and Internet operators providing telephony and Internet services through public call offices, telecenters, Internet cafes or pay phones. Some of the rural communication projects are for government customers. Examples of our rural telecom customers include Telefonica in Peru, ETC in Ethiopia, and ICE in Costa Rica.

Our VSAT networks also provide underserved areas with a high-speed Internet connection similar to DSL service provided to residential users. An example of such a customer is Optus in Australia.

 
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Gilat Peru & Colombia

Public Rural Telecom Services:

In a large number of remote and rural areas, primarily in developing countries, there is limited or no telephone or Internet service, due to inadequate terrestrial telecommunications infrastructure. In these areas, VSAT networks utilize existing satellites to rapidly provide high-quality, cost-effective telecommunications solutions. In contrast to terrestrial networks, VSAT networks are simple to reconfigure or expand, relatively immune to difficulties of topography and can be situated almost anywhere. Additionally, VSATs can be installed and connected to a network quickly without the need to rely on local infrastructure. For example, some of our VSATs are powered by solar energy where there is no existing power infrastructure. Our VSATs provide reliable service, seldom require maintenance and, when necessary, repair is relatively simple.

As a result of the above advantages, there is a demand for government-sponsored, VSAT-based bundled services of fixed telephony and Internet access. Many of these government-funded projects have been expanded to provide not only telephony services and Internet access, but to also provide telecenters that can serve the local population. These telecenters typically include PCs, printers, fax machines, photocopiers, VCRs and TVs for educational programs. Additional revenue may be received, both in the form of subsidies and direct revenues from the users, when these additional services are provided. Our rural telecom government customers are the Ministry of Information Technologies and Communication/Fonade  in Colombia and FITEL in Peru.

VSAT Services to Telecom Operators:

In some markets, existing telecom operators are mandated by the government to provide universal services. Providing these services in remote areas is a challenge to these operators, and they sometimes outsource these services to rural telecom service providers. The exact nature of these outsourcing projects varies, but they are typically a "Build-Transfer" model or a "Build-Operate-Transfer" model. Cable & Wireless in Panama is Gilat’s first "Build-Operate-Transfer" customer.

Enterprise and Government Agencies:

We also provide private network services to selected enterprises and government agencies. These customers contract directly with Gilat Peru & Colombia for VSAT equipment and associated network services to be deployed at customer locations, typically for a contract term of three to five years. We also resell managed terrestrial connectivity equipment and services from facilities-based Local Exchange Carrier partners. One such customer is Banco de la Nacion in Peru.
 
Sales and Marketing
 
In Peru and Colombia, we use direct  and indirect sales channels to market our services. Our sales team of account managers and sales engineers are the primary account interfaces and work to establish account relationships and determine technical and business demands.

Spacenet Inc.
 
Overview

Spacenet provides managed network communications solutions that leverage satellite, wireline and wireless technologies.  Spacenet serves enterprise, government, industrial, SOHO, and residential customers primarily in the United States, but also in locations throughout North America. Spacenet provides three primary lines of service:  (i) custom commercial grade networks for large enterprise, industrial and government customers, (ii) Connexstar networks, which are standardized commercial grade satellite services, and StarBand satellite Internet services, which are typically geared toward small office and residential users.  Additionally, in 2009 we established  SIGS to address the growing market for government solutions and services in the United States.  In 2010, SIGS began managing the operations of the U.S. division of RAS following its acquisition.. 

 
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Spacenet's equipment and services are currently deployed at more than 110,000 business, government, industrial and residential locations in the United States. Our customers include Regis Corporation, Dollar General, Goodyear, Intercontinental Hotels Group, USPS/Verizon, Scientific Games, Intralot, GTECH, Boston Market, Centerpoint Energy, PG&E, Cumberland Farms, Sunoco and Valero.  The latest COMSYS report, published in 2009, ranked Spacenet as the second largest satellite network service provider in North America for the enterprise/government market, with a 24.5% market share at the time of the report. Our market includes WAN services for retail, energy, oil and gas, financial services, hospitality and government customers, as well as Internet access services for SOHO and residential customers.  Through its StarBand broadband-over-satellite service, Spacenet is offering broadband service to rural unserved markets in Alaska and Hawaii following a federal grant from the Rural Utility Service under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

We have increased our ability to serve the managed network services market in the United States.  Traditionally focused mainly on the enterprise VSAT market, since 2006, Spacenet has expanded its offerings to include emergency communication services over VSAT to the state, local and industrial markets, as well as combined satellite and terrestrial managed service products to the enterprise market.

Spacenet is based in McLean, Virginia, and has 223 employees. In the year ended December 31, 2010, Spacenet had revenues of $ 79.4 million.
 
Services

Spacenet offers custom and standardized, pre-packaged network services that are sold under the Spacenet, Connexstar and StarBand brand names. These service lines target a variety of markets and applications, as is illustrated in the diagram below:
 
 
Spacenet’s custom network services for large enterprise, industrial and government customers include the design, development, and management of satellite, wireline and wireless broadband network solutions. Spacenet can provide secure private networks specifically sized and tuned to a customer’s application, protocol support, QoS and bandwidth needs. These networks may be delivered as a “private hub” (each set of hub baseband equipment is used for only one customer) or “virtual private hub” (hub equipment is shared among multiple customers but is logically partitioned to provide private hub benefits at a lower cost). Custom network configurations also include hybrid terrestrial and satellite or wireless networks in which Spacenet provides management of both network components, integrating them as a single WAN.
 
 
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Spacenet’s standard Connexstar satellite services are optimized for popular customer applications, and are engineered to provide superior performance compared to other providers’ “one size fits all” solutions. Connexstar services are offered in full-time plans for primary network use or as on-demand services for emergency response and business continuity use.

These services are also available in fixed site or transportable configurations for on-the-go communications.  Many of Spacenet’s custom network and standard Connexstar services offer service level agreements, or SLAs, for network reliability, network management and reporting tools, professional program management and implementation assistance, and professional-grade installation and maintenance options.

Spacenet Integrated Government Solutions

SIGS was established in 2009 to address the growing market for government solutions and services. We have been expanding SIGS’ presence in the U.S. government market with the launch of targeted product offerings for new government customers in the U.S. Department of Defense and other federal agencies such as the Department of Homeland Security, FEMA and others In 2010, the U.S. division of RAS was integrated into SIGS.
 
SIGS’ initial government offerings are based on its ability to support critical first response satellite solutions. SIGS can point to Gilat’s and Spacenet’s proven track record with customized solutions for some of the most demanding communications requirements.  We effectively leverage our network customization capabilities to meet a variety of government network requirements helping it expand beyond the first responder market to other critical government networks. We believe that the establishment of SIGS will enable us to provide satellite solutions to additional government agencies that were not previously addressed by Spacenet, including the Department of Defense, and to develop long term strategies that assure customer needs are being met.
 
Network Operations and Customer Support

We operate teleport facilities with network operation centers, or NOCs, in Chicago, Illinois, and Marietta, Georgia. Our operations staff of more than 100 persons supervises network implementation and installation quality assurance, manages shared-hub and private-hub networks, provides first-level and escalated help desk/problem resolution, manages inventory and shipping, and dispatches field service/maintenance technicians. The Chicago NOC facility specializes in operation of high-availability networks for our largest enterprise and government customers. The Marietta NOC facility operates our managed network, Connexstar and StarBand services as well as first and second-level call centers. The McLean headquarters facility provides pilot and disaster recovery hub operations, fourth-tier network escalation and advanced network management and engineering services.

For many enterprise, industrial and government networks, we offer service level agreements providing guarantees on network uptime and availability as well as guaranteed network performance and issue resolution time. Spacenet's network management and operations features include diverse and scalable hub and satellite options, centralized network management center, extensive web-based tools for customers, dedicated program management and service automation.

Spacenet Sales and Marketing

We sell our enterprise, industrial and government services directly through a team of account executives as well as through a network of approximately 30 authorized enterprise, industrial and/or government service resellers, primarily telecom carriers, IT integrators and value-added resellers focused on specific industries.

 
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Our StarBand SOHO services are sold both directly and through approximately 200 sales agents, that are typically direct-to-home satellite TV resellers and/or satellite Internet service resellers. Our distribution channel strategy is shown below:
 

 
Wavestream

Overview

Wavestream, founded in 2001, designs and manufactures next generation solid-state power amplifiers for mission-critical defense and broadcast satellite communications systems. Wavestream’s innovative, patented Spatial Power Advantage™  technology provides higher output power, greater reliability and lower energy usage in more compact packages than traditional amplifier solutions. Wavestream’s proven family of products meet the growing demand for greater efficiency and significant lifecycle cost reductions for satellite communications systems worldwide. Since 2005, Wavestream has built and deployed over 6,000 SSPAs worldwide. We acquired Wavestream in November 2010.

Wavestream’s headquarters, research and development, engineering and manufacturing facilities  are located in San Dimas, California, with an executive office in San Diego, California and a design center in Singapore. Wavestream has 171 employees.
 
Wavestream Market and Customers

Wavestream addresses the following applications and/or markets:

 
·
Defense Communications - satellite, airborne, troposcatter and highly secure point-to-point.  This market is typically categorized by customers requiring high quality products – at times for mission critical communications in extreme environmental conditions. The satellite terminals (e.g., VSAT, SCPC) are usually provided to the defense agencies via system integrators, and not directly from the power amplifier suppliers.

 
·
Government - public safety, emergency response and disaster recovery.  Similar to the market for defense agencies, though usually less demanding in terms of environmental conditions, these terminals are provided to various local, state and federal agencies that need to manage emergency communications. The satellite terminals (e.g., VSAT, SCPC) are usually provided via system integrators or service providers and not directly from the power amplifier suppliers.
 
 
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·
Commercial terminals - A high power amplifier is used with high-end VSAT terminals for various applications where there is the requirement to transmit large amounts of data. Examples include Satellite News Gathering for video transmission, Remote Cellular Backhaul to connect remote cellular base-stations to the core network and Remote Operations (e.g., oil and gas platforms) where large amounts of data need to be transmitted, and no terrestrial alternative is available.

 
·
Commercial broadcast - Broadcast providers and teleport operators require high power amplifiers in order to transmit large carriers, such as for TV broadcast, multicast of video and high-speed IP connectivity.

Wavestream’s customers include General Dynamics, TCS and FEMA.

Wavestream Products

We believe that Wavestream has established market leadership with its compact, highly efficient SSPAs with a field-proven family of Ka, Ku, X and C-band products.  Wavestream’s products are designed and tested to meet strenuous requirements for temperature, shock and vibration, as well as over the full range of frequency and temperature.

The following figure describes the Wavestream products:
 
 
 
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Competition

The telecommunications industry operates in a competitive market. In the equipment market, we face competition from other VSAT manufacturers, such as HNS, ViaSat, iDirect and a few other smaller manufacturers.

Raysat Antenna Systems’s competitors include Cobham, ERA, Starling, Orbit and Thinkom. This market is nascent, and not as mature as the fixed VSAT or satellite services markets.

In Peru and Colombia, where we primarily operate public rural telecom services, we typically encounter competition on government subsidized bids from various service providers, system integrators and consortiums. Some of these competitors offer solutions based on VSAT technology and some on alternate technologies (typically cellular, wireless local loop or WiMAX). As operators that offer terrestrial or cellular networks expand their reach to certain Gilat Peru & Colombia regions, they compete with our VSAT solutions. Examples of such competitors are Telefonica Peru, Empresas Telefonicas de Bogota, Internet Por Colombia and SkyNet.

The U.S. enterprise VSAT market is primarily served by Spacenet and HNS.  In addition, more recently, Spacenet's primary competitors in the enterprise WAN market are large terrestrial carriers such as AT&T, Verizon and Qwest.

Wavestream’s competitors are Comtech (which acquired Xicom in 2008), CPI, Codan, GD Satcom and Paradise. A COMSYS report from 2009 estimated that Wavestream’s market share grew from being close to zero in 2006 to13% in 2009 and that it is the leading vendor of mid-powered Ka power amplifiers.

Geographic Distribution of our Business
 
The following table sets forth our revenues by geographic area for the periods indicated below as a percent of our total sales:
 
   
Years Ended December 31,
  
   
2010
    
2009
    
2008
  
United States
    35.8 %     37.1 %     39.9 %
South America and Central America
    36.2 %     39.1 %     27.5 %
Asia
    15.5 %     15.9 %     14.8 %
Africa
    7.0 %     4.9 %     13.3 %
Europe
    5.5 %     3.0 %     4.5 %
Total  
     100.0 %     100 %     100.0 %

Backlog
 
On December 31, 2010, our backlog for equipment sales and revenues from multi-year service contracts for our VSAT products was approximately $ 232 million, up from approximately $180 million at year-end 2009. Backlog does not include revenues from future traffic on our rural networks, future revenues from subscribers, from our consumer and enterprise operation and other cancelable agreements. Backlog is not necessarily indicative of future sales.  Many of our contracts can be terminated at the convenience of the customer.  In addition, some of our contracts may include product specifications that require us to complete additional product development.  Any inability to meet the specifications or complete the product development could lead to a termination of the related contract.
 
 
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C.           Organizational Structure
 
Significant Subsidiary
 
 
1. Spacenet Inc.
2. StarBand Communications Inc.
3. Gilat Satellite Networks (Holland) B.V.
4. Gilat Colombia S.A. E.S.P
5. Gilat to Home Peru S.A
6. Gilat do Brazil Ltda.
7. Gilat Satellite Networks (Mexico) S.A. de C.V.
8. Wavestream Corporation
9. Raysat Antenna Systems LLC
10.  Raysat Antenna Systems Ltd.
Country/State  
of Incorporation
 
Delaware
Delaware 
Netherlands  
Colombia
Peru
Brazil
Mexico
Delaware    
Delaware 
Israel    
 % ownership
 
 
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%

D.            Property, Plants and Equipment

Our headquarters are located in a modern office park which we own in Petah Tikva, Israel. This facility is comprised of approximately 380,000 square feet of office space, out of which approximately 234,300 square feet are currently used by us and approximately 145,700 square feet are subleased to third parties.

We have network operations centers in Marietta, Georgia and shared hub facilities in Chicago, Illinois, Peru and Colombia, from which we perform network services and customer support functions 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

We lease approximately 137,000 square feet of office space in McLean, Virginia. These offices house our personnel and also contain a stand by disaster recovery facility. In 2000 and 2002, we purchased and developed facilities on approximately 140,400 square feet of land in Backnang, Germany. Since May, 2002, these facilities are leased to a third party.  We own approximately 13,347 square feet of research and development and manufacturing facilities in Sofia, Bulgaria.  Wavestream currently occupies approximately 32,498 square feet of facilities for office space, research and development and manufacturing in San Dimas, California under a lease which will expire on November 30, 2011.  We are currently negotiating a lease for new facilities at another location in San Dimas to commence at the expiration of the current lease.  We also lease 24,111 square feet of manufacturing and office space in Rehovot, Israel, for Raysat Antenna Systems Israel Ltd., which we are planning to vacate in May 2011 when its operations will move to our property in Petah Tikva.

We also maintain facilities in Chicago, Illinois, Marietta, Georgia and in Brazil, Colombia, Mexico, Moldova, Singapore, San Diego and Peru, along with representative offices in Melbourne, Pretoria, Bangkok, New Delhi, Almaty, Jakarta, Moldova, and Moscow and small facilities in other locations throughout the world.

We believe our facilities to be adequate for our needs.

 
47
 
 
UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
 
There are no unresolved staff comments.
 
OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW AND PROSPECTS
 
A.           Operating Results
 
The following discussion of our results of operations should be read together with our audited consolidated financial statements and the related notes, which appear elsewhere in this annual report.  The following discussion contains forward-looking statements that reflect our current plans, estimates and beliefs and involve risks and uncertainties. Our actual results may differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include those discussed below and elsewhere in this annual report.
 
Introduction

We were incorporated in 1987 and began trading on the NASDAQ Stock Market in 1993. We are a leading global provider of IP based digital satellite communication and networking products and services. We design, produce and market VSATs and related VSAT network equipment. VSATs are earth-based terminals that transmit and receive broadband, Internet, voice, data and video via satellite. VSAT networks have significant advantages to wireline and wireless networks, as VSATs can provide highly reliable, cost effective, end-to-end communications regardless of the number of sites or their geographic locations.

We have a large installed customer base and have shipped more than 750,000 VSAT units to customers in over 85 countries on six continents since 1989. We have 22 offices worldwide and two call centers to support our customers. Our products are primarily sold to communication service providers and operators that use VSATs to serve enterprise, government and residential users. Also, in the United States and certain countries in Latin America, we provide services directly to end-users in various market segments.

 
48
 
 
We currently operate three complementary businesses which are comprised of four reportable segments:

 
·
Gilat Worldwide, which is comprised of two reportable segments:
 
 
o
Gilat International, a provider of VSAT-based networks and associated professional services, including turnkey and management services, to telecom operators worldwide. Since our acquisition of RAS, Gilat International is also a provider of low-profile antennas, used for Satcom-On-The-Move antenna solutions.

 
o
Gilat Peru & Colombia, a provider of telephony, Internet and data services primarily for rural communities in Peru and Colombia under projects that are subsidized by government entities;

 
·
Spacenet Inc., a provider of satellite network services to enterprises, government, small office/home office, or SOHOs, and residential customers in the United States;

 
·
Wavestream, a provider of high power SSPAs, BUCs with field-proven, high performance solutions designed for mobile and fixed SATCOM systems worldwide, primarily in the defense market.

In March 2010 and in April 2010 we entered into definitive agreements to acquire RAS, and RaySat BG, a Bulgarian research and development center.  During July and August 2010, we closed the acquisitions of both companies.  In addition, we acquired Wavestream on November 29, 2010.

Financial Statements in U.S. dollars

The currency of the primary economic environment in which most of our operations are conducted is the U.S. dollar and, therefore, we use the U.S. dollar as our functional and reporting currency. Transactions and balances originally denominated in U.S. dollars are presented at their original amounts. Gains and losses arising from non-U.S. dollar transactions and balances are included in the consolidated statements of operations. The financial statements of foreign subsidiaries, whose functional currency has been determined to be their local currency, have been translated into U.S. dollars. Assets and liabilities have been translated using the exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet date. Statements of operations amounts have been translated using the average rates, which approximate the prevailing exchange rate for each transaction. The resulting translation adjustments are reported as a component of shareholders' equity in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

The preparation of the financial information in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. On an ongoing basis, we evaluate our estimates, mainly related to account receivables, inventories, deferred charges, long-lived assets, revenues, stock based compensation relating to options and contingencies. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various assumptions, including assumptions of third parties that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates.

We believe the following critical accounting policies affect our more significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of the financial information included in this annual report.

Consolidation.  Our consolidated financial statements include the accounts of our company and those of our subsidiaries, in which we have a controlling voting interest, as well as entities consolidated under the variable interest entities or VIE provisions of ASC 810, "Consolidation" ("ASC 810") (formerly: Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") Interpretation No. 46(R), "Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities, an Interpretation of ARB No. 51" ("FIN 46")). Inter-company balances and transactions have been eliminated upon consolidation.

 
49
 
 
We apply the provisions of ASC 810, which provides a framework for identifying VIEs and determining when a company should include the assets, liabilities, non-controlling interests and results of activities of a VIE in our consolidated financial statements.

In general, a VIE is a corporation, partnership, limited-liability corporation, trust, or any other legal structure used to conduct activities or hold assets that either (i) has an insufficient amount of equity to carry out its principal activities without additional subordinated financial support, (ii) has a group of equity owners that is unable to make significant decisions about its activities, (iii) has a group of equity owners that does not have the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive returns generated by its operations or (iv) the voting rights of some investors are not proportional to their obligations to absorb the expected losses of the entity, their rights to receive the expected residual returns of the entity, or both, and substantially all of the entity’s activities (for example, providing financing or buying assets) either involve or are conducted on behalf of an investor that has disproportionately few voting rights.

ASC 810 requires a VIE to be consolidated by the party with an ownership, contractual or other financial interest in the VIE (a variable interest holder) that has both of the following characteristics: (a) the power to direct the activities of a VIE that most significantly impacts the VIE’s economic performance; (b) the obligation to absorb losses of the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE or the right to receive benefits from the VIE that could be potentially be significant to the VIE.

A variable interest holder that consolidates the VIE is called the primary beneficiary. Upon consolidation, the primary beneficiary generally must initially record all of the VIE's assets, liabilities and non-controlling interests at fair value and subsequently account for the VIE as if it were consolidated based on a majority voting interest. ASC 810 also requires disclosures about VIEs in which the variable interest holder is not required to consolidate but in which it has a significant variable interest.

Most of the activity of Gilat Colombia consists of operating subsidized projects for the government or the Compartel Projects. The Compartel projects were awarded to our Colombian subsidiaries in 1999 and 2002.

As required in the bid documents for the Compartel Projects, we established trusts, or the Trusts, and entered into a governing trust agreement for each project, or collectively, the Trust Agreements. The Trusts were established for the purpose of holding the network equipment, processing payments to subcontractors, and holding the funds received through the subsidy from the government until they are released in accordance with the terms of the subsidy and paid to us. The Trusts are a mechanism to allow the government to review amounts to be paid with the subsidy and to verify that such funds are used in accordance with the transaction document of the project and the terms of the subsidy. We generate revenues both from the subsidy, as well as from the use of the network that Gilat Colombia operates.

The Trusts are considered VIEs and we are identified as the primary beneficiary of the Trusts. As such, the Trusts were consolidated in our financial statements since their inception.

Under ASC 810, we perform ongoing reassessments of whether we are the primary beneficiary of a variable interest entity. As our assessment provides that we have the power to direct the activities of a VIE that most significantly impacts the VIE’s activities (we are responsible for establishing and operating the networks), the obligation to absorb losses of the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE and the right to receive benefits from the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE economic performance, we therefore concluded that we are the primary beneficiary of the Trusts. As such, the Trusts were consolidated in our financial statements since their inception.

As of December 2010 and 2009, the Trust's total assets, classified as "Restricted cash held by trustees" and total liabilities, classified as "Short-term advances from customers held by trustees" consolidated within the financial statements of the Company amounted to $ 1,004,000 and $ 2,137,000 respectively.

 
50
 
 
Revenues.  We generate revenues mainly from the sale of products and services for satellite-based communications networks. Sale of products includes mainly the sale of VSATs and hubs. Service revenues include access to and communication via satellites, or space segment, installation of network equipment, telephone services, internet services, consulting, on-line network monitoring, network maintenance and repair services. We sell our products primarily through our direct sales force and indirectly through resellers. Sales consummated by our sales force and sales to resellers are considered sales to end-users.

Revenues from product sales are recognized in accordance with SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin, or SAB No. 104, "Revenue Recognition", when delivery has occurred, persuasive evidence of an agreement exists, the vendor's fee is fixed or determinable, no further obligation exists and collectability is probable. When significant acceptance provision is included in the arrangement, revenues are deferred until the acceptance occurs. Generally, we do not grant rights of return. Service revenues are recognized ratably over the period of the contract or as services are performed, as applicable.

In accordance with ASC 605-25, "Revenue Recognition - Multiple-Element Arrangements" ("ASC 605-25") (formerly Emerging Issues Task Force, or EITF,  Issue No. 00-21, "Revenue Arrangements with Multiple Deliverables, or EITF 00-21, a multiple-element arrangement), an arrangement that involves the delivery or performance of multiple products, services and/or rights to use assets is separated into more than one unit of accounting, if the functionality of the delivered element(s) is not dependent on the undelivered element(s), there is vendor-specific objective evidence (VSOE) of fair value of the undelivered element(s), and delivery of the delivered element(s) represents the culmination of the earnings process for those element(s). If these criteria are not met, the revenue is deferred until such criteria are met or until the period in which the last undelivered element is delivered. If there is VSOE for all units of accounting in an arrangement, the arrangement consideration is allocated to the separate units of accounting based on each unit's relative VSOE.

Revenues from products under sales-type-lease contracts are recognized in accordance with ASC 840 "Leases" ("ASC 840") (formerly SFAS No. 13, "Accounting for Leases", or SFAS No. 13), upon installation or upon shipment, in cases where the customer obtains its own or other's installation services. The net investments in sales-type-leases are discounted at the interest rates implicit in the leases. The present values of payments due under sales-type-lease contracts are recorded as revenues at the time of shipment or installation, as appropriate. Future interest income is deferred and recognized over the related lease term as financial income.

Revenues from products and services under operating leases of equipment are recognized ratably over the lease period, in accordance with ASC 840.

Deferred revenue represent amounts received by the Company when the criteria for revenue recognition as described above are not met and are included in "Other current liabilities" and "Other long term liabilities". In general, when deferred revenue is recognized as revenue, the associated deferred costs are also recognized as cost of sales.

Cost of Revenues.  Cost of revenues, for both products and services, includes the cost of system design, equipment, satellite capacity, customer service, interconnection charges and third party maintenance and installation. Generally, for equipment contracts, cost of revenues is expensed as revenues are recognized. For network service contracts, cost of revenues is expensed as revenues are recognized over the term of the contract. For maintenance contracts, cost of revenues is expensed as the maintenance cost is incurred over the term of the contract. At each balance sheet date, we evaluate our inventory balance for excess quantities and obsolescence. This evaluation includes an analysis of sales levels by product and projections of future demand. In addition, we write-off inventories that are considered obsolete. Remaining inventory balances are adjusted to the lower of cost or market value. If future demand for our old or new products or market conditions is less favorable than our projections, inventory write-offs may be required and would be reflected in cost of revenues for such period.

 
51
 
 
Income Taxes. We account for uncertain tax position in accordance with ASC 740-10, "Income Taxes" ("ASC 740-10") , as amended by FASB Interpretation No. 48, "Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes, an Interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109" ("FIN 48"). ASC 740-10 clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in an enterprise’s financial statements in accordance with FAS 109. This interpretation prescribes a minimum recognition threshold that a tax position is required to meet before being recognized in the financial statements. FIN 48 also provides guidance on derecognition of tax positions, classification on the balance sheet, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure and transition. FIN 48 requires significant judgment in determining what constitutes an individual tax position as well as assessing the outcome of each tax position. Changes in judgment as to recognition or measurement of tax positions can materially affect the estimate of the effective tax rate and consequently, affect the operating results of our company.

Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts.  We are required to estimate our ability to collect our trade receivables. A considerable amount of judgment is required in assessing their ultimate realization. We provided allowance for our receivables relating to customers that were specifically identified by our management as having difficulties paying their respective receivables. If the financial condition of our customers deteriorates, resulting in their inability to make payments, additional allowances may be required. These estimates are based on historical bad debt experience and other known factors pertaining to these customers. If the historical data we used to determine these estimates does not properly reflect future realization, additional allowances may be required.

Inventory Valuation.  We are required to state our inventories at the lower of cost or market value. In assessing the ultimate realization of inventories, we are required to make judgments as to future demand requirements and compare that with the current or committed inventory levels.

Impairment of Intangible Assets and Long-Lived Assets.  We periodically evaluate our intangible assets and long-lived assets (mainly property and equipment) for potential impairment indicators. Our judgments regarding the existence of impairment indicators are based on legal factors, market conditions, operational performance and prospects of our acquired businesses and investments. Our long-lived assets are reviewed for impairment annually and whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of the assets to the future undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated by the assets. If such assets are considered to be impaired, the impairment to be recognized is measured by the amount by which the carrying amount of the assets exceeds the fair value of the assets. In measuring the recoverability of assets, we are required to make estimates and judgments in assessing our future cash flows which derive from the estimated useful life of our current primary assets, and compare that with the carrying amount of the assets. Additional significant estimates used by management in the methodologies used to assess the recoverability of our long-lived assets include estimates of future short-term and long-term growth rates, useful lives of assets, market acceptance of products and services, our success in winning bids and other judgmental assumptions, which are also affected by factors detailed in our risk factors section in this prospectus. If these estimates or the related assumptions change in the future, we may be required to record impairment charges for our long-lived assets.

Future events could cause us to conclude that impairment indicators exist and that additional intangible assets and long-lived assets associated with our acquired businesses and our long-lived assets are impaired. Any resulting impairment loss could have a material adverse impact on our financial condition and results of operations.

In accordance with the Compartel projects, the Colombian government transferred approximately $70 million to the Trust accounts. The money was released from the Trusts based on a schedule of payments and upon meeting certain operational milestones. As of December 31, 2008, approximately $51 million had been released from the Trusts to us and approximately $24 million was held in trust until certain operational milestones imposed by the Colombian government were met. In December 2008, after lengthy negotiations with the Colombia Ministry of Communications, we signed an addendum relating to the Compartel projects, modifying the operational milestones. The terms of the addendum  included the removal of thousands of telephony sites, which were determined to no longer be needed or used by the rural population in Colombia, the upgrade of technology, primarily in existing sites, entailing additional capital expenditure, the modification of the terms of the agreements and a release by each of the parties from all prior claims under the previous agreements. During 2009, the remainder of the $24 million was released from the Trusts following the successful implementation of the project and the meeting of the required indicators. In January 2010 and later in December 2010, the Ministry of Communications in Colombia extended and amended the agreements for the provision of services under the projects for years ending December 31, 2010 and 2011, respectively.

 
52
 
 
In accordance with the guidelines of ASC 360 (formerly FASB 144, “Accounting for the impairment or disposal of long lived assets”), we recorded an impairment of long lived assets and other charges with respect to the Compartel projects in Colombia of $5.0 million and $12.2 million in 2008 and 2007 respectively.

Goodwill. Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price in a business combination over the fair value of the net tangible and intangible assets acquired. Under ASC 350 (formerly SFAS No. 142), goodwill is not amortized, but rather is subject to an annual impairment test. ASC 350 requires goodwill to be tested for impairment at least annually or between annual tests in certain circumstances, and written down when impaired. Goodwill is tested for impairment by comparing the fair value of the reporting unit with its carrying value. Fair value is determined using discounted cash flows. Significant estimates used in the fair value methodologies include estimates of future cash flows, future growth rates and the weighted average cost of capital of the reporting units. We have elected to perform the annual impairment tests in the fourth quarter of the year and did not identify any impairment losses as of December 31, 2010.
 
Subsequent to December 31, 2010, we identified certain indicators that may affect the carrying value of goodwill and\or other intangibles assets attributed to Wavestream. Should those indicators continue, we will be required to perform an interim impairment analysis that may affect the carrying value of goodwill and other intangibles assets or the amortization period of those intangible assets. We may also be required to reassess the value attributed to our contingent consideration obligation in connection with the Wavestream acquisition agreement.
 
Legal and Other Contingencies.  We are currently involved in certain legal and other proceedings and are also aware of certain tax and other legal exposures relating to our business. We are required to assess the likelihood of any adverse judgments or outcomes of these proceedings or contingencies as well as potential ranges of probable losses. A determination of the amount of accruals required, if any, for these contingencies is made after careful analysis. The accounting treatment related to income taxes exposure or contingencies has been assessed and provided in accordance with ASC 740, "Income Taxes" ("ASC 740") (formerly: SFAS No. 109, "Accounting for Income Taxes" and  ASC 740-10 (formally FASB issued Interpretation No. 48, "Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes" )).  ASC 740-10 clarifies the accounting for income taxes, by prescribing the minimum recognition threshold that a tax position is required to meet before recognized in the financial statements. ASC 740-10 utilizes a two-step approach for evaluating tax positions. Recognition (step one) occurs when an enterprise concludes that a tax position, based solely on its technical merits, is more-likely-than-not to be sustained upon examination. Measurement (step two) is only addressed if step one has been satisfied (i.e., the position is more-likely-than-not to be sustained), otherwise, a full liability in respect of a tax position not meeting the more-than-likely-than-not criteria is recognized.

Liabilities related to legal proceedings, demands and claims are recorded in accordance with the ASC 450, "Contingencies" ("ASC 450") (formerly: SFAS No. 5 "Accounting for Contingencies), which defines a contingency as "an existing condition, situation, or set of circumstances involving uncertainty as to possible gain or loss to an enterprise that will ultimately be resolved when one or more future events occur or fail to occur." In accordance with ASC 450, accruals for exposures or contingencies are being provided when the expected outcome is probable and when the amount of loss can be reasonably estimated. It is possible, however, that future results of operations for any particular quarter or annual period could be materially affected by changes in our assumptions, the actual outcome of such proceedings or as a result of the effectiveness of our strategies related to these proceedings.

Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation.  On January 1, 2006, we adopted the provisions of Standard ASC 718, "Compensation-Stock Compensation" ("ASC 718") (formerly: SFAR 123(R), "Share-Based Payment"), which requires us to measure all employee stock-based compensation awards using a fair value method and recognize such expense in our consolidated financial statements. We adopted ASC 718 using the modified prospective transition method, which requires the application of the accounting standard starting from January 1, 2006. We estimate the fair value of stock options granted using the Black-Scholes option pricing model, and the fair value of Restricted Share Units or RSU,  based on the market stock price on the date of grant. Prior to the adoption of ASC 718, we accounted for equity-based awards to employees and directors using the intrinsic value method in accordance with APB No. 25, "Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees" ("APB 25") as allowed under SFAS 123. Non-cash share-based compensation of $1.7 million was recorded in 2010. As of December 31, 2010, we had $5.7 million of total unrecognized compensation costs related to non-vested share-based awards granted under our stock option plans. That cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.6 years.

 
53
 
 
Year Ended December 31, 2010 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2009
 
Revenues. Revenues for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009 for our four reportable segments were as follows:

   
Year Ended
          
Year Ended
  
   
December 31,
          
December 31,
  
   
2010
    
2009
    
Percentage
    
2010
    
2009
  
   
U.S. dollars in thousands
    
change
    
Percentage of revenues
  
                               
Gilat Worldwide
                              
Gilat International
                              
 Equipment
     115,024       85,730       34.16 %     49.37 %     37.59 %
 Services
     15,763       23,986       (34.26 %)     6.77 %     10.52 %
      130,787       109,716       19.21 %     56.14 %     48.11 %
Gilat Peru & Colombia
                                        
 Equipment
     69       109       (36.70 %)     0.03 %     0.05 %
 Services
     35,793       46,567       (23.14 %)     15.36 %     20.42 %
      35,862       46,676       (23.17 %)     15.39 %     20.47 %
Spacenet
                                        
 Equipment
     18,185       17,438       4.28 %     7.80 %     7.65 %
 Services
     61,174       66,099       (7.45 %)     26.26 %     28.98 %
      79,359       83,537       (5.00 %)     34.06 %     36.63 %
                                         
Wavestream
                                        
 Equipment
     4,041                       1.73 %        
      4,041                       1.73 %        
Intercompany Adjustments
                                        
 Equipment
     17,064       11,870       43.76 %     7.32 %     5.20 %
      17,064       11,870       43.76 %     7.32 %     5.20 %
Total
                                        
 Equipment
     120,255       91,407       31.55 %     51.61 %     40.08 %
 Services
     112,730       136,652       (17.50 %)     48.39 %     59.92 %
Total
     232,985       228,059       2.16 %     100.00 %     100.00 %
 
 
54
 
 
Revenues in 2010 increased by approximately $5 million compared to 2009, representing an increase of 2.16%.
 
Gilat International revenues increased by approximately $21 million, through both organic growth and acquisitions. The increase was derived mainly from an increase of approximately $6 million in Latin America, approximately $5.7 million in Europe, and approximately $5 million in Africa, which increases were offset by a decrease of approximately $0.9 in North America. In addition, intercompany sales, included in the international revenues, increased by approximately $5.2 million, mainly from sales to Spacenet to support the deployment of the networks in the gaming sector.

The increased 2009 revenues in Peru and Colombia as compared to 2010 is attributable to Colombia. During 2009, most of our revenues in Colombia derived from the release of approximately $24 million from a trust related to the execution the agreements with the Ministry of Communications. At the end of 2009, the Colombian Ministry of Communications extended those agreements for an additional one year, for a consideration of approximately $12 million resulting in lower revenues as compared to 2009.

Wavestream revenues represent only one month of operations as the acquisition was closed on November 29, 2010.

Revenues in 2010 were derived approximately 52% from equipment and 48% from services. In 2009, our revenues were derived approximately 40% from equipment and 60% from services. The decrease in the services portion of our revenues in 2010 is mainly attributable to the lower portion of revenues derived from our operations in Colombia and in Spacenet.

Gross profit. The gross profit of our four reportable segments for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009 was as follows:

   
Year Ended
    
Year Ended
  
   
December 31,
    
December 31,
  
   
2010
    
2009
    
2010
    
2009
  
   
U.S. dollars in thousands
    
Percentage of revenues per segment
  
                         
Gilat Worldwide
                        
Gilat International
                        
 Equipment
     53,815       31,715       46.79 %     36.99 %
 Services
     2,264       12,446       14.36 %     51.89 %
      56,079       44,161       42.88 %     40.25 %
Gilat Peru & Colombia
                                
 Equipment
     (17 )     31       (24.64 )%     28.44 %
 Services
     8,598       14,141       24.02 %     30.37 %
      8,581       14,172       23.93 %     30.36 %
Spacenet
                                
 Equipment
     3,725       3,696       20.48 %     21.20 %
 Services
     10,708       9,109       17.50 %     13.78 %
      14,433       12,805       18.19 %     15.33 %
                                 
Wavestream
                                
 Equipment
     653               16.16 %        
      653               16.16 %        
                                 
Intercompany Adjustments
     (108 )     707       (0.63 )%     5.96 %
Total Gross Profit
     79,854       70,431       34.27 %     30.88 %
 
 
55
 
 
Our gross profit margin increased to 34.27% in the year ended December 31, 2010, from 30.88% in 2009.  The increase in our gross margin is primarily attributable to Gilat International, which was partially offset by a decrease in gross profit from Colombia. The gross profit in international sales increased due to the increase in our equipment revenues which typically carry higher gross margins than our services business.

 In addition, our gross margin is affected by the regions in which we operate and the type of deals we consummate. During 2010, a higher portion of revenues were derived from regions that carry higher margins such as Eastern Europe, Africa and Latin America. The decrease in the gross margin for Peru and Colombia is primarily due to the lower level of revenues in Colombia while maintaining a similar level of fixed expenses there, compared to the previous year.

Gross margin for Wavestream represents only one month of operation and cannot be used as an indication for the level of their gross margin on a yearly basis. In addition, amortization expenses of approximately $1.2 million are included in Wavestream’s cost of sales. These amortization expenses relate mainly to the purchase price allocation in respect of technology and inventory. In general, Wavestream’s business is equipment based; and its gross margin on an annual basis, excluding the above amortization expenses, is expected to be similar to the margins in the Gilat International equipment business.

Our gross profit is affected year-to-year by the mix between equipment and services, the regions in which we operate, the size of our deals and the timing in which transactions are consummated. As such, we are subject to fluctuation in our business profits, which can lead to year-to-year fluctuations

When reported by segments, the results of Spacenet, Peru and Colombia are presented based on intercompany transfer prices. The intercompany adjustments line reflects the intercompany profits that were realized in order to adjust the transfer price to our cost.

Research and Development Expenses:

   
Year Ended
          
Year Ended
  
   
December 31,
          
December 31,
  
   
2010
    
2009
    
Percentage
    
2010
    
2009
  
   
U.S. dollars in thousands
    
Change
    
Percentage of revenues per segment
  
                               
Gilat International
                              
Expenses incurred
     21,638       16,281       32.90 %     16.54 %     14.84 %
Less - grants
     3,249       2,311       40.59 %     (2.48 )%     (2.11 )%
Total
     18,389       13,970       31.63 %     14.06 %     12.73 %
Wavestream -Expenses incurred
     556                       13.76 %        
Total , net
     18,945       13,970       35.61 %     14.05 %     12.73 %

 
56
 
 
Net research and development expenses increased by approximately $5 million in the year ended December 31, 2010, compared to the year ended December 31, 2009. This increase is in line with our strategy and efforts to develop new products for new markets and to augment the capabilities of our current products and due to the consolidation of the operations of RAS and Wavestream for a portion of the year. We expect that our gross research and development expenses will increase gradually throughout 2011, reflecting the full effect of the consolidation of Wavestream and RAS and our continuing efforts to enhance our current products and the development of new ones. The increase in our gross research and development expenses in 2010 was partially offset by a higher level of research and development grants of approximately $0.9 million due to the initiation of a new project.

Selling and marketing expenses. The selling and marketing expenses of our four reportable segments for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009 were as follows:
 
   
Year Ended
          
Year Ended
  
   
December 31,
          
December 31,
  
   
2010
    
2009
    
Percentage
    
2010
    
2009
  
   
U.S. dollars in thousands
    
change
    
Percentage of revenues per segment
  
Gilat Worldwide:
                              
Gilat International
     21,800       20,971       3.95 %     16.67 %     19.11 %
Gilat Peru & Colombia
     1,273       586       117.24 %     3.55 %     1.26 %
Spacenet
     9,949       7,581       31.24 %     12.54 %     9.07 %
Wavestream
     374                       9.23 %        
Total
     33,396       29,138       14.61 %     14.33 %     12.78 %

Selling and marketing expenses increased by approximately $4.3 million in the year ended December 31, 2010, compared to the year ended December 31, 2009. This increase is primarily attributable to the higher level of sales incentives paid to our sales force related to higher bookings achieved during 2010 as compared to 2009. In addition, during 2010 we increased our headcount and expenses to support our strategy of entering into new markets and strengthening our position in existing ones.

General and administrative expenses.  The general and administrative expenses of our four reportable segments for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009 were as follows:
 
   
Year Ended
          
Year Ended
  
   
December 31,
          
December 31,
  
   
2010
    
2009
    
Percentage
    
2010
    
2009
  
   
U.S. dollars in thousands
    
change
    
Percentage of revenues per segment
  
Gilat Worldwide:
                              
Gilat International
     12,220       11,590       5.44 %     9.34 %     10.56 %
Gilat Peru & Colombia
     4,262       5,794       (26.44 )%     11.88 %     12.41 %
Spacenet
     12,854       10,603       21.23 %     16.20 %     12.69 %
Wavestream
     508                       12.60 %        
Total
     29, 844       27,987       6.64 %     12.81 %     12.27 %
 
General and administrative expenses increased by approximately $1.9 million in 2010 as compared to 2009. In Gilat International, the increase is primarily attributable to the partial consolidation of RAS during the second half of 2010 and to higher stock based compensation expenses of approximately $0.5 million. In Spacenet, the increase is primarily attributable to the operations of SIGS, which began its operations at the end of 2009.

 
57
 
 
Costs related to acquisition transactions. In 2010, we completed the acquisitions of RAS and Wavestream for approximately $154 million, net of cash received. We recorded approximately $3.8 million in direct expenses related to these acquisitions. Such amount includes investment banker’s fees, legal and other professional expenses.

Financial expenses, net.  In the year ended December 31, 2010, we had financial expenses of approximately $0.6 million compared to financial income of approximately $1.0 million in 2009. The decrease of $1.6 million is mainly derived from significantly lower interest rates as well as the significant reduction in our total cash balance due to the acquisitions made during 2010.

Other Income. During 2010, we recorded $37.4 million in other income. This amount is comprised of: (i) the sale of our ownership interest in a company in which we invested in the past, and which investment had been previously written-off, for approximately $24.3 million, and (ii) approximately $13 million of proceeds to be received pursuant to a settlement agreement with a consortium of private equity investors in connection with the termination of the 2008 Merger Agreement. The total settlement agreement amounted to approximately $20 million. We recorded $13 million as other income, reflecting the portion we received in cash or secured by bank guarantees; the remainder is due in equal annual payments through 2013.

Taxes on income.  Taxes on income are dependent upon where our profits  are generated, such as the location and taxation of our subsidiaries. Taxes on income in 2010 were approximately $11 thousand compared to approximately $0.9 million in 2009. The decrease in taxes during 2010 was mainly attributable to: (i) income taxes derived from a tax refund in one of our subsidiaries in respect of previous years, (ii) deferred tax income we recorded due to temporary differences related to the amortization of intangible assets of Wavestream as part of the acquisition purchase price allocation; and (iii) the reversal of a tax provision due to the expiration of the statute of limitations. These income taxes were offset by tax expenses derived from our activities in Latin America.

Year Ended December 31, 2009 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2008
 
In the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, we operated under three reportable segments which comprised of Gilat International, Gilat Peru & Colombia and Spacenet.
 
Revenues. Revenues for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008 for our three reportable segments were as follows:

   
Year Ended
          
Year Ended
  
   
December 31,
          
December 31,
  
   
2009
    
2008
    
Percentage
    
2009
    
2008
  
   
U.S. dollars in thousands
    
change
    
Percentage of revenues
  
                               
Gilat Worldwide:
                              
Gilat International
                              
 Equipment
     85,730       136,500       (37.19 )%     37.59 %     51.02 %
 Services
     23,986       25,420       (5.64 )%     10.52 %     9.50 %
      109,716       161,920       (32.24 )%     48.11 %     60.52 %
Gilat Peru & Colombia
                                        
 Equipment
     109       169       (35.50 )%     0.05 %     0.06 %
 Services
     46,567       24,373       91.06 %     20.42 %     9.11 %
      46,676       24,542       90.19 %     20.47 %     9.17 %
Spacenet
                                        
 Equipment
     17,438       38,950       (55.23 )%     7.65 %     14.56 %
 Services
     66,099       67,410       (1.94 )%     28.98 %     25.20 %
      83,537       106,360       (21.46 )%     36.63 %     39.76 %
                                         
Intercompany Adjustments
                                        
 Equipment
     11,870       25,268       (53.02 )%     5.20 %     9.45 %
 Services
             28       (100.00 )%     0.00 %     0.01 %
      11,870       25,296       (53.08 )%     5.20 %     11.09 %
Total
                                        
 Equipment
     91,407       150,351       (39.20 )%     40.08 %     56.20 %
 Services
     136,652       117,175       16.62 %     59.92 %     43.80 %
Total
     228,059       267,526       (14.75 )%     100.00 %     100.00 %

 
58
 
 
Revenues in 2009 decreased by approximately $39 million compared to 2008, representing a decrease of 14.75%. The decrease in our revenues was attributed mainly to the global economic conditions and the recession in the United States during 2009, specifically during the first half of 2009, leading to conservative spending in the telecom sector and postponement or reduction of capital expenditures.

International revenues decreased by approximately $52.2 million, reflecting a decrease in revenues derived from sales to third parties of approximately $38.8 million, and approximately $13.4 million of intercompany revenues derived from sales to Spacenet. The decrease in Gilat International revenues is primarily  attributable to an approximately $24.3 million decrease in sales to the Africa region and to a decrease of approximately $5.3 million in sales to Eastern Europe.

Spacenet revenues decreased by approximately $22.8 million. The reduction is attributable to tight market conditions in the United States together with the difficult economic environment. The decrease is primarily due to a decline in sales of network equipment and connectivity services to customers that provide technology services in the gaming sector, of approximately $10.2 million as compared to 2008, and from a decline of sales in the consumer sector, which decreased by approximately $4.7 million as compared to 2008.

The decrease in revenues both in Gilat International and Spacenet was slightly offset by increased revenues of approximately $22.1 million from our Colombia operation. This increase in revenues was primarily due to the release of approximately $ 24 million of restricted cash from a Trust in Colombia. The total revenues derived from the released of the restricted cash were slightly offset by a reduction in traffic revenues.

Revenues in 2009 were derived approximately 40% from equipment and 60% from services. In 2008, our revenues were derived approximately 56% from equipment and 44% from services. The increase in the service portion of our revenues in 2009 is mainly attributable to the higher portion of revenues derived from our operations in Colombia together with the decrease of Gilat International revenues, which are typically from the sale of equipment.

 
59
 
 
Gross profit. The gross profit for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008 for our three reportable segments was as follows:

   
Year Ended
    
Year Ended
  
   
December 31,
    
December 31,
  
   
2009
    
2008
    
2009
    
2008
  
   
U.S. dollars in thousands
    
Percentage of revenues per segment
  
                         
Gilat Worldwide:
                        
Gilat International
                        
          Equipment
     31,715       58,547       36.99 %     42.90 %
 Services
     12,446       8,354       51.89 %     32.90 %
      44,161       66,901       40.25 %     41.30 %
                                 
Gilat Peru & Colombia
     31       43       28.44 %     25.30 %
       Equipment
     14,141       (2,992 )     30.37 %     (12.30 )%
       Services
     14,172       (2,949 )     30.36 %     12.00 %
                                 
Spacenet
                                
         Equipment
     3,696       11,704       21.20 %     30.00 %
         Services
     9,109       8,952       13.78 %     13.30 %
      12,805       20,656       15.33 %     19.40 %
Intercompany Adjustments
     707       1,344       5.96 %     5.30 %
Total Gross Profit
     70,431       85,952       30.88 %     32.10 %

Our gross profit margin decreased to 30.88% in the year ended December 31, 2009 from 32.10% in the year ended December 31, 2008.  The decrease in the gross profit was due to a decrease in the Company’s revenues, mainly in Gilat International and Spacenet. In general, Gilat International’s revenues carry higher margins compared to Spacenet and Gilat Peru & Colombia. The decrease in Gilat International’s gross profit is due to its lower level of revenues together with the decrease in the Gilat International portion of the total revenues of our other segments. The decrease in Spacenet’s gross profit was primarily due to the decrease in revenues, while maintaining a similar level of fixed expenses compared to the previous year.

The decrease in our gross profits was offset in part by the increase from Gilat Colombia operations, which carried higher gross margins primarily as a result of the release of the restricted cash and the related revenues, which carried a low level of incremental expense resulting in higher margins. During 2009, we took certain cost cutting measures, which included reduction in salary levels and in head count, mainly in Gilat International. Those cost cutting measures slightly offset the reduction in Gilat International’s gross margins. Our gross profit is affected year-to-year by the mix between equipment and services, the regions in which we operate the size of our deals and the timing in which transactions are consummated. As such, we are subject to lumpiness in our business profits, which can lead to year-to-year fluctuations

When reported by segment, the results of Spacenet and Gilat Peru & Colombia are presented based on intercompany transfer prices. The intercompany adjustments line reflects the intercompany profits that were realized in order to adjust the transfer price to our cost.

 
60
 
 
Research and Development Expenses:

   
Year Ended
          
Year Ended
  
   
December 31,
          
December 31,
  
   
2009
    
2008
    
Percentage
    
2009
    
2008
  
   
U.S. dollars in thousands
    
change
    
Percentage of revenues per segment
  
                               
Gilat International
                              
Expenses incurred
     16,281       18,702       (12.95 )%     14.84 %     11.55 %
Less - grants
     2,311       1,760       31.31 %     (2.11 )%     (1.09 )%
Total Gilat International
     13,970       16,942       (17.54 )%     12.73 %     10.46 %

Net research and development expenses decreased by approximately $3 million in the year ended December 31, 2009, compared to the year ended December 31, 2008. This decrease is in line with the cost cutting measures we took during 2009, which included reduction in salary levels and head count. Net research and development expenses also decreased by approximately $0.6 million due to the increase in grants.

Selling and marketing expenses. The selling and marketing expenses of our three reportable segments for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008 were as follows:
 
   
Year Ended
          
Year Ended
  
   
December 31,
          
December 31,
  
   
2009
    
2008
    
Percentage
    
2009
    
2008
  
   
U.S. dollars in thousands
    
change
    
Percentage of revenues per segment
  
Gilat International
     20,971       25,741       (18.53 )%     19.11 %     15.90 %
Spacenet
     7,581       9,309       (18.56 )%     9.07 %     8.80 %
Gilat Peru & Colombia
     586       733       (20 )%     1.26 %     3.00 %
Total
     29,138       35,783       (18.57 )%     12.78 %     13.40 %
 
Selling and marketing expenses decreased by approximately $6.6 million in the year ended December 31, 2009, compared to the year ended December 31, 2008. This decrease is primarily attributable to a reduction in sales related expenses, specifically $3.2 million related to reduced sales commissions, as a result of the reduction in revenues. An additional decrease of approximately $2.4 million is related to the cost cutting measures taken during 2009, which included a reduction in salary levels and headcount.

         General and administrative expenses.  The general and administrative expenses of our three reportable segments for the year ended December 31, 2009 and 2008 were as follows:

   
Year Ended
          
Year Ended
  
   
December 31,
          
December 31,
  
   
2009
    
2008
    
Percentage
    
2009
    
2008
  
   
U.S. dollars in thousands
    
change
    
Percentage of revenues per segment
  
Gilat International
     11,590       14,712       (21.22 )%     10.56 %     9.09 %
Spacenet
     10,603       8,939       18.62 %     12.69 %     8.40 %
Gilat Peru & Colombia
     5,794       6,168       (6.06 )%     12.41 %     25.13 %
Total
     27,987       29,819       (6.14 )%     12.27 %     11.15 %

 
61
 

General and administrative expenses decreased by approximately $1.8 million in 2009 compared to 2008. The decrease is primarily attributable to cost cutting measures taken during 2009 of approximately $2.3 million, which included reductions in salary levels and headcount and a decrease of approximately $1.4 million in rent and maintenance expenses, mainly due to increased income derived from the rental of a portion of our facilities in Petah Tikva.  The decrease in expenses during 2009 was partially offset by an increased bad debt provision of approximately $1.8 million.

Financial income, net.  In the year ended December 31, 2009, we had financial income of approximately $1.0 million, compared to financial income of approximately $1.3 million in 2008. The decrease in our financial income is mainly attributable to the decrease in income derived from interest on held-to-maturity marketable securities and short term deposits and from exchange differences between local currency and the U.S. dollar in the countries where some of our subsidiaries are located.

Other Income.  During the year ended December 31, 2009, we sold our remaining ownership interest in a company in which we invested in the past and which investment had been previously written-off. Our proceeds from this sale were approximately $2.6 million.

Taxes on income.  Taxes on income are dependent upon where our profits  are generated, such as the location and taxation of our subsidiaries. Taxes on income in 2009 were approximately $0.9 million compared to approximately $1.4 million in 2008. The slight decrease in taxes during 2009 was not due to any particular change in policy or event.

Variability of Quarterly Operating Results

Our revenues and profitability may vary from quarter to quarter and in any given year, depending primarily on the sales mix of our family of products and the mix of the various components of the products (i.e. the volume of sales of remote terminals versus hub equipment), sale prices, and production costs, as well as on entering into new service contracts, the termination of existing service contracts, or different profitability levels between different service contracts. Sales of our products to a customer typically consist of numerous remote terminals and related hub equipment, which carry varying sales prices and margins.

Annual and quarterly fluctuations in our results of operations may be caused by the timing and composition of orders by our customers and the timing of our ability to recognize revenues. Our future results may also be affected by a number of factors, including our ability to continue to develop, introduce and deliver new and enhanced products on a timely basis and expand into new product offerings at competitive prices, to integrate our recent acquisitions, to anticipate effectively customer demands and to manage future inventory levels in line with anticipated demand. Our results may also be affected by currency exchange rate fluctuations and economic conditions in the geographical areas in which we operate. In addition, our revenues may vary significantly from quarter to quarter as a result of, among other factors, the timing of new product announcements and releases by our competitors and us. We cannot be certain that revenues, gross profit and net income (or loss) in any particular quarter will not vary from the preceding or comparable quarters. Our expense levels are based, in part, on expectations as to future revenues. If revenues are below expectations, operating results are likely to be adversely affected. In addition, a substantial portion of our expenses are fixed (i.e. space segment, lease payments), and adjusting the expenses in cases where revenues drop unexpectedly often takes considerable time. As a result, we believe that period-to-period comparisons of our results of operations are not necessarily meaningful and should not be relied upon as indications of future performance. Due to all of the foregoing factors, it is possible that in some future quarters our revenues or operating results will be below the expectations of public market analysts or investors. In such event, the market price of our shares would likely be materially adversely affected.

Our business historically has not been affected by seasonal variations.

Conditions in Israel
 
We are incorporated under the laws of the State of Israel, where we also maintain our headquarters and most of our research and development and manufacturing facilities.  See Item 3.D. “Key Information – Risk Factors – Risks Relating to Our Location in Israel” for a description of governmental, economic, fiscal, monetary or political polices or factors that have materially affected or could materially affect our operations.
 
 
62
 
 
Impact of Inflation and Currency Fluctuations
 
While most of our sales and service contracts are in U.S. dollars and most of our expenses are in U.S. dollars and NIS, portions of our projects in Latin America are linked to their respective local currencies. The foreign exchange risks are often significant due to fluctuations in local currencies relative to the U.S. dollar.

The influence on the U.S. dollar cost of our operations in Israel relates primarily to the cost of salaries in Israel, which are paid in NIS and constitute a substantial portion of our expenses in NIS. In 2010, the rate of inflation in Israel was 2.7% and the U.S. dollar depreciated in relation to the NIS at a rate of 6%, from NIS 3.775 per $1 on December 31, 2009 to NIS 3.549 per $1 on December 31, 2010. In the period ended December 31, 2009 inflation in Israel was 3.9% while the U.S. dollar depreciated in relation to the NIS at a rate of 0.7%. If future inflation in Israel exceeds the devaluation of the NIS against the U.S. dollar or if the timing of such devaluation lags behind increases in inflation in Israel, our results of operations may be materially adversely affected. In 2009 and 2010, in order to limit these risks, we entered into hedging agreements to cover certain of our NIS to US dollar exchange rate exposures.

Regarding the changes in the value of other foreign currencies in relation to the U.S. dollar, our monetary balances that are not linked to the U.S. dollar impacted our financial expenses during 2010 and 2009. This is due to heavy fluctuations in currencies in certain regions of Latin America in which we do business. There can be no assurance that in the future our results of operations may not be materially adversely affected by other currency fluctuations.

Effective Corporate Tax Rate

On January 1, 2003, a comprehensive tax reform took effect in Israel. Pursuant to the tax reform, resident companies are subject to Israeli tax on income accrued or derived in Israel or abroad. In addition, the concept of a "controlled foreign corporation" was introduced, according to which an Israeli company may become subject to Israeli taxes on certain income of a non-Israeli subsidiary if the subsidiary's primary source of income is passive income (such as interest, dividends, royalties, rental income or capital gains). The tax reform also substantially changed the system of taxation of capital gains. Following the reform, the capital gains tax rate applicable to us was decreased from 36% to 25%, while the allocation of the gain between the two periods is proportional to the holding periods until December 31, 2002, and after December 31, 2002. In 2008 and in 2009, this tax reform did not have any material effect on our liquidity, financial condition or results of operations.

Israeli companies are subject to income tax on their worldwide income.  Pursuant to tax reform legislation that came into effect in 2003, the corporate tax rate was subject to staged reductions to 25% by the year 2010.   In July 2009, Israel's Parliament (the Knesset) passed the Economic Efficiency Law (Amended Legislation for Implementing the Economic Plan for 2009 and 2010), 2009, which prescribes, among other things, an additional gradual reduction in the Israeli corporate tax rate and real capital gains tax rate starting from 2011 to the following tax rates: 2011 - 24%, 2012 - 23%, 2013 - 22%, 2014 - 21%, 2015 - 20%, 2016 and thereafter - 18%. However, the effective tax rate payable by a company that derives income from an Approved Enterprise or Benefited Enterprise, discussed further below, may be considerably less.

                On April 1, 2005, an amendment to the Investment Law came into effect which significantly changed the provisions of the Investment Law. The Amendment limits the scope of enterprises, which may be approved by the Investment Center by setting criteria for the approval of a facility, such as provisions generally requiring that at least 25% of the approved enterprise's income will be derived from export. A facility that is approved under the Amendment is called a "Benefited Enterprise." Additionally, the Amendment enacted major changes in the manner in which tax benefits are awarded under the Investment Law, so that companies no longer require Investment Center approval in order to qualify for tax benefits. However, the Investment Law provides that terms and benefits included in any certificate of approval already granted will remain subject to the provisions of the law as in effect on the date of such approval. Therefore, our existing Approved Enterprises or Benefited Enterprises will not be subject to the provisions of the Amendment.

 
63
 
 
                According to the Amendment, tax-exempt income generated under the provisions of the Amendment will be subject to taxes upon distribution or liquidation and we may be required in the future to record deferred tax liabilities with respect to such tax-exempt income. As of December 31, 2010, we did not generate income under the provisions of the Amendment.

                Currently, we have nine Approved Enterprise programs under the alternative route of the Investment Law. The period of benefits for all of these programs has expired. See "Item 10:  Additional Information - Israeli Taxation." In addition, our company chose 2005 as the year of election for a new Benefited Enterprise under the amendment.

                We expect to derive a substantial portion of our operating income, when we become profitable for Israeli tax purposes from future Benefited Enterprise facilities. We may therefore be eligible for a tax exemption for a limited period on undistributed Benefited Enterprise income, and an additional subsequent period of reduced corporate tax rates ranging between 10% and 25%, (rather than the regular corporate tax rate which is 25% in 2010 and gradually scheduled to be reduced to 18% in 2016), depending on the level of foreign ownership of our shares, on undistributed such Benefited Enterprise income. Income from sources other than the "Approved Enterprises" or “Benefited Enterprises” "during the relevant period of benefits will be taxable at the regular corporate tax rates.
 
In January 2011, new legislation that constitutes a major amendment to the Investment Law was enacted (the "Amendment Legislation"). Under the Amendment Legislation, a uniform rate of corporate tax will apply to all qualified income of certain Industrial Companies, as opposed to the current law's incentives that are limited to income from Approved Enterprises during their benefits period. According to the Amendment Legislation, the uniform tax rate will be 10% in areas in Israel that will be designated as Development Zone A and 15% elsewhere in Israel during 2011-2012, 7% and 12.5%, respectively, in 2013-2014,  and 6% and 12%, respectively, thereafter. Certain "Special Industrial Companies" that meet certain criteria will enjoy further reduced tax rates of 5% in Zone A and 8% elsewhere. The profits of these Industrial Companies will be freely distributable as dividends, subject to a 15% withholding tax (or lower, under an applicable tax treaty). We are not located in a Development Zone A area.

Under the transitory provisions of the Amendment Legislation, a company may elect whether to irrevocably implement the new law in its Israeli company, while waiving benefits provided under the current law, or rather to keep implementing the current law during the next years. Changing from the current law to the new law is permissible at any stage. We are examining the possible effect of the Amendment Legislation on its results.

                We anticipate that we will not have to pay taxes relating to the 2010 tax year for most of our major entities due to current or carry forward tax losses. Cash outlays for income taxes in the future might be different from tax expenses, mainly due to cash tax payments for previous years that might be triggered by tax audits in the various tax jurisdictions, deferred tax expenses (income) and payments usually made in arrears for annual taxes in profitable years.

Impact of Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

In January 2010, the FASB updated the "Fair Value Measurements Disclosures" codified in ASC 820. More specifically, this update requires an entity to disclose separately: (a) the amounts of significant transfers in and out of Levels 1 and 2 fair value measurements and to describe the reasons for the transfers; and (b) information about purchases, sales, issuances and settlements to be presented separately (i.e. present the activity on a gross basis rather than net) in the reconciliation for fair value measurements using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3 inputs). This update clarifies existing disclosure requirements for the level of disaggregation used for classes of assets and liabilities measured at fair value, and requires disclosures about the valuation techniques and inputs used to measure fair value for both recurring and nonrecurring fair value measurements using Level 2 and Level 3 inputs. As applicable to the Company, this update became effective as of the first quarter ended December 31, 2010, except for the gross presentation of the Level 3 roll forward information, which is required for annual reporting as of December 31, 2010. The adoption of the new guidance did not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

 
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In June 2009, the FASB issued an update to ASC 810, "Consolidation", which, among other things (i) requires ongoing reassessments of whether an entity is the primary beneficiary of a variable interest entity, and eliminates the quantitative approach previously required for determining the primary beneficiary of a variable interest entity; (ii) amends certain guidance for determining whether an entity is a variable interest entity; and (iii) requires enhanced disclosure that will provide users of financial statements with more transparent information about an entity's involvement in a variable interest entity. The update is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after November 15, 2009. The adoption of the new guidance did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In October 2009, the FASB issued ASU 2009-13, Multiple-Deliverable Revenue Arrangements, (amendments to FASB ASC Topic 605, Revenue Recognition) (“ASU 2009-13”) and ASU 2009-14, Certain Arrangements That Include Software Elements, (amendments to FASB ASC Topic 985, Software) (“ASU 2009-14”). ASU 2009-13 requires entities to allocate revenue in an arrangement using estimated selling prices of the delivered goods and services based on a selling price hierarchy. The amendments eliminate the residual method of revenue allocation and require revenue to be allocated using the relative selling price method. ASU 2009-14 removes tangible products from the scope of software revenue guidance and provides guidance on determining whether software deliverables in an arrangement that includes a tangible product are covered by the scope of the software revenue guidance. ASU 2009-13 and ASU 2009-14 should be applied on a prospective basis for revenue arrangements entered into or materially modified in fiscal years beginning on or after June 15, 2010, with early adoption permitted. We are currently assessing the impact of these amendments to the ASC on our accounting and reporting systems and processes.
 
In February 2010, the FASB issued ASU 2010-09 - amendments to certain recognition and disclosure requirements of Subsequent Events codified in ASC 855. This update removes the requirement to disclose the date through which subsequent events were evaluated in both originally issued and reissued financial statements for "SEC Filers." An entity that is a conduit bond obligor (as defined) should evaluate subsequent events through the date that the financial statements are issued, and it should disclose the date through which subsequent events were evaluated. All other entities are required to evaluate subsequent events through the date that the financial statements are available to be issued and also must disclose that date. Other than SEC Filers, all entities are required to disclose the date that financial statements are reissued only if they have been revised for an error correction or retrospective application of GAAP. The adoption of the new guidance did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
 
In December 2010, the EITF issued ASU 2010-28, When to Perform Step 2 of the Goodwill Impairment Test for Reporting Units with Zero or Negative Carrying Amounts codified in ASC 350, "Intangibles - Goodwill and Other". Under ASC 350, testing for goodwill impairment is a two-step test, in which Step 1 compares the fair value of the reporting unit to its carrying amount. If the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying value, Step 2 is completed to measure the amount of impairment, if any. This ASU modifies Step 1 of the goodwill impairment test for reporting units with zero or negative carrying amounts. For those reporting units, an entity is required to perform Step 2 if it appears more likely than not that a goodwill impairment exists.

In determining whether it is more likely than not that a goodwill impairment exists, an entity would consider whether there are any adverse qualitative factors indicating that an impairment may exist (e.g., a significant adverse change in the business climate). The adoption of the new guidance did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.


 
 
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In December 2010, the EITF issued ASU 2010-29, Disclosure of Supplementary Pro Forma Information for Business Combinations codified in ASC 805, "Business Combinations". This ASU responds to diversity in practice about the interpretation of the pro forma disclosure requirements for business combinations. When a public entity’s business combinations are material on an individual or aggregate basis, the notes to its financial statements must provide pro forma revenue and earnings of the combined entity as if the acquisition date(s) had occurred as of the beginning of the annual reporting period. The ASU clarifies that if comparative financial statements are presented, the pro forma disclosures for both periods presented (the year in which the acquisition occurred and the prior year) should be reported as if the acquisition had occurred as of the beginning of the comparable prior annual reporting period only and not as if it had occurred at the beginning of the current annual reporting period. The ASU also expands the supplemental pro forma disclosure requirements to include a description of the nature and amount of any material non-recurring adjustments that are directly attributable to the business combination. The disclosure requirement of ASU 2010-29 is reflected in the note regarding Pro Forma Information regarding the acquisition of RAS and Wavestream. See also Note 1 to our consolidated financial statements.

B.            Liquidity and Capital Resources
 
Since our inception, our financing requirements have been met through cash from funds generated by private equity investments, public offerings, issuances of convertible subordinate notes, bank loans, operations, as well as funding from research and development grants. In addition, we also finance our operations through available credit facilities as discussed below. We have used available funds primarily for working capital, capital expenditures and strategic investments.
 
As of December 31, 2010, we had cash and cash equivalents of $ 57.2 million, short-term and long-term restricted cash of $ 8.4 million, short-term restricted cash held in trustees' accounts of $ 1.0 million and short term bank credit of $2.1 million.  As of December 31, 2009, we had cash and cash equivalents of $122.7 million, short term bank deposits of $31.7 million, short-term and long-term restricted cash of $6.7 million and short-term restricted cash held in trustees' accounts of $2.1 million.
 
We believe that our working capital is sufficient for our present requirements.
 
As of December 31, 2010, our accumulated debt was approximately $61.7 million, comprised of long-term loans of $ 45.2 million, convertible subordinate notes of approximately $14.4 million and current maturities of long-term loans and convertible notes of $ 2.1 million.
 
The long term loans are primarily compromised of a loan we received in December 2010 in the amount of $40 million from First International Bank of Israel. Under the provisions of that loan, we undertook to satisfy two material covenants: free cash of $15 million and a net debt to EBITDA ratio of 3.5. We believe that as of December 31, 2010 we are in compliance with these two covenants.
 
Our credit agreements contain various restrictions and limitations that may impact us, including pledges on our assets and property. These restrictions and limitations relate to incurrence of indebtedness, contingent obligations, liens, mergers and acquisitions, asset sales, dividends and distributions, redemption or repurchase of equity interests, certain debt payments and modifications of loans and investments.
 
The following table summarizes our cash flows for the periods presented:
 
   
Years ended December 31,
   
2010
    
2009
    
2008
   
  US Dollars
in thousands
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
     12,920       (206 )     (19,620 )
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
     (108,208 )     59,189       (25,507 )
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
     29,845       (11,009 )     (2,168 )
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
     9       782       (1,596 )
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
     (65,434 )     48,756       (48,891 )
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period
     122,672       73,916       122,807  
Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period
     57,238       122,672       73,916  
 
 
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Our cash and cash equivalents decreased by approximately $65.4 million during the year ended December 31, 2010 as a result of the following:
 
Operating activities. Cash provided by operating activities was approximately $12.9 million in 2010 compared to cash used in operating activities of approximately $0.2 million in 2009. The improvement in our operating cash flow during 2010 is mainly attributable to other income of approximately $13 million, out of which $11 million received in cash, derived from our settlement agreement with a consortium of private equity investors in connection with the termination of the 2008 Merger Agreement.

Investing activities. Cash used in investing activities was approximately $108.2 million, mainly attributable to our acquisition of both RAS and Wavestream, for a total amount of approximately $154 million, net of cash received. This amount was offset by $24.3 million derived from the sale of our ownership interest in a company in which we invested in the past, and which investment had been previously written-off, and from net proceeds of-held-to-maturity marketable securities and short term deposits of approximately $32 million.
 
Financing activities. Cash provided by financing activities was approximately $29.8 million, primarily from the proceeds of a long term bank loan of $40 million repayable over 10 years with a fixed interest rate of 4.77%, offset by repayment of a long term loan and convertible notes and short term bank credit of $10.2 million.
 
Our cash and cash equivalents increased by approximately $49 million during the year ended December 31, 2009 as a result of the following:
 
Operating activities. Cash used in operating activities was approximately $0.2 million compared to $19.6 million in 2008. The improvement in our operating cash flow during 2009 is mainly attributable to ongoing efforts to manage our working capital by focusing on improving payment terms and collection from customers, as well as utilization of existing inventory on the one hand, while maintaining an efficient budget and expense control on the other hand.
 
Our days sales outstanding, or DSO, at the end of 2009, was 73 days compared to 81 days at the end of 2008, reflecting a decrease in our account receivables balance of approximately $14.3 million. In addition, our other assets and inventory decreased by approximately $6.5 million and $9 million respectively. These decreases were entirely offset by a decrease in an account payable of approximately $6.9 million, a decrease in accrued expenses of approximately $6 million, a decrease in an advance from customers held by trustees of approximately $22 million, and a decrease in other account payables and other long term liabilities of approximately $9.9 million.
 
Investing activities.  Cash provided in investing activities was approximately $59.2 million, mainly attributable to net proceeds from held to maturity marketable securities and short term deposits of approximately $32.5 million, net proceeds from the release of restricted cash held by trustees of approximately $21.8 million and proceeds from other restricted cash of approximately $7.7 million. In addition, we generated an additional $2.6 million from the sale of an investment accounted for at cost. All of the above was offset by the purchase of approximately $4.5 million of property and equipment. Purchase of property and equipment in 2009 decreased by approximately $9.8 million compared to 2008, due to reduced purchases which resulted from lower revenues derived from network installations.
 
Financing activities.  Cash used in financing activities was approximately $11 million, primarily from the repayment of a long term loan of $4.3 million and a short term bank credit of $6.5 million.
 
 
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C.            Research and Development
 
We devote significant resources to research and development projects designed to enhance our VSAT, Satcom-On-The-Move antennas and SSPA products, to expand the applications for which they can be used and to develop new products. We intend to continue to devote research and development resources to complete development of certain features, to improve functionality, including supporting higher throughput, to improve space segment utilization, and to reduce the cost of our products.
 
Following the acquisition of RAS and Wavestream, our research and development activities have expanded to include facilities in Bulgaria and San Dimas, California.  The Bulgarian center is dedicated to developments related to our Satcom-On-The-Move antennas and Wavestream’s facilities are focused on the continuing design and development for SSPAs.
 
We devoted significant research and development resources in 2010, 2009 and 2008 to the development of our SkyEdge family of products. We develop our own network software and software for our VSATs. Our resources in 2010 were also used for the newly acquired family of products from Raysat and Wavestream.
 
We generally license our software and third party software to customers as an incidental part of the sale of our network products and services.
 
Our software and our internally developed hardware are proprietary and we have implemented protective measures both of a legal and practical nature. We have obtained and registered patents in the United States and in various other countries in which we offer our products and services. We rely upon the copyright laws to protect against unauthorized copying of the object code of our software and upon copyright and trade secret laws for the protection of the source code of our software. We derive additional protection for our software by licensing only the object code to customers and keeping the source code confidential. In addition, we enter into confidentiality agreements with our customers and other business partners to protect our software technology and trade secrets. We have also made copyright, trademark and service mark registrations in the United States and abroad for additional protection of our intellectual property. Despite all of these measures, it is possible that competitors could copy certain aspects of our technology or obtain information that we regard as a trade secret in violation of our legal rights.
 
In accordance with an agreement entered in 2001 with the Chief Scientist, we are eligible to participate in a program under which we can receive future research and development grants for generic research and development projects in Israel without any royalty repayment obligations.
 
The following table sets forth, for the years indicated, our gross research and development expenditures, the portion of such expenditures which was funded by non-royalty bearing grants and the net cost of our research and development activities:
 
   
Years ended December 31,
  
   
2010
    
2009
    
2008
  
   
(U.S. dollars in thousands)
  
Gross research and development costs
     22,194       16,281       18,702  
Less:
                        
Non-royalty-bearing grants
     3,249       2,311       1,760  
                         
Research and development costs - net.
     18,945       13,970       16,942  

 
D.
Trend Information
 
The satellite communications industry is moving toward Ka technology, to employ multi-beam transmission for more efficient use of space segment.  We believe that development of products using this technology will be an important competitive factor in the VSAT market.  We are continuing our efforts to enhance our current products and develop new ones to support the advantages of this technology.

 
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In the past few years the satellite communications market has experienced increasing competition both from within its sector and from competing communication technologies. Specifically, the expansion of cellular coverage in rural areas worldwide, increased terrestrial infrastructures as well as the advancement of wireless technologies, increases the options for our potential and existing customers. In addition, the number of satellite communications providers in the market has increased and prices of technologies continue to decline. Another development in our industry is the increasing demand for complete solutions which encompass far more than a single platform of a communications solution.

We estimate that the political environment in Israel could continue to prevent certain countries from doing business with us and this, in addition to the increased competition and reduced prices in the telecommunications industry overall, may have adverse effects on our business. Given all of the above, we cannot guarantee or predict what our sales will be, what trends will develop, and if any changes in our business and marketing strategy will be implemented.

E.            Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

At times, we guarantee the performance of our work to some of our customers, primarily government entities. Guarantees are often required for our performance during the installation and operational periods of long-term rural telephony projects such as in Latin America, and for the performance of other projects (government and corporate) throughout the rest of the world. The guarantees typically expire when certain operational milestones are met. In addition, from time to time, we provide corporate guarantees to guarantee the performance of our subsidiaries. No guarantees have ever been exercised against us.

As of December 31, 2010, the aggregate amount of bank guarantees outstanding to secure our various performance obligations was approximately $ 6.1 million, including an aggregate of approximately $ 2.1 million on behalf of our subsidiary in Peru. We have restricted cash of approximately $0.8 million as collateral for these guarantees.

In order to guarantee our performance obligations for our Colombian activities, we purchased insurance from a local insurance company in Colombia. We have provided the insurance company with various corporate guarantees, guaranteeing our performance and our employee salary and benefit costs in excess of approximately $ 36.8 million and $ 7.9 million, respectively.

In addition, we have provided bank guarantees of approximately $ 4.9 million for certain office leases world-wide and have restricted cash of approximately $ 4.6 million as collateral for these guarantees.

We also provided approximately $1 million of other guarantees of as of December 31, 2010 and have restricted cash of approximately $ 0.5 million as collateral for these guarantees.

F.            Tabular Disclosure of Contractual Obligations

The following table summarizes our minimum contractual obligations as of December 31, 2010 and the effect we expect them to have on our liquidity and cash flow in future periods:
 
Contractual Obligations
  
Payments due by period (in U.S dollars in thousands)
  
 
  
Total
    
2011
       2012-2013       2014-2015    
2016 and after
  
Short term bank credit
     2,129       2,129       -       -       -  
Long-term loans *
     46,548       1,346       9,193       9,070       26,939  
Convertible subordinated notes
     15,219       840       14,379       -       -  
Accrued interest related to restructured debt (including $600 thousands of short term accrued expenses)
     1,175       600       575       -       -  
Capital lease obligations
     1,747       970       777       -       -  
Operating lease
     111,141       28,569       43,775       30,156       8,641  
Purchase obligations
     18,881       18,881       -       -       -  
Other long-term debt
     4,049       250       500       3,299       -  
Total contractual cash obligations
     200,889       53,585       69,199       42,525       35,580  

(*) Future interest payments are not included due to variability in interest rates
 
 
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A.            Directors and Senior Management

           The following table sets forth the name, age, position(s) and a brief account of the business experience of each of the directors and executive officers:
 
Name
 
Age
  
Position(s)
Amiram Levinberg
  
55
  
Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer
Jaron Lotan
  
53
  
Chief Operating Officer
Andreas Georghiou
  
61
  
Chief Executive Officer, Spacenet Inc.
Clifton L. Cooke, Jr.
  
63
  
President and Chief Executive Officer, Wavestream
Ari Krashin 
  
38
  
Chief Financial Officer
Haim Benyamini(1)(2)(3)
  
71
  
External Director
Jeremy Blank
  
32
  
Director
Gilead Halevy
  
44
  
Director
Ehud Ganani(3)
  
58
  
Director
Leora Meridor(1)(2)(3)
  
63
  
External Director
Karen Sarid(1)(2)(3)
  
60
  
Director
Izhak Tamir(1)
  
58
  
Director
 
(1) 
Member of our Audit Committee.

(2) 
Member of Compensation and Stock Option Committee.

(3) 
Member of Nominating Committee.

Amiram Levinberg co-founded our company and served as a member of our board of directors since our inception and until April 2004. Since July 18, 2005, Mr. Levinberg has served as our Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer. From July 1995 and until April 15, 2003, he served as our President.  Until 2002, Mr. Levinberg also served as our Chief Operations Officer. From 1987 and until July 1995, Mr. Levinberg served as our Vice President of Engineering.  From 1977 to 1987, Mr. Levinberg served in a research and development unit of the Israel Defense Forces, where he managed a large research and development project. Mr. Levinberg was awarded the Israel Defense Award in 1988.Mr. Levinberg also serves on the board of directors of Orckit Communications Ltd., a company traded on the NASDAQ Global Market, Cardboard Industries and Kargal, a cardboard manufacturer in Israel.  Mr. Levinberg holds a B.Sc. degree in Electrical Engineering and Electronics and a M.Sc. degree in Digital Communications, both from the Technion - Israel Institute of Technology in Haifa.
 
 
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Jaron Lotan joined Gilat as Chief Operating Officer in April 2010. Mr. Lotan served as the Chairman of Magink Display Technologies Ltd. between 2006 and 2009 and has served as a director since 2009. Mr Lotan served as the Chairman of Negevtech between 2007 and 2008 and has served as the Chairman of Radview (OTC:RDVWF) since 2006. Mr. Lotan was the President and Chief Executive Officer of Tecnomatix Technologies Ltd. (NASDAQ: TCNO) from 2002 and until the sale of Tecnomatix to UGS Corp. in 2005. From 1992 until 2002 Mr. Lotan held various positions at Orbotech Ltd., a leading supplier of AOI and other productivity solutions for the electronics industry. Mr. Lotan's last position with Orbotech was Corporate Executive Vice President for Business and Strategy. Prior to joining Orbotech Ltd., (1984 – 1992)  Mr. Lotan co-founded and was Corporate VP Sales & Marketing and General Manager of North America for Rosh Intelligent Systems Inc., a software company offering knowledge based solutions to customer support organizations. Mr. Lotan holds a B.A. in Economics and Mathematics and an M.A. in Economics, both from the Hebrew University in Jerusalem.

Andreas Georghiou has served as the Chief Executive Officer of Spacenet Inc. since August 2006.  Prior to joining Spacenet, Mr. Georghiou had been with SES Americom and its predecessor, GE Americom, a unit of GE Capital, for over 20 years in various leadership roles.  Immediately prior to joining our company, Mr. Georghiou served as Chief Commercial Officer at SES Americom and prior to that and through July 2005, he served as the Senior Vice President of Business Operations. From 2003 through July 2006, Mr. Georghiou also served as President of Americom Asia Pacific, a regional satellite venture of SES.  From 1994 to 2003, Mr. Georghiou served as the Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Global Satellite Services at GE Americom.  From 1992 to 1994, Mr. Georghiou served as Americom’s Director of Business Development.  While at GE Americom, Mr. Georghiou also served as an officer of GE Capital.  In addition, Mr. Georghiou held various positions at RCA Corporation including IT Manager, Director of Treasury Planning and Manager of Operations Research, at the David Sarnoff Research Center.  Mr. Georghiou is a member of the board of directors of Society of Satellite Professionals International (SSPI) and has served as a member of the Corporate Leadership Advisory Council of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.  Mr. Georghiou holds B.Sc degree from the University of Pennsylvania, and a Masters of Science degree from the Wharton School, where he studied as a Fulbright Scholar.
 
Clifton L. Cooke, Jr. has served as the President and Chief Executive Officer of Wavestream since January 1, 2009. Mr. Cooke served as Executive Vice President of Kratos Defense and Security Solutions Inc. from June through December of 2008. Prior to its merger with Kratos, Mr. Cooke was President and CEO of SYS Technologies Inc. from June 2003 through June 2008. SYS was a provider of information connectivity solutions that capture, analyze and present real-time information to the Department of Defense (DoD), Department of Homeland Security, other government agencies and large industrial companies. Mr. Cooke also served on the Board of Directors of SYS during that period. Previously, Mr. Cooke was founder and CEO of VisiCom Laboratories Inc., which provided embedded real-time products and services to industry and government customers. Following VisiCom’s acquisition by Titan Corporation, Mr. Cooke served as Executive Vice President. Prior to starting VisiCom in 1988, Mr. Cooke was founder and CEO of Advanced Digital Systems Inc., which provided engineering services for DoD satellite programs. Mr. Cooke received his bachelor’s degree in Applied Physics and Information Science from the University of California, San Diego in 1971.

Ari Krashin has served as our Chief Financial Officer since June 2008.  Mr. Krashin joined our company in April 2000 and served in various positions in our company since then. He has also served as the Chief Financial Officer of Spacenet since August 2010. From 2005 to June 2008 Mr. Krashin served as our Financial Director.  Before joining our company and from 1999, Mr. Krashin served as a chartered public accountant for Kesselman & Kesselman, PriceWaterhouseCooper’s Israel office. Mr. Krashin is a chartered public accountant and holds a B.A. degree in Business Administration and Accounting from the College of Management.
 
Haim Benyamini has served on our board of directors as an external director (within the meaning of the Israeli Companies Law) since February 2005. Mr. Benyamini currently also serves on the board of directors of Orbotech Ltd. (NASDAQ: ORBK). Mr. Benyamini served as an advisor to the chief executive officer, board and management of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd.,or Teva, from January 2005 until January 2009. Mr. Benyamini served as the Corporate Vice President of Human Resources of Teva from 1988 until December 31, 2004. From 1982 to 1988, Mr. Benyamini served as the Corporate Vice President of Human Resources at Scitex Corporation. Mr. Benyamini served as a guest lecturer at Tel Aviv University from 1997 to 2003 as part of the Masters of Arts program in Labor Studies. Mr. Benyamini holds a M.A. degree in Organizational Behavior from the University of Chicago and a B.A degree in Social Sciences, Sociology and Political Science from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Mr. Benyamini is a Brigadier General (Ret) in the Israel Defense Forces and served in various command staff and training roles from 1957 until 1982.

 
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Jeremy Blank has served on our board of directors since July 2005. Mr. Blank is a partner and senior managing director within York Capital Management (“York”).  York is a private investment fund based in New York with approximately $16 billion in assets under management.  York was founded in 1991 and specializes in value oriented and event driven equity and credit investments.  In addition, Mr. Blank worked as a vice president within Morgan Stanley’s fixed income department and earlier in his career in Morgan Stanley’s mergers and acquisitions department.  Mr. Blank graduated from Yeshiva University in New York City with a Bachelor’s degree in Finance.  Mr. Blank has served on our board since July, 2005.

Gilead Halevy has served on our board of directors since January 2011. Mr. Halevy is a founding member and general partner of KCPS Private Equity, a leading Israeli private equity fund associated with KCPS & Company (2007) Ltd.  Mr. Halevy is a member of the fund's investment committee.  Prior to establishing KCPS Private Equity in January 2006, Mr. Halevy was a Director at Giza Venture Capital from April 2001 to January 2006, where he led investments in communications and information technology companies, and directed Giza's European business activities. Previously, from 1998 to 2001, Mr. Halevy practiced law at White & Case LLP, where he advised in connection with mergers and acquisitions in the Telecom Media and Technology group. Mr. Halevy was also a founding member of the White & Case Israel practice group during that time. From 1993 to 1998, he was a senior associate with Zellermayer & Pelossof, one of Israel's leading commercial law firms, where he advised in connection with public securities, cross-border mergers and acquisitions and private equity transactions. Mr. Halevy currently serves as Chairman at Brand Industries Ltd. (TASE: BRND), Vice Chairman of the Marina Galil Group and a Director at FIS Software Solutions Ltd.  Mr. Halevy holds an LL.B. (magna cum laude) and B.A. in Humanities (interdisciplinary course for exceptional students), both from the Hebrew University.
 
Dr. Ehud Ganani has served on our board of directors since July 2005. Since 2008, Dr. Ganani serves as the chief executive officer and president of Rabintex Industries Ltd. (TASE:RBNT). Rabintex,  based in Israel and in Detroit, Michigan, deals with personal protection gear and army vehicles modifications.   Dr. Ganani was Chairman of the board of TraceGuard Technologies Inc. (OTCBB:TCGD), a company involved in explosive detection equipment for airports and other security facilities. He served as the chief executive officer of TraceGuard between 2006 and 2008. He was the chairman of the board of Bird Aerosystems Ltd., a private company that develops and supplies anti-missile protection systems for helicopters and fixed wing military and civilian aircrafts, between 2007 and 2010. He has been the chairman of the public committee for Aerospace & Defense & HLS in the Israeli Export Institute. He served as the Chief Executive Officer of Israel Military Industries from 2002-2005. Prior to that, he served in various senior positions in Rafael Armament Development Authority, the last of which was as Vice President of Marketing and Business Development from 1997-2002. Dr. Ganani headed the rocket motors development group in Rafael between 1986 to 2001. He also served as a visiting professor of Chemical Engineering at UC Davis, CA (1984-1985). Dr. Ganani holds a Doctorate of Science in chemical engineering from Washington University, St. Louis, MO (1984) and a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from the Technion – Israel Institute of Technology in Haifa, Israel (1973).
 
Dr. Leora (Rubin) Meridor has served on our board of directors as an external director (within the meaning of the Israeli Companies Law) since August 2005.  Dr. Meridor is a business and financial consultant and serves on the board of directors of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., Osem Investment Ltd. and Alrov (Israel) Ltd.  Between 2001 and 2004, Dr. Meridor served as chair of the board of directors of Poalim Capital Markets Ltd. and between 2001 and 2005, as chair of the boards of directors of Bezeq International Ltd. and Walla! Communications Ltd.  Between 1996 and 2000, Dr. Meridor served as Senior Vice President, Head of Credit and Risk Management Division of the First International Bank. From 1992 to 1996, Dr. Meridor served as Head of Research at the Bank of Israel. Dr. Meridor has a Ph.D in Economics, an M.Sc degree in Mathematics and B.Sc. degree in Mathematics and Physics, all from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Dr. Meridor studies include a post doctoral year at Massachusetts Institute of Technology

 
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Karen Sarid has served on our board of directors since July, 2005. Ms. Sarid served from May 2009 until recently as the President and General Manager of Syneron Medical Ltd., a leading aesthetic device company.  Immediately prior to May 2009, Ms. Sarid served as the chief operating officer and chief financial officer of Galil Medical Ltd. and as the general manager of Galil Israel.  Galil Medical is a medical device company that develops a cryotherapy platform. Ms. Sarid has served as a General Manager of Orex Computed Radiography Ltd., a Kodak Company focusing on advanced radiography systems for the digital x-ray market since September 2000. From September 1999 until September 2000, Ms. Sarid served as Chief Financial Officer and a member of the Board of Directors of Forsoft Ltd., a software solutions provider and a subsidiary of the Formula Group. From 1996 until August 1999, Ms. Sarid was Chief Financial Officer and a member of the Board of Directors of ESC Medical Systems Ltd., a medical laser manufacturer that is traded on the NASDAQ Stock Market. She was Chief Financial Officer of LanOptics Ltd., now known as EZchip Semiconductor Limited  (NASDAQ:  EZCH) from 1993 through 1996. Ms. Sarid currently serves as a director of EZchip. Ms Sarid also serves as a director of Oridion Ltd (SWXNM: ORIDN). Ms. Sarid received a B.A. in Economics and Accounting from Haifa University, and was awarded the CFO of the Year award in 1998 by the Association of Chief Financial Officers in Israel.

           Izhak Tamir has served on our board of directors since July, 2005. Mr. Tamir, a co-founder of Orckit, has been President and a Director of Orckit since its founding in 1990. He currently serves as Chairman of the Board of Orckit. Mr. Tamir served as a Director of Scopus Video Networks from 2005 until 2007. From 1987 until 1989, Mr. Tamir was employed by Comstream Inc. in San Diego, California.  From 1985 until 1987, he was vice president of A.T. Communication Channels Ltd., a subsidiary of Bezeq - The Israel Telecommunication Corporation Ltd.  From 1978 to 1985, he was a senior engineer in the Israeli Government.  Mr. Tamir holds an engineering degree from the Technion – Israel Institute of Technology and an M.B.A. from Tel Aviv University. Mr. Tamir has been chairman of the board of directors of Tikcro Technologies Ltd. since January 2000 and its chief executive officer from August 2003 until December 2007.

 
B.            Compensation of Directors and Officers

           The following table sets forth the aggregate compensation paid to or accrued on behalf of all of our directors and officers as a group for the year ended December 31, 2010:

   
Salaries, Fees, Directors' Fees,
Commissions and Bonuses(1)
    
Pension, Retirement and
Similar Benefits
  
All directors and officers as a group (24 persons) (2)
   $ 3,837,779     $ 719,674  
 
 
(1)
Also includes bonuses and stock option compensation accrued in 2010.
 
(2)
Includes 3 officers that ceased to hold officer positions during 2010.
 
In accordance with the approval of our shareholders, directors who are not employees (excluding the current chairman of our Board) are entitled to receive annual compensation of NIS 80,000 (currently equivalent to approximately $22,000), and an additional NIS 1,600 (currently equivalent to approximately $450) for each board or committee meeting attended, provided that the board member is a member of such committee.  In addition, board members are compensated for telephone participation in board and committee meetings in an amount of 60% of what would be received for physical attendance. All the above amounts are subject to adjustment for changes in the Israeli consumer price index after December 2007 and changes in the amounts payable pursuant to Israeli law from time to time.

 
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Each of our current directors was granted options to purchase 20,000 ordinary shares upon commencement of his or her term as director and at an exercise price equal to the fair market value of the shares on the date of the grant.  In addition, at our December 30, 2008 annual general meeting, our shareholders approved a one-time grant to each director then in office of options to purchase 50,000 shares, which vest ratably, each quarter, over a three-year period.  The exercise price of the options is $4.00 per share.

As of December 31, 2010, our directors and executive officers as a group, consisting of 21 persons, held options to purchase an aggregate of 1,843,200 ordinary shares, having exercise prices ranging from $4.00 to $79.00.  Generally, the options vest over a three-year period.  The options will expire between 2011 and 2017.  In addition, as of December 31, 2010, our directors and executive officers as a group (21 persons), held 379,938 RSUs and received 190,062 ordinary shares through vested RSUs.  All of such options and RSUs were awarded under our Plans. See Item 6E. “Directors, Senior Management and Employees - Share Ownership - Stock Option Plans.”
 
C.            Board Practices

Election of Directors

Our Articles of Association provide that our board of directors shall consist of not less than five and not more than nine directors as shall be determined from time to time by a majority vote at the general meeting of our shareholders. Unless resolved otherwise by our shareholders, our board of directors will be comprised of (i) nine directors, if four directors are appointed by beneficial owners of 14% or more of our issued and outstanding ordinary shares (as set forth below), or (ii) seven directors, if fewer than four directors are so appointed by beneficial owners of 14% or more of our ordinary shares.

Pursuant to our Articles of Association, each beneficial owner of 14% or more of our issued and outstanding ordinary shares is entitled to appoint, at each annual general meeting of our shareholders, one member to our board of directors, provided that a total of not more than four directors are so appointed. In the event that more than four qualifying beneficial owners notify us that they desire to appoint a member to our board of directors, only the four shareholders beneficially owning the greatest number of shares shall each be entitled to appoint a member to our board of directors.  So long as our ordinary shares are listed for trading on NASDAQ, we may require that any such appointed director qualify as an “independent director” as provided for in the NASDAQ rules then in effect.  Our board of directors has the right to remove any such appointed director when the beneficial ownership of the shareholder who appointed such director falls below 14% of our ordinary shares.

Our Articles of Association provide that a majority of the voting power at the annual general meeting of our shareholders will elect the remaining members of the board of directors, including external directors as required under the Companies Law. At any annual general meeting at which directors are appointed pursuant to the preceding paragraph, the calculation of the vote of any beneficial owner who appointed a director pursuant to the preceding paragraph shall not take into consideration, for the purpose of electing the remaining directors, ordinary shares constituting 14% of our issued and outstanding ordinary shares held by such appointing beneficial owner.
 
Each of our directors (except external directors) serve, subject to early resignation or vacation of office in certain circumstances as set forth in our Articles of Association, until the adjournment of the next annual general meeting of our shareholders next following the general meeting in which such director was elected. The holders of a majority of the voting power represented at a general meeting of our shareholders in person or by proxy will be entitled to (i) remove any director(s), other than external directors and directors appointed by beneficial holders of 14% or more of our issued and outstanding ordinary shares as set forth above, (ii) elect directors instead of directors so removed, or (iii) fill any vacancy, however created, in the board of directors. Our board of directors may also appoint additional directors, whether to fill a vacancy or to expand the board of directors, who will serve until the next general meeting of our shareholders following such appointment.
 
 
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Directors appointed by beneficial holders of 14% or more of our issued and outstanding ordinary shares may be removed by our Board of Directors when the beneficially ownership of the shareholder who appointed such director falls below 14% of our ordinary shares.

No shareholder beneficially holding 14% or more of our issued and outstanding ordinary shares has exercised it right to appoint a director.  On January 31, 2011, our shareholders resolved to increase the size of our Board of Directors to eight members.

Our Articles of Association further provide that the board of directors may delegate all of its powers to committees of the board of directors as it deems appropriate, subject to the provisions of applicable law.
 
External Directors and Independent Directors

External Directors. Under the Israeli Companies Law, public companies are required to elect two external directors who must meet specified standards of independence.  External directors may not have during the two years preceding their appointment, directly or indirectly through a relative, partner, employer or controlled entity, any affiliation with (i) the public company, (ii) those of its shareholders who are controlling shareholders at the time of appointment, or (iii) any entity controlled by the company or by its controlling shareholders. The term “affiliation” includes an employment relationship, a business or professional relationship maintained on a regular basis, control and services as an office holder. No person can serve as an external director if the person’s other positions or business creates or may create conflicts of interest with the person’s responsibilities as an external director. Until the lapse of two years from termination of office, a company may not engage an external director as an employee or otherwise.  If, at the time an external director is to be appointed, all current members of the board of directors are of the same gender, then at least one external director must be of the other gender.

A person is qualified to serve as an external director only if he or she has “accounting and financial expertise” or “professional qualifications,” as such terms are defined under regulations promulgated under the Israeli Companies Law.  At least one external director must have “accounting and financial expertise.”  However, Israeli companies listed on certain stock exchanges outside Israel, including The NASDAQ Global Select Market, such as our company, are not required to appoint an external director with “accounting and financial expertise” if a director with accounting and financial expertise who qualifies as an independent director for purposes of audit committee membership under the laws of the foreign country in which the stock exchange is located serves on its board of directors.  All of the external directors of such a company must have “professional qualifications.” Dr. Leora Meridor, a member of our Audit Committee, is an external director who has accounting and financial expertise.

External directors serve for an initial three-year term, which may be renewed for a second three-year term.  Israeli companies listed on certain stock exchanges outside Israel, including the NASDAQ Global Select Market, such as our company, may appoint an external director for additional terms of not more than three years each subject to certain conditions.  Such conditions include the determination by the audit committee and board of directors, that in view of the director’s professional expertise and special contribution to the company’s board of directors and its committees, the appointment of the external director for an additional term is in the best interest of the company. External directors can be removed from office only by the court or by the same special percentage of shareholders that can elect them, and then only if the external directors cease to meet the statutory qualifications with respect to their appointment or if they violate their fiduciary duty to the company. The court may additionally remove external directors from office if they were convicted of certain offenses by a non-Israeli court or are permanently unable to fulfill their position.

If delegated any authority of the board of directors, any committee of the board of directors must include at least one external director. An external director is entitled to compensation as provided in regulations adopted under the Companies Law and is otherwise prohibited from receiving any other compensation, directly or indirectly, in connection with such service.
 
 
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The Companies Law requires external directors to submit to the company, prior to the date of the notice of the general meeting convened to elect the external directors, a declaration stating their compliance with the requirements imposed by Companies Law for the office of external director.

The election of external directors requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares voted on in person or by proxy at a meeting of the shareholders, provided that such majority includes at least one-third of the votes of the non-controlling shareholders of the company who are voting on the matter at the meeting (not including abstentions).  This approval requirement need not be met if the aggregate shareholdings of those non-controlling shareholders who vote against the election of the external director represents one percent or less of all the voting power of the company.  “Controlling” for the purpose of this provision means the ability to direct the acts of the company.  Any person holding one half or more of the voting power of the company or of the right to appoint directors or the chief executive officer is presumed to have control of the company. A recent amendment to the Companies Law increased the majority requirement that would be applicable for future election of external directors.  See Item 10.C below.
 
Our board of directors currently has two external directors under Israeli law: Dr. Leora Meridor, who was initially elected to serve as an external director at our special general meeting of shareholders held on August 30, 2005 and was reelected or an additional three year period at our annual general meeting of shareholders held on December 30, 2008; and Mr. Haim Benyamini who was initially elected to serve as an external director at our special general meeting of shareholders held in February 2005 and was reelected for additional three year periods at our special general meeting of shareholders held on May 28, 2008 and at our annual general meeting of shareholders held on January 31, 2011.
 
Independent Directors.  In general, NASDAQ Marketplace Rules require that the board of directors of a NASDAQ-listed company have a majority of independent directors, within the meaning of NASDAQ rules.  Our board of directors has determined that five out of the eight members of our board of directors, namely, Messrs. Benyamini, Halevy, Ganani, Dr. Meridor and Ms. Sarid, are independent directors under NASDAQ requirements.
 
An Israeli company whose shares are publicly traded, may elect to adopt a provision in its articles of association pursuant to which a portion of its board of directors will constitute individuals complying with certain independence criteria prescribed by the Israeli Companies Law. We have not included such a provision in our articles of association since our Board of Directors complies with the independent director requirements of the NASDAQ Marketplace Rules described above.
 
Committees of the Board of Directors

Audit Committee. Under the Israeli Companies Law, publicly traded companies must establish an audit committee. The audit committee must consist of at least three members, and must include all of the company's external directors. The chairman of the board of directors, any director employed by the company or providing services to the company on a regular basis, any controlling shareholder and any relative of a controlling shareholder may not be a member of the audit committee.  An audit committee may not approve an action or a transaction with an officer or director, a transaction in which an officer or director has a personal interest, a transaction with a controlling shareholder and certain other transactions specified in the Companies Law, unless at the time of approval two external directors are serving as members of the audit committee and at least one of the external directors was present at the meeting in which an approval was granted.

In addition, the NASDAQ Marketplace Rules require us to establish an audit committee comprised of at least three members, all of whom must be independent directors, each of whom is financially literate and satisfies the respective “independence” requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission and NASDAQ and one of whom has accounting or related financial management expertise at senior levels within a company.
 
 
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Our audit committee assists our Board of Directors in overseeing the accounting and financial reporting processes of our company and audits of our financial statements, including the integrity of our financial statements, compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, our independent registered public accountants’ qualifications and independence, the performance of our internal audit function and independent registered public accountants, finding any defects in the business management of our company and proposing to our Board of Directors ways to correct such defects, approving related-party transactions as required by Israeli law, and such other duties as may be directed by our Board of Directors.  The audit committee may consult from time to time with our independent auditors and internal auditor with respect to matters involving financial reporting and internal accounting controls.
 
We have elected to follow Israeli law instead of NASDAQ rules with respect to the composition of our audit committee. Our audit committee consists of Mr. Benyamini, Dr. Meridor, Ms. Sarid and Mr. Tamir. All of the members of our audit committee, except Mr. Itzik Tamir, satisfy the respective “independence” requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission, NASDAQ and Israeli law for audit committee members.  Mr. Tamir does not qualify as an independent director within the meaning of NASDAQ rules.  However, our Board of Directors has determined that Mr. Tamir satisfies the independence requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission and satisfies the requirements of Israeli law for audit committee members. See Item 16G. “Corporate Governance.” Our Board of Directors has further determined that Dr. Meridor qualifies to serve as the audit committee’s financial expert, as required by the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission and NASDAQ. The audit committee meets at least once each quarter. Our Board of Directors has further determined that Dr. Meridor qualifies to serve as the audit committee’s financial expert, as required by the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission and NASDAQ. The audit committee meets at least once each quarter.
 
Compensation and Stock Option Committee. Our Board of Directors has established a compensation committee, which is authorized to determine all compensations issues, including the administration of our option plans, subject to general guidelines determined by our Board of Directors from time to time.  The compensation committee also makes recommendations to our board of directors in connection with the terms of employment of our chief executive officer and all other executive officers.
 
Our compensation and stock option committee consists of Mr. Benyamini, Dr. Meridor and Ms. Sarid.  All of the members of our compensation and stock option committee are independent directors, within the meaning of NASDAQ rules.  We have elected to follow Israeli law instead of NASDAQ requirements with respect to independent director oversight of executive compensation.  See Item 16G. “Corporate Governance.”
 
Nominating Committee.  Although we are not required to do so under Israel law, our Board of Directors has established a nominating committee, which is charged with and authorized to recommend nominees for election to the board of directors by our shareholders at the annual general meeting of shareholders.  Our nominating committee consists of Mr. Benyamini, Dr. Meridor, Ms. Sarid and Mr. Ganani.  All of the members of our nominating committee are independent directors, within the meaning of NASDAQ rules.
 
Internal Audit
 
The Israeli Companies Law also requires the board of directors of a public company to appoint an internal auditor nominated by the audit committee.  The internal auditor must meet certain statutory requirements of independence.  The role of the internal auditor is to examine, among other things, the compliance of the company’s conduct with applicable law and orderly business practice.  Mr. Daniel Freidman served as our internal auditor until March 31, 2011, at which time he assumed another role in the Company. We intend to replace Mr. Friedman as soon as possible and are actively engaged in a search for that purpose.
 
 
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Directors’ Service Contracts
 
There are no arrangements or understandings between us or any of our subsidiaries, on the one hand, and any of our directors, on the other hand, providing for benefits upon termination of their employment or service as directors of our company or any of our subsidiaries.
 
Approval of Related Party Transactions Under Israeli Law
 
Fiduciary Duties of Office Holders
 
The Israeli Companies Law codifies the fiduciary duties that “office holders,” including directors and executive officers, owe to a company.  An “office holder” is defined in the Israeli Companies Law as a director, general manager, chief business manager, deputy general manager, vice general manager, other manager directly subordinate to the general manager or any other person assuming the responsibilities of any of the foregoing positions without regard to such person’s title.  An office holder’s fiduciary duties consist of a duty of care and a duty of loyalty.  The duty of care requires an office holder to act at a level of care that a reasonable office holder in the same position would employ under the same circumstances.  This includes the duty to utilize reasonable means to obtain (i) information regarding the business feasibility of a given action brought for his approval or performed by him by virtue of his position and (ii) all other information of importance pertaining to the foregoing actions.  The duty of loyalty requires that an office holder act in good faith and for the benefit of the company, including (i) avoiding any conflict of interest between the office holder’s position in the company and any other position he holds or his personal affairs, (ii) avoiding any competition with the company’s business, (iii) avoiding exploiting any business opportunity of the company in order to receive personal gain for the office holder or others, and (iv) disclosing to the company any information or documents relating to the company’s affairs that the office holder has received by virtue of his position as an office holder.
 
Disclosure of Personal Interests of an Office Holder; Approval of Transactions with Office Holders
 
The Israeli Companies Law requires that an office holder promptly, and no later than the first board meeting at which such transaction is considered, disclose any personal interest that he or she may have and all related material information known to him or her and any documents in their possession, in connection with any existing or proposed transaction relating to our company.  In addition, if the transaction is an extraordinary transaction, that is, a transaction other than in the ordinary course of business, other than on market terms, or likely to have a material impact on the company’s profitability, assets or liabilities, the office holder must also disclose any personal interest held by the office holder’s spouse, siblings, parents, grandparents, descendants, spouse’s descendants and the spouses of any of the foregoing, or by any corporation in which the office holder or a relative (as such term is described above) is a 5% or greater shareholder, director or general manager or in which he or she has the right to appoint at least one director or the general manager.
 
Under the Israeli Companies Law, all arrangements as to compensation of office holders who are not directors require approval by the board of directors, and exculpation, insurance and indemnification of, or an undertaking to, indemnify an office holder who is not a director requires both board of directors and audit committee approval.  The compensation of office holders who are directors must be approved by our Audit Committee, Board of Directors and shareholders, in that order. See also Item 10.B: Companies Law Amendment.
 
Some transactions, actions and arrangements involving an office holder (or a third party in which an office holder has an interest) must be approved by the board of directors or as otherwise provided for in a company’s articles of association, however, a transaction that is adverse to the company’s interest may not be approved.  In some cases, such a transaction must be approved by the audit committee and by the board of directors itself, and under certain circumstances shareholder approval may be required.  A director who has a personal interest in a transaction that is considered at a meeting of the board of directors or the audit committee may not be present during the board of directors or audit committee discussions and may not vote on the transaction, unless the transaction is not an extraordinary transaction or the majority of the members of the board or the audit committee have a personal interest, as the case may be.  In the event that the majority of the members of the board of directors or the audit committee have a personal interest, then the approval of the general meeting of shareholders is also required.
 
 
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Disclosure of Personal Interests of a Controlling Shareholder; Approval of Transactions with Controlling Shareholders
 
The disclosure requirements that apply to an office holder also apply to a transaction in which a controlling shareholder of the company has a personal interest.  The Israeli Companies Law provides that an extraordinary transaction with a controlling shareholder or an extraordinary transaction with another person in whom the controlling shareholder has a personal interest or a transaction with a controlling shareholder or his relative regarding terms of service and employment, must be approved by the audit committee, the board of directors and shareholders in that order.  The shareholder approval for such a transaction must include at least one-third of the shareholders who have no personal interest in the transaction who voted on the matter (not including abstentions).  The transaction can be approved by shareholders without this one-third approval if the total shareholdings of those shareholders who have no personal interest and voted against the transaction do not represent more than one percent of the voting rights in the company. A recent amendment to the Companies Law has increased the majority required for approval of such transactions.  See Item 10.B.
 
Under the Companies Regulations (Relief from Related Party Transactions), 5760-2000, promulgated under the Israeli Companies Law, as amended, certain extraordinary transactions between a public company and its controlling shareholder(s) do not require shareholder approval.  In addition, under such regulations, directors’ compensation and employment arrangements in a public company do not require the approval of the shareholders if both the audit committee and the board of directors agree that such arrangements are solely for the benefit of the company or if the directors’ compensation does not exceed the maximum amount of compensation for external directors determined by applicable regulations.  Also, employment and compensation arrangements for an office holder that is a controlling shareholder of a public company do not require shareholder approval if certain criteria are met.  The foregoing exemptions from shareholder approval will not apply if one or more shareholders holding at least 1% of the issued and outstanding share capital of the company or of the company’s voting rights, objects to the use of these exemptions provided that such objection is submitted to the company in writing not later than fourteen days from the date of the filing of a report regarding the adoption of such resolution by the company.  If such objection is duly and timely submitted, then the transaction or compensation arrangement of the directors will require shareholders’ approval as detailed above.
 
The Israeli Companies Law provides that an acquisition of shares in a public company must be made by means of a tender offer if as a result of the acquisition a person would become a 25% or greater shareholder of the company.  This rule does not apply if there is already another 25% or greater shareholder of the company.  Similarly, the Israeli Companies Law provides that an acquisition of shares in a public company must be made by means of a tender offer if as a result of the acquisition a person would hold greater than a 45% interest in the company, unless there is another shareholder holding more than a 45% interest in the company.  These requirements do not apply if (i) in general, the acquisition was made in a private placement that received shareholder approval, (ii) was from a 25% or greater shareholder of the company which resulted in the acquirer becoming a 25% or greater shareholder of the company, if there is not already a 25% or greater shareholder of the company, or (iii) was from a shareholder holding a 45% interest in the company which resulted in the acquirer becoming a holder of a 45% interest in the company if there is not already a 45% or greater shareholder of the company.
 
If, as a result of an acquisition of shares, a person will hold more than 90% of a public company’s outstanding shares or a class of shares, the acquisition must be made by means of a full tender offer for all of the outstanding shares or a class of shares.  In such event, if less than 5% of the outstanding shares are not tendered in such full tender offer, all of the outstanding shares or class of shares will be transferred to the acquirer.  The Israeli Companies Law provides for appraisal rights if any shareholder files a request in court within three months following the consummation of a full tender offer.  If more than 5% of the outstanding shares are not tendered in the tender offer, then the acquirer may not acquire shares in the tender offer that will cause his shareholding to exceed 90% of the outstanding shares.
 
 
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Exemption, Indemnification and Insurance of Directors and Officers
 
Under the Israeli Companies Law, a company may not exempt an office holder from liability with respect to a breach of his fiduciary duty, but may exempt in advance an office holder from his liability to the company, in whole or in part, with respect to a breach of his duty of care.  However, a company may not exculpate in advance a director from his or her liability to the company with respect to a breach of his duty of care in the event of distributions.
 
Pursuant to the Companies Law, a company may indemnify an office holder against a monetary liability imposed on him by a court, including in settlement or arbitration proceedings, and against reasonable legal expenses in a civil proceeding or in a criminal proceeding in which the office holder was found to be innocent or in which he was convicted of an offense which does not require proof of a criminal intent. The indemnification of an office holder must be expressly allowed in the articles of association, under which the company may (i) undertake in advance to indemnify its office holders with respect to categories of events that can be foreseen at the time of giving such undertaking and up to an amount determined by the board of directors to be reasonable under the circumstances, or (ii) provide indemnification retroactively at amounts deemed to be reasonable by the board of directors.
 
A company may also procure insurance of an office holder's liability in consequence of an act performed in the scope of his office, in the following cases: (a) a breach of the duty of care of such office holder, (b) a breach of the fiduciary duty, only if the office holder acted in good faith and had reasonable grounds to believe that such act would not be detrimental to the company, or (c) a monetary obligation imposed on the office holder for the benefit of another person.
 
A company may not indemnify an office holder against, nor enter into an insurance contract which would provide coverage for, any monetary liability incurred as a result of any of the following
 
 
·
a breach by the office holder of his fiduciary duty unless the office holder acted in good faith and had a reasonable basis to believe that the act would not prejudice the company;
 
 
·
a breach by the office holder of his duty of care if such breach was done intentionally or recklessly;
 
 
·
any act or omission done with the intent to derive an illegal personal gain; or
 
 
·
any fine or penalty levied against the office holder as a result of a criminal offense.
 
In addition, under the Companies Law, indemnification of, and procurement of insurance coverage for a company’s office holders, must be approved by the company’s audit committee and board of directors and, in specified circumstances, by the company’s shareholders.
 
Our Articles of Association allow us to exempt any office holder to the maximum extent permitted by law, before or after the occurrence giving rise to such exemption. Our Articles of Association also provide that we may indemnify any office holder, to the maximum extent permitted by law, against any liabilities he or she may incur in such capacity, limited with respect (i) to the categories of events that can be foreseen in advance by our Board of Directors when authorizing such undertaking and (ii) to the amount of such indemnification as determined retroactively by our Board of Directors to be reasonable in the particular circumstances. Similarly, we may also agree to indemnify an office holder for past occurrences, whether or not we are obligated under any agreement to provide such indemnification. Our Articles of Association also allow us to procure insurance covering any past or present officer holder against any liability which he or she may incur in such capacity, to the maximum extent permitted by law. Such insurance may also cover the company for indemnifying such office holder. We have obtained directors’ and officers’ liability insurance covering our officers and directors and those of our subsidiaries for certain claims. In addition, as of August 30, 2005, we have provided our directors and officers with letters providing them with indemnification to the fullest extent permitted under Israeli law.
 
 
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D.            Employees
 
As of December 31, 2010, we had approximately 1,280 full-time employees, including 323 employees in engineering, research and development, 516 employees in manufacturing, operations and technical support, 158 employees in marketing and sales, 166 employees in administration and finance and 117 in other departments. Of these employees, 448 employees were based in our facilities in Israel, 394 were employed in the United States, 272 were employed in Latin America and 166 in Asia, the Far East and other parts of the world. These numbers reflect an increase  in headcount since December 31, 2009 of 387 employees worldwide. We also utilize temporary employees, as necessary, to supplement our manufacturing and other capabilities.
 
        We believe that our relations with our employees are satisfactory.  We and our employees are not parties to any collective bargaining agreements. However, certain provisions of the collective bargaining agreements between the Histadrut (General Federation of Labor in Israel) and the Coordination Bureau of Economic Organizations (including the Manufacturers’ Association of Israel) are applicable to all Israeli employees by order of the Israeli Ministry of Labor and Welfare. These provisions principally concern the length of the work day and the work week, minimum wages for workers, contributions to a pension fund, insurance for work-related accidents, procedures for dismissing employees, determination of severance pay and other conditions of employment. The amount and frequency of these adjustments are modified from time to time.
 
As of December 31, 2009, we had 893 full-time employees, including 150 employees in engineering, research and development, 378 employees in manufacturing, operations and technical support, 134 employees in marketing and sales, 129 employees in administration and finance and 102 in other departments. Of these employees, 351 employees were based in our facilities in Israel, 209 were employed in the United States, 277 were employed in Latin America and 56 in Asia, the Far East and other parts of the world. These numbers reflect a reduction in headcount since December 31, 2008 of 73 employees worldwide.
 
As of December 31, 2008, we had approximately 966 full-time employees, including 163 employees in engineering, research and development, 426 employees in manufacturing, operations and technical support, 137 employees in marketing and sales, 140 employees in administration and finance and 100 in other departments. Of these employees, 397 employees were based in our facilities in Israel, 233 were employed in the United States, 288 were employed in Latin America and 48 in Asia, the Far East and other parts of the world.
 
Israeli law generally requires severance pay upon the retirement or death of an employee or termination of employment without due cause. Our ongoing severance obligations are partially funded by making quarterly payments to approved severance funds or insurance policies, with the remainder accrued as a long-term liability in our consolidated financial statements. In addition, Israeli employees and employers are required to pay specified amounts to the National Insurance Institute, which is similar to the U.S. Social Security Administration. Since January 1, 1995, such amounts also include payments for national health insurance. The payments to the National Insurance Institute are approximately 17.45% of wages (up to a specified amount), of which the employee contributes approximately 69% and the employer contributes approximately 31%. The majority of our permanent employees are covered by life and pension insurance policies providing customary benefits to employees, including retirement and severance benefits. For Israeli employees, we contribute 13.33% to 15.83% (depending on the employee) of base wages to such plans and the permanent employees contribute 5% to 7% of base wages.
 
In Spacenet, we have a savings plan that qualifies under Section 401(k) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code.  We contribute matching contributions to employee contributions in the following amounts: a) for the first 3% of employee contributions, we match the contribution dollar for dollar; and b) for employee contributions over 3% and up to a maximum of 6%, we match the contribution by contributing $0.50 for each dollar contributed by the employee.  Matching contributions are invested amongst the 401(k) plan’s various investment options in the same proportion as each employee designates for the employee’s voluntary contributions.  The 2009 year presented us with unusual challenges resulting in a temporary suspension of our matching contributions effective in April 2009.  However, effective February 2010, we have reestablished our matching commitment. 

 
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Wavestream sponsors a retirement plan for eligible employees.  The Wavestream Corporation 401(k) Plan is a Safe Harbor 401(k) Plan and allows eligible employees to defer compensation up to the maximum amount allowed under the current Internal Revenue Code.  As a Safe Harbor Plan, Wavestream must make a mandatory contribution to the Plan to satisfy certain nondiscrimination requirements under the Internal Revenue Code.  This mandatory contribution is made to all eligible employees.  This contribution has historically been 3% annually, an amount designed to meet the criteria for the plan to continue to qualify for Safe Harbor status.

E.            Share Ownership
 
Beneficial Ownership of Executive Officers and Directors
 
Except for Mr. Amiram Levinberg, none of our directors and executive officers beneficially holds more than 1% of our outstanding shares. Mr. Levinberg beneficially holds 3% of our ordinary shares, comprised of 71,834 ordinary shares and 1,140,000 options to purchase ordinary shares exercisable within 60 days from March 31, 2011
 
As of December 31, 2010, our directors and executive officers as a group (21 persons) held options to purchase 1,843,200  of our ordinary shares under our stock options plans (described below), exercisable at a weighted average exercise price of $5.44 per share.  Out of such options, options to purchase 1,025 ordinary shares expire in 2011, options to purchase 175 ordinary shares expire in 2012, options to purchase 144,000 ordinary expire in 2013, options to purchase 620,000 ordinary expire in 2014, options to purchase 1,068,000 ordinary shares expire in 2015 and options to purchase 10,000 ordinary shares expire in 2017.  See Item 7A “Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions – Major Shareholders.”Stock Option Plans”.
 
Stock Option Plans

1995 Plans

In June 1995, we adopted the 1995 Stock Option Plan (Incentive and Restricted Stock Options),  the 1995 Section 102 Stock Option/Stock Purchase Plan, and the 1995 Advisory Board Stock Option Plan, or the 1995 Plans. The 1995 Plans expired on June 29, 2005.
 
As of December 31, 2010, we had granted options to purchase a total of 90,027 ordinary shares under the 1995 Plans and options to purchase 50,355 ordinary shares were outstanding. The exercise prices for such options vary from $9.20 to $2,730 and all such options expire at various times from June 2011 to September 2012. As of December 31, 2010, a total of 42,113 options had been exercised under the 1995 Plans.

2003 Stock Option Plan
 
In September 2003, we adopted the 2003 Stock Option Plan (Incentive and Restricted Stock Options), or the 2003 ISO/RSO Plan and the Section 102 Stock Option Plan 2003, or the 2003 Section 102 Plan and together, the “2003 Plans”.  In February 2005, our shareholders increased the pool for the 2003 Plans by 1,135,000 shares and in December 2005, our shareholders further increased the pool by 3,500,000 shares, such that the 2003 Plans provide for the grant of options of up to an aggregate of 6,135,000 ordinary shares to our officers, directors, employees or service providers or any of the employees or service providers of our subsidiaries.

As of December 31, 2010, options to purchase a total of 3,871,200 ordinary shares were outstanding under the 2003 Plan, and options to purchase 1,855,080 ordinary shares had been exercised.  The exercise prices for such options vary from $5.00 to $9.82 and such options expire at various times from August 2013 to August 2017.

 
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2005 Stock Incentive Plan

In December 2005, our shareholders adopted the 2005 Stock Incentive Plan, or the 2005 Plan, with a pool of 1.5 million shares. This 2005 Plan is designed to enable the Board of Directors to determine various forms of incentives for all forms of service providers and, when necessary, adopt a sub-plan in order to grant specific incentives.  In October 2008, the compensation and stock option committee of the Board of Directors adopted a sub-plan so as to enable qualified optionees certain tax benefits under the Israeli Income Tax Ordinance.  Among the incentives that may be adopted are share options, performance share awards, performance share unit awards, RSU awards and other share based awards.

As of December 31, 2010, options to purchase a total of 50,000 ordinary shares were outstanding under the 2005 Plan, none of which had been exercised.  The exercise price for such options is $8.11 and such options expire at in August 2013.

During 2008, 2009 and 2010, the compensation and stock option committee of the Board of Directors authorized the grant of RSUs under the 2005 Plan to certain key employees.  The entitlement to these shares vest quarterly over a four-year period (15%, 25%, 30%, 30% each year, respectively) so long as the employee remains with our company.  As of December 31, 2010, we have granted 1,489,186 RSUs under the 2005 Plan, pursuant to which 585,885 ordinary shares have already been issued.

2008 Stock Incentive Plan
 
In October 2008, the compensation and stock option committee adopted a new plan, the 2008 Stock Incentive Plan, or the 2008 Plan, with a pool of 1 million shares and a sub-plan to enable qualified optionees certain tax benefits under the Israeli Income Tax Ordinance. In October 2010 the compensation and stock option committee approved an increase in the number of shares in the pool of the 2008 Plan to 2 million shares. As of December 31, 2010, options to purchase a total of 600,000 ordinary shares were outstanding under the 2008 Plan, none of which had been exercised.  The exercise price for such options is $4.00 and such options expire in December 2014.
 
During 2008, 2009 and 2010, the compensation and stock option committee of the Board of Directors authorized the grant of RSUs under the 2008 Plan to certain key employees. The entitlement to these shares vest quarterly over a four-year period (15%, 25%, 30%, 30% each year, respectively) so long as the employee remains with our company.   As of December 31, 2010, we have granted 615,000 RSUs under the 2008 Plan, pursuant to which 59,868 ordinary shares have already been issued.

The purpose of the 1995, 2003, 2005 and 2008 Plans, referred to together as the Plans is to enable us to attract and retain qualified persons as employees, officers, directors, consultants and advisors and to motivate such persons by providing them with an equity participation in our company. The Section 102 Plans are designed to afford qualified optionees certain tax benefits under the Israel Income Tax Ordinance.
 
The Plans are administered by the Compensation and Stock Option Committee appointed by our Board of Directors. The Compensation and Stock Option Committee has broad discretion, subject to certain limitations, to determine the persons entitled to receive options, the terms and conditions on which options or rights to purchase are granted and the number of shares subject thereto. The Compensation and Stock Option Committee also has discretion to determine the nature of the consideration to be paid upon the exercise of an option and/or right to purchase granted under the Plans. Such consideration generally may consist of cash or, at the discretion of the Board of Directors, cash and a recourse promissory note.
 
Stock options issued as incentive stock options pursuant to the Plans will only be granted to the employees (including directors and officers) of our company or its subsidiaries. The exercise price of incentive stock options issued pursuant to the ISO/RSO Plan must be at least equal to the fair market value of the ordinary shares as of the date of the grant (and, in the case of optionees who own more than 10% of the voting stock, the exercise price must equal at least 110% of the fair market value of the ordinary shares as of the date of the grant).
 
 
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Options are exercisable and restrictions on disposition of shares lapse according to the terms of the individual agreements under which such options were granted or shares issued.
 
 
A.           Major Shareholders
 
The following table sets forth certain information with respect to the beneficial ownership of our ordinary shares as of March 31, 2011 (including options currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days and RSU’s vested within 60 days, of March 31, 2011) with respect to: (i) each person who is believed by us to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of the ordinary shares; and (ii) all directors and officers as a group.
 
The information in the table below is based on 40,817,788 ordinary shares outstanding as of March 31, 2011. Except where otherwise indicated, we believe, based on information furnished by the owners, that the beneficial owners of the ordinary shares listed below have sole investment and voting power with respect to such shares, subject to any applicable community property laws.

Name and Address
  
Number of
Ordinary
Shares
Beneficially
Owned
    
Percent of
Ordinary
Shares
Outstanding
  
             
York Capital Management(1)
     8,121,651       19.9 %
Menora Mivtachim Holdings Ltd. (2)
     4,214,560       10.3 %
Mivtach Shamir Finance Ltd. (3)
     2,216,945       5.4 %
                 
All officers and directors as a group (21 persons)(4)
     1,857,804       4.6 %

(1)
Based on a Schedule 13D/A filed on April 12, 2010, the shares are directly owned by or allocated for the benefit of (i) York Capital Management, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership; (ii) York Investment Master Fund, L.P., a Cayman Islands exempted limited partnership;   (iii) York Credit Opportunities Fund, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership; and (iv)  York Credit Opportunities Master  Fund, L.P., a Cayman Islands exempted limited partnership. These four entities are part of a family of pooled investment vehicles managed by JGD Management Corp., a Delaware corporation doing business as York Capital Management. The sole shareholder of JGD is James G. Dinan. Dinan Management is the general partner of York Capital Management L.P. and James G. Dinan and Daniel A. Schwartz are the controlling members of Dinan Management. York Offshore Limited is the investment manager of York Investment Limited. The controlling principal of York Offshore Limited is James G. Dinan. Daniel A. Schwartz is a director of York Offshore Limited. York Credit Opportunities Domestic Holdings is the general partner of York Credit Opportunities. James G. Dinan and Daniel A. Schwartz are the controlling members of York Credit Opportunities Domestic Holdings. The principal business address of each of these entities and individuals is c/o York Capital Management, 767 Fifth Avenue, 17th Floor, New York, New York, 10153.
 
 
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(2)
Based on Schedule 13D/A filed on August 9, 2010, the 4,214,560 shares reported in the Schedule as beneficially owned by Menora Mivtachim Holdings Ltd., are held for members of the public through, among others, provident funds, mutual funds, pension funds and insurance policies, which are managed by Menora Mivtachim Insurance Ltd., Menora Mivtachim Pensions Ltd., Menora Mivtachim Finance Ltd., Menora Mivtachim Gemel Ltd. and Menora Mivtachim Mutual Funds Ltd., all of which are wholly-owned subsidiaries of Menora Mivtachim Holdings Ltd., each of which operates under independent management and makes independent voting and investment decisions. The address of  Menora Mivtachim Holdings Ltd., is Menora House 115 Allenby Street, Tel Aviv 61008, Israel.

(3)
Based on a Schedule 13D filed on July 28, 2005. Mr. Meir Shamir and Ashtrom Industries Ltd. share voting and dispositive power with respect to the shares held by Mivtach Shamir Holdings Ltd. The address of Mivtach Shamir Holdings Ltd. is Beit Sharvat, 4 Kaufman St., Tel Aviv 68012, Israel.

(4)
Includes options that are currently exercisable or are exercisable within 60 days that are held by our directors and executive officers.

Significant Changes in the Ownership of Major Shareholders
 
As of December 31, 2008, our major shareholders were York, holding 8,070,563 shares (approximately 20% ownership), and Mivtach Shamir Finance Ltd., holding 2,216,945 shares (approximately 5% ownership). As of March 15, 2010, our major shareholders were York, holding 8,121,651 shares (approximately 20% ownership), Mivtach Shamir Finance Ltd., holding 2,216,945 shares (approximately 5 % ownership), Renaissance Technologies LLC holding 2,041,600 (approximately 5% ownership), and Menora Mivtachim Holdings Ltd. holding 2,047,701(approximately 5 % ownership). As of March 31, 2011, our major shareholders are York, holding 8,121,651 shares (approximately 20.1% ownership), Menora Mivtachim Holdings Ltd. holding 4,214,560 (approximately 10.4 % ownership) and Mivtach Shamir Finance Ltd., holding 2,216,945 shares (approximately 5.5 % ownership).

Major Shareholders Voting Rights
 
The voting rights of our major shareholders do not differ from the voting rights of other holders of our ordinary shares, except to the extent that they hold more than 14% and as such, they will have a right to appoint a director, subject to certain conditions set forth in our Articles of Association.

Record Holders
 
Based on a review of the information provided to us by our transfer agent, as of March 31, 2011, there were 81 holders of record of our ordinary shares, of which 63 record holders holding approximately 95.5% of our ordinary shares had registered addresses in the United States.  These numbers are not representative of the number of beneficial holders of our shares nor is it representative of where such beneficial holders reside since many of these ordinary shares were held of record by brokers or other nominees, including CEDE & Co., the nominee for the Depositary Company (the central depositary for the U.S. brokerage community), which held approximately 76% of our outstanding ordinary shares as of said date.

 
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B.            Related Party Transactions.

On May 31, 2009, we entered into a registration rights agreement with York Capital Management, or York, under which we agreed to register 8,121,651 ordinary shares held by York for disposition by York from time to time.  On July 20, 2009, we filed a Form F-3 registration statement for the disposition of such shares from time to time.

C.            Interests of Experts and Counsel.

                Not applicable.

 
A.            Consolidated Statements
 
See the consolidated financial statements, including the notes thereto, and the exhibits listed in Item 18 hereof and incorporated herein by this reference.
 
Export Sales
 
For information on our revenues breakdown for the past three years, see Item 5: “Operating and Financial Review and Prospects.”
 
Legal Proceedings
 
We are a party to various legal proceedings incident to our business. Except as noted below, there are no material legal proceedings pending or, to our knowledge, threatened against us or our subsidiaries, and we are not involved in any legal proceedings that our management believes, individually or in the aggregate, would have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or operating results.

In December 2010, a lawsuit was filed against us in the Superior Court in Orange County, California by STM Group Inc. and Emil Youssefzadeh claiming damages for tortuous interference with contract and defamation for alleged actions in Peru.  The complaint seeks damages of approximately $6 million in connection with the contract claim by STM Group, an unstated amount by Mr. Youssefzadeh, and exemplary damages and costs. The action was removed to the US District Court for the Central District of California and in March 2011, we moved to dismiss the complaint on several grounds. Although we believe the claims to be without merit, we cannot assess the likelihood of success because of the early stage of the litigation. We intend to use all legal means necessary to protect and defend our company.
 
In August 2010, we announced the settlement of lawsuits that we had filed in November 2008 against Mivtach Shamir Holdings Ltd., LR Group Ltd., Gores Capital Partners II, L.P, and DGB Investments, Inc., in connection with the termination of the merger agreement dated March 31, 2008, pursuant to which we were to be acquired by a consortium of private equity investors. The lawsuits were filed based on guarantees delivered by each of the defendants to cover their respective portion of the total amount of approximately $47 million that we claimed as due for the wrongful termination. The settlement agreements  resulted in the termination of all court proceedings filed by us against each of the defendants, as well as in general mutual waivers and releases provided by all parties. Under the terms of the settlement agreements, the defendants will pay Gilat an aggregate of approximately $20 million, over half of which has already been paid, with the remainder to be paid in annual installments ending in October 2013. The settlement agreements were reached through mediation proceedings that began in 2009.

In November 2009, a lawsuit was filed in the central district court in Israel by eight individuals and Israeli companies against our company, all of our directors and our 20% shareholder, York Capital Management and its affiliates. The plaintiffs claim damages based on the amounts they would have been paid had the merger agreement signed on March 31, 2008 closed. The lawsuit, seeking damages of approximately $12.4 million, is similar to the lawsuit and motion for its approval as a class action proceeding previously filed by the same group of Israeli shareholders in October 2008. That lawsuit and motion were withdrawn by the plaintiffs in July 2009 at the recommendation of the court, which questioned the basis for the lawsuit. We and our outside legal counsel believe the claims in this 2009 action are completely without merit, and that the lawsuit is without basis. We intend to use all legal means necessary to protect and defend our company and its directors.

 
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In September 2003, Nova Mobilcom S.A., or Mobilcom, filed a lawsuit against Gilat do Brazil for specific performance of a memorandum of understanding, which provided for the sale of Gilat do Brazil, and specifically the GESAC project, a government education project awarded to Gilat do Brazil, to Mobilcom for an unspecified amount. Gilat do Brazil does not believe that this claim has any merit and is vigorously defending itself against the claims presented therein.

The Brazilian tax authority filed a claim against a subsidiary of Spacenet Inc. in Brazil, for alleged taxes due of approximately $4 million. In January 2004 and December 2005, the subsidiary filed its administrative defense, which was denied by the first and second level courts, respectively.  In September 2006, the subsidiary filed an annulment action seeking judicial cancellation of the claim. In May 2009, the subsidiary received notice of the court’s first level decision, which cancelled a significant part of the claim but, upheld two items of the assessment. Under this new decision, the subsidiary’s liability was reduced to approximately $1.5 million. This decision was appealed by both the subsidiary and the State tax authorities and is pending review by the São Paulo Court of Appeals. As of December 31, 2010, the subsidiary faces a total tax exposure of approximately $10 million, which reflects an increase of the original sum claimed by the Brazilian tax authority, due to interest and exchange rate differences.

We are also a party to various regulatory proceedings incident to our business. To the knowledge of our management, none of such proceedings is material to us or to our subsidiaries.

Dividend Policy
 
We have never paid cash dividends on our ordinary shares and do not anticipate paying any cash dividends in the foreseeable future. We have decided to reinvest permanently the amount of tax-exempt income derived from our “Approved Enterprises” or “Benefited Enterprise” and not to distribute such income as dividends. See Notes 8 and 11 to the consolidated financial statements included in this annual report on Form 20-F. In addition, the terms of some of our financing arrangements restrict us from paying dividends to our shareholders.
 
According to the Israeli Companies Law, a company may distribute dividends out of its profits provided that there is no reasonable concern that such dividend distribution will prevent the company from paying all its current and foreseeable obligations, as they become due.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, dividends may be paid with the approval of a court, provided that there is no reasonable concern that such dividend distribution will prevent the company from satisfying its current and foreseeable obligations, as they become due.  Profits, for purposes of the Israeli Companies Law, means the greater of retained earnings or earnings accumulated during the preceding two years, after deducting previous distributions that were not deducted from the surpluses. In the event we declare dividends in the future, we will pay those dividends in NIS. Because exchange rates between NIS and the dollar fluctuate continuously, a U.S. shareholder will be subject to currency fluctuation between the date when the dividends are declared and the date the dividends are paid.
 
B.            Significant Changes
 
Not applicable.

 
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A.            Offer and Listing Details
 
Annual Share Price Information
 
The following table sets forth, each of the years indicated, the high and low market prices of our ordinary shares on the NASDAQ Global Market and the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange. In January 2011, our ordinary shares started trading on the NASDAQ Global Select Market.
 
   
NASDAQ
    
Tel Aviv Stock Exchange
  
Year
  
High
    
Low
    
High
    
Low
  
                         
2006
   $ 10.01     $ 5.59     $ 9.93     $ 5.44  
2007
   $ 11.18     $ 7.89     $ 11.14     $ 7.67  
2008
   $ 11.15     $ 2.20     $ 11.31     $ 2.22  
2009
   $ 4.98     $ 2.69     $ 5.20     $ 2.75  
2010
   $ 6.25     $ 3.96     $ 6.25     $ 3.99  

Quarterly Share Price Information
 
The following table sets forth, for each of the full financial quarters in the years indicated the high and low market prices of our ordinary shares on the NASDAQ Global Market (as of January 2011, on the Global Select Market) and the Tel -Aviv Stock Exchange:
 
   
NASDAQ
    
Tel Aviv Stock Exchange
  
   
High
    
Low
    
High
    
Low
  
2009
                        
First quarter
   $ 3.79     $ 2.69     $ 3.84     $ 2.75  
Second quarter
   $ 4.53     $ 3.20     $ 4.44     $ 3.23  
Third quarter
   $ 4.98     $ 4.05     $ 5.20     $ 4.10  
Fourth quarter
   $ 4.80     $ 4.15     $ 4.89     $ 4.17  
                                 
2010
                                
First quarter
   $ 5.97     $ 4.94     $ 5.97     $ 4.73  
Second quarter
   $ 6.25     $ 3.96     $ 6.25     $ 3.99  
Third quarter
   $ 6.01     $ 4.67     $ 6.03     $ 4.68  
Fourth quarter
   $ 5.90     $ 4.83     $ 6.00     $ 4.72  

Monthly Share Price Information
 
The following table sets forth, for the most recent six months, the high and low market prices of our ordinary shares on the NASDAQ Global Select Market (as of January 2011, on the Global Select Market) and the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange:
 
   
NASDAQ
    
Tel Aviv Stock Exchange
  
   
High
    
Low
    
High
    
Low
  
October 2010 
   $ 5.90     $ 5.26     $ 6.00     $ 5.33  
November 2010 
   $ 5.33     $ 4.83     $ 5.39     $ 4.72  
December 2010 
   $ 5.24     $ 4.90     $ 5.34     $ 4.88  
January 2011 
   $ 5.85     $ 5.10     $ 5.85     $ 5.05  
February  2011 
   $ 5.42     $ 5.15     $ 5.59     $ 5.22  
March 2011 
   $ 5.34     $ 4.73     $ 5.36     $ 4.77  
April 2011 (through April 11)
   $ 5.29     $ 5.03     $ 5.22     $ 5.00  
 
 
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B. 
Plan of Distribution
 
Not applicable.
 
C. 
Markets
 
Our ordinary shares are listed on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol “GILT” and are also traded on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange.
 
D. 
Selling Shareholders
 
Not applicable.
 
E. 
Dilution
 
Not applicable.
 
F. 
Expense of the Issue
 
Not applicable.
 
 
A. 
Share Capital
 
Not applicable.
 
B. 
Memorandum and Articles of Association
 
Set out below is a description of certain provisions of our Articles of Association and of the Israeli Companies Law related to such provisions. This description is only a summary and does not purport to be complete and is qualified by reference to the full text of the Articles of Association, which are incorporated by reference as exhibits to this annual report, and to Israeli law.
 
Registration and Purposes
 
We are an Israeli public company registered with the Israel companies register, registration No. 52-003893-6.
 
Under the Companies Law, a company may define its purposes as to engage in any lawful business and may broaden the scope of its purposes to the grant of reasonable donations for any proper charitable cause, even if the basis for any such donation is not dependent upon business considerations. Article 3A of our Articles of Association provides that our purpose is to engage in any business permitted by law and that we can also grant reasonable donations for any proper charitable cause.
 
Powers of the Directors
 
Under the provisions of the Israeli Companies Law and our articles of association, a director cannot vote on a proposal, arrangement or contract in which he or she is materially interested, nor attend a meeting during which such transaction is considered.  In addition, our directors cannot vote compensation to themselves or any members of their body without the approval of our audit committee and our shareholders at a general meeting.  The requirements for approval of certain transactions are set forth above in Item 6C. “Directors, Senior Management and Employees – Board Practices – Approval of Related Party Transactions Under Israeli Law.”
 
 
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Rights Attached to Ordinary Shares
 
Our authorized share capital consists of 60,000,000 ordinary shares, nominal value NIS 0.2 per share.  All outstanding ordinary shares are validly issued and fully paid.  Certain rights attached to the ordinary shares are as described below.

Voting Rights.  Holders of ordinary shares have one vote for each ordinary share held on all matters submitted to a vote of shareholders. Shareholders may vote in person or by proxy.  These voting rights may be affected by the grant of any special voting rights to the holders of a class of shares with preferential rights that may be authorized in the future.   Under our articles of association, most decisions may be approved by a simple majority.

Dividend and Liquidation Rights; Rights to Shares in our Company’s Profits.  Our ordinary shares are entitled to the full amount of any cash or share dividend declared, in proportion to the paid up nominal value of their respective holdings.  In the event of liquidation, after satisfaction of liabilities to creditors, our assets will be distributed to the holders of our ordinary shares in proportion to the paid up nominal value of their respective holdings. Such rights may be affected by the grant of preferential dividend or distribution rights to the holders of a class of shares with preferential rights that may be authorized in the future by the shareholders.
 
Generally, pursuant to the Israeli Companies Law, the decision to distribute dividends and the amount to be distributed, whether interim or final, is made by the board of directors.  Accordingly, under Article 52 of our Articles of Association, our Board of Directors has the authority to determine the amount and time for payment of interim dividends and final dividends.
 
Under the Israeli Companies Law, dividends may be paid only out of a company’s net profits for the two years preceding the distribution of the dividends, or from accumulated retained earnings, calculated in the manner prescribed in the Israeli Companies Law.  Pursuant to the Israeli Companies Law, in any distribution of dividends, our Board of Directors is required to determine that there is no reasonable concern that the distribution of dividends will prevent us from meeting our existing and foreseeable obligations as they become due.  Our Articles of Association provide that no dividends shall be paid otherwise than out of our profits and that any such dividend shall carry no interest.  In addition, upon the recommendation of our Board of Directors, approved by the shareholders, we may cause dividends to be paid in kind.
 
Our shareholders have the right to share in our profits distributed as a dividend and any other permitted distribution, if any.

Annual and Special General Meetings
 
Record Date for General Meeting
 
Under the regulations promulgated under the Israeli Companies Law, for the purpose of a shareholder vote, the record date for companies traded outside of Israel, such as our company, can be set between four and 40 days before the date of the meeting.
 
Notice of General Meetings; Omission to Give Notice
 
The Companies Law provides that a company whose shares are traded on an exchange must give notice of a general meeting to its shareholders of record at least 21 and in certain instances up to 35 days prior to the meeting, unless the company’s articles provide that a notice need not be sent. Accordingly, Article 25(a) of our Articles of Association provides that not less than 21 days’ prior notice shall be given to shareholders of record of every general meeting of shareholders. It further provides that notice of a general meeting of shareholders shall be given in accordance with any law and otherwise as the Board of Directors may determine. In addition, Article 25(c) of our Articles of Association provides that no shareholder present, in person or by proxy, at the commencement of a general meeting of shareholders shall be entitled to seek the revocation of any proceedings or resolutions adopted at such general meeting of shareholders on grounds of any defect in the notice of such meeting relating to the time or the place thereof.
 
 
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Annual General Meetings and Special General Meetings
 
Under the Israeli Companies Law, an annual meeting of the shareholders should be held once in every calendar year and not more than 15 months from the last annual meeting. The Israeli Companies Law  provides that a special meeting of shareholders must be called by the board of directors upon the written request of (i) two directors, (ii) one-fourth of the serving directors, (iii) one or more shareholders who hold(s) at least five percent of the issued share capital and at least one percent of the voting power of the company, or (iv) one or more shareholders who have at least five percent of the voting power of the company. Within 21 days of receipt of such demand, the board of directors is required to convene the special meeting for a time not later than 35 days after notice has been given to the shareholders. Article 24 of our Articles of Association provides that our Board of Directors may call a special meeting of the shareholders at any time and shall be obligated to call a special meeting as specified above.
 
Quorum at General Meetings
 
Under Article 26(b) of our Articles of Association, the required quorum for any general meeting of shareholders and for any class meeting is two or more shareholders present in person or by proxy and holding at least twenty five percent (25%) of the issued shares (or of the issued shares of such class in the event of a class meeting). The required quorum in a meeting that was adjourned because a quorum was not present, shall be two shareholders present in person or by proxy. Under Article 26(c) of our Articles of Association, if the original meeting was called as a special meeting, the quorum in the adjourned meeting shall be one or more shareholders, present in person or by proxy and holding the number of shares required to call such a meeting.
 
Adoption of Resolutions at General Meetings
 
Article 28(b) of our Articles of Association provides for voting by a written ballot only. In addition, Article 28(c), in accordance with the Companies Law, provides that the declaration of the Chairman of the Meeting as to the results of a vote is not considered to be conclusive, but rather prima facie evidence of the fact. Under our Articles of Association, any resolution of the shareholders, except a resolution for a voluntary liquidation of the company and, in certain circumstances, a resolution to amend our Articles of Association, shall be deemed adopted if approved by the vote of the holders of a majority of the voting power represented at such meeting in person or by proxy.
 
Election and Removal of Directors
 
Under our Articles, the ordinary shares do not have cumulative voting rights in the election of directors.
 
Under our Articles of Association, our Board of Directors shall consist of not less than five and not more than nine directors as shall be determined from time to time by a majority vote at the general meeting of our shareholders.  Unless resolved otherwise, our Board of Directors is be comprised of nine directors, if four directors are appointed by beneficial owners of 14% or more of our issued and outstanding ordinary shares as set forth below, or seven directors, if fewer than four directors are appointed by beneficial owners of 14% or more of our issued and outstanding ordinary shares as set forth below.
 
Our Articles further provide that each beneficial owner of 14% or more of our issued and outstanding ordinary shares shall be entitled to appoint, at each annual general meeting of our shareholders, one member to our Board of Directors referred to as Appointed Director, provided that a total of not more than four Appointed Directors are so appointed.  In the event more than four such qualifying beneficial owners notify us that they desire to appoint an Appointed Director, only the four shareholders beneficially owning the greatest number of shares shall each be entitled to appoint an Appointed Director.
 
 
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For the purposes of the preceding paragraph, a “beneficial owner” of ordinary shares means any person or entity who, directly or indirectly, has the power to vote, or to direct the voting of, such ordinary shares.  All ordinary shares beneficially owned by a person or entity, regardless of the form which such beneficial ownership takes, shall be aggregated in calculating the number of ordinary shares beneficially owned by such person or entity. All persons and entities that are affiliates (as defined below) of each other shall be deemed to be one person or entity for the purposes of this definition. For the purposes of the preceding paragraph, an “affiliate” means, with respect to any person or entity, any other person or entity controlling, controlled by, or under common control with such person or entity.  “Control” shall have the meaning ascribed to it in the Israeli Securities Law – 1968, i.e., the ability to direct the acts of a company. Any person holding one half or more of the voting power of a company of the right to appoint directors or to appoint the chief executive officer is presumed to have control of the company.
 
The Articles further stipulate that as a condition to the appointment of an Appointed Director, any appointing shareholder that delivers to our company a letter of appointment shall, prior to such delivery, be required to file with the SEC a Schedule 13D, or an amendment to its Schedule 13D if there is any change in the facts set forth in its Schedule 13D already on file with the SEC which discloses any such change in its holdings of ordinary shares, regardless of whether any filing or amendment is required to be filed under the rules of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.  In addition, any Appointing Shareholder shall be obligated to notify us in writing of any sale, transfer, assignment or other disposition of any kind of ordinary shares by such appointing shareholder that results in the reduction of its beneficial ownership to below the percentage indicated above, immediately after the occurrence of such disposition of shares but in any event not later than the earliest of (i) ten (10) days thereafter, or (ii) the next Annual General Meeting. Without derogating from the foregoing, so long as an Appointed Director serves on the Board of Directors, the appointing shareholder which appointed such Appointed Director shall provide us, upon our written request at any time and from time to time, with reasonable evidence of its beneficial ownership in the our company.
 
Under our Articles of Association, so long as our ordinary shares are listed for trading on NASDAQ, we may require that any Appointed Director qualify as an “independent director” as provided for in the NASDAQ rules then in effect. In addition, in no event may a person become an Appointed Director unless such person does not, at the time of appointment, and did not, within two years prior thereto, engage, directly or indirectly, in any activity which competes with us, whether as a director, officer, employee, contractor, consultant, partner or otherwise.
 
Under our Articles of Association, the annual general meeting of our shareholders, by the vote of the holders of a majority of the voting power represented at such meeting in person or by proxy, will elect the remaining members of the Board of Directors. At any annual general meeting at which Appointed Directors are appointed as set forth above, the calculation of the vote of any beneficial owner who appointed a director pursuant to the preceding paragraph shall not take into consideration, for the purpose of electing the remaining directors, ordinary shares constituting 14% of our issued and outstanding ordinary shares held by such appointing beneficial owner.
 
Appointed Directors may be removed by our Board of Directors when the beneficial ownership of the shareholder who appointed such Appointed Director falls below 14% of our ordinary shares. In addition, the office of an Appointed Director will expire upon the removal of the Appointed Director by the shareholder who appointed such Appointed Director or when the Appointed Director ceases to qualify as an “independent director” as set forth above.

Article 39 of our Articles of Association further provides that the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares then represented at a general meeting of shareholders shall be entitled to remove director(s) other than Appointed Directors from office (unless pursuant to circumstances or events prescribed under the Companies Law), to elect directors instead of directors so removed or to fill any vacancy, however created, in the Board of Directors. Subject to the foregoing and to early resignation or ipso facto termination of office as provided in Article 42 of our Articles of Association, each director shall serve until the adjournment of the of the annual general meeting next following the general meeting at which such director was elected.

 
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Our directors may, at any time and from time to time, appoint a director to temporarily fill a vacancy on the Board of Directors or in addition to their body (subject to the maximum number of directors in the Board of Directors as set forth above), except that if the number of directors then in office constitutes less than a majority of the number provided for entire board of directors, as set forth above, they may only act in an emergency, or to fill the vacancy up to the minimum number required to effect corporate action or in order to call a general meeting for the purpose of electing directors.

Qualification of Directors

Article 40 of our Articles of Association provides that no person shall be disqualified to serve as a director by reason of him not holding shares in our company or by reason of him having served as director in the past. Our directors are not subject under the Israeli Companies Law or our Articles of Association to an age limit requirement. Under the Companies Law, a person cannot serve as a director if he has been convicted of certain offenses, unless specifically authorized by the court, or if he has been declared bankrupt.

Borrowing Powers

The Israeli Companies Law authorizes the board of directors of a company, among other things, to determine the credit limit of a company and to issue bonds. Article 35(b) of our Articles of Association states that our Board of Directors may, from time to time, at its discretion, cause us to borrow or secure the payment of any sum or sums of money, and may secure or provide for the repayment of such sum or sums in such manner, at such times and upon such terms and conditions as it deems fit.
 
Foreign Ownership
 
Neither our Articles of Association nor Israeli law restrict in any way the ownership of our ordinary shares by nonresidents of Israel, or restrict the voting or other rights of nonresidents of Israel. Notwithstanding, under Israeli law, nationals of certain countries that are, or have been, in a state of war with Israel may not be recognized as owners of ordinary shares, without a special government permit.
 
Anti-Takeover Provisions Under Israeli Law
 
The Israeli Companies Law provides that an acquisition of shares in our company must be made by means of a tender offer, if, as a result of the acquisition, the purchaser would become a holder of 25% or more of the voting rights in our company. This rule does not apply if there is already another holder of 25% percent of the voting rights. Similarly, the Israeli Companies Law provides that an acquisition of our shares must be made by means of a tender offer, if, as a result of the acquisition, a person would become a holder of 45% of the voting rights in our company, unless there is another person holding at that time more than 45% of the voting rights of our company.
 
The Israeli Companies Law provides for mergers between Israeli companies, if each party to the transaction obtains the appropriate approval of its board of directors and shareholders. A “merger” is defined in the Companies Law as a transfer of all assets and liabilities (including conditional, future, known and unknown liabilities) of a target company to another company, the consequence of which is the dissolution of the target company in accordance with the provisions of the Companies Law. For purposes of the shareholder vote of each merging entity, unless a court rules otherwise, the merger requires the approval of a majority of the shares of that entity that are not held by the other entity or are not held by any person who holds 25% or more of the shares or the right to appoint 25% or more of the directors of the other entity. Article 69A of our Articles of Association provides that a merger requires the approval of the holders of a majority of the shares voting thereon.
 
 
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Modification of Rights Attached to Shares
 
The rights attached to any class of shares (unless otherwise provided by the terms of issue of such class), such as voting, dividends and the like, may be modified by the affirmative vote of a majority of the issued shares of the class at a general meeting of the holders of the shares of such class.
 
Companies Law Amendment
 
In March 2011, the Israeli Parliament adopted Amendment No. 16 to the Israeli Companies Law, or the Companies Law Amendment. The Companies Law Amendment implements a comprehensive reform in corporate governance in Israel. Most of the provisions of the Companies Law Amendment will become effective on May 14, 2011.

A summary of the principal changes introduced by the Companies Law Amendment is set forth below:
 
·
Audit Committee. A majority of an Audit Committee must be comprised of “independent directors” (as such term is defined in the Companies Law); any person regularly engaged by or rendering services to a controlling shareholder may not serve on the Audit Committee.
 
The functions to be performed by the audit committee were expanded to include, inter alia, the following: determination whether certain related party actions and transactions are "material" or "extraordinary" in connection with their approval procedures, to assess the scope of work and compensation of the company's independent accountant, to assess the company's internal audit system and the performance of its internal auditor and to set whistle blower procedures (including in respect of the protections afforded to whistle blowers);
 
·
External Directors. The initial three-year term of service of External Directors can be extended, at the election of a company subject to certain conditions, by two additional three-year terms. External Directors will be elected by a majority vote at a shareholders’ meeting, provided that either the majority of shares voted at the meeting, including at least one-half (instead of one-third, as under the current law) of the shares held by non-controlling shareholders voted at the meeting, vote in favor; or the total number of shares held by non-controlling shareholders voted against does not exceed two percent (instead of one percent, as under current law) of the aggregate voting rights in the company.
 
External Directors may be re-elected for additional terms by means of one of the following mechanisms: (i) the board of directors proposed the nominee and his appointment was approved by the shareholders in the manner required to appoint external directors for their initial term (which was the only available way to re-elect external directors prior to the adoption of Amendment No. 16), or (ii) a shareholder holding 1% or more of the voting rights proposed the nominee, and the nominee is approved by a majority of the votes cast by the shareholders of the company, excluding the votes of controlling shareholders and those who have a personal interest in the matter as a result of their relations with the controlling shareholders, provided that, the aggregate votes cast by shareholders who are not controlling shareholders and do not have a personal interest in the matter as a result of their relations with the controlling shareholders in favor of the nominee constitute more than 2% of the voting rights in the company;
 
The independence requirements of External Directors were enhanced such that an individual may not be appointed as an External Director in a company that does not have a controlling shareholder, in the event that he has affiliation, at the time of his appointment, to the chairman, chief executive officer, a 5% shareholder or the chief financial officer; in addition, an individual may not be appointed as an External Director if his relative, partner, employer, supervisor, or an entity he controls, has other than negligible business or professional relations with any of the persons with which the External Director himself may not be affiliated.
 
 
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·
Extraordinary Transactions. Extraordinary transactions with a controlling shareholder or in which a controlling shareholder has a personal interest, and agreements relating to employment and compensation of a controlling shareholder, require shareholders’ approval that shall either include at least one- half (instead of one-third, as under current law) of the shares held by disinterested shareholders participating in the vote, or, alternatively, the total shareholdings of disinterested shareholders voting against the transaction must not represent more than two percent (instead of one percent, as under current law) of the voting rights; agreements relating to engagement or provision of services for a period exceeding three years, must generally be approved once every three years.
 
·
Code of Corporate Conduct. A code of recommended corporate governance practices has been attached to the Companies Law Amendment.
 
·
Fines. The Israeli Securities Authority shall be authorized to impose fines on any person or company breaching certain provisions designated under the Companies Law Amendment.

·
CEO and Chairman. A higher shareholder approval threshold was adopted to permit a chief executive officer to also serve as chairman of the board and for the chairman of the board to serve as the CEO, and a prohibition was adopted on the chairman's ability to serve the company in any capacity other than as the chief executive officer.
 
·
Officers’ employment. The terms of employment of an officer now require the approval of the audit committee as well as the board of directors.

·
Tender offers: With respect to full tender offers (tender offers for the acquisition of all outstanding shares in a company), the time-frame for a shareholder to a request appraisal rights with respect to the tender offer was extended from three to six months following the consummation of a the tender, but it is now permitted for the acquirer to stipulate in the offer that any shareholder tendering his shares will not be entitled to appraisal rights.
 
Securities Law Amendment
 
On February 27, 2011, an amendment to the Israeli Securities Law- 1968, which applies to Israeli public companies, including companies the securities of which are also listed on the NASDAQ Markets. The main purpose of the Securities Law Amendment is to create an administrative enforcement procedure to be used by the Israeli Securities Authority, or  ISA, to enhance the efficacy of enforcement in the securities market in Israel. The new administrative enforcement procedure may be applied to any company or person, including a director, officer or shareholder of a company, performing any of the actions specifically designated as breaches of law under the Securities Law Amendment.

The Securities Law Amendment also requires that the chief executive officer of a company supervise and take all reasonable measures to prevent the company or any of its employees from breaching the Israeli Securities Law. The chief executive officer is presumed to have fulfilled such supervisory duty if the company adopts internal enforcement procedures designed to prevent such breaches, appoints a representative to supervise the implementation of such procedures and takes measures to correct the breach and prevent its reoccurrence.

Under the Securities Law Amendment, a company cannot obtain insurance against or indemnify a third party, including its officers and/or employees, for any administrative procedure and/or monetary fine other than for payment of damages to an injured party.  The Securities Law Amendment permits insurance and/or indemnification for expenses related to an administrative procedure, such as reasonable legal fees, provided that it is permitted under the company's articles of association.

 
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We are currently examining the implications of the Securities Law Amendment; however, its effect and consequences, as well as our scope of exposure, are yet to be determined in practice. There is no assurance that we will not be required to take certain actions in order to enhance our compliance with the provisions of this amendment, such as adopting and implementing an internal enforcement plan to reduce our exposure to potential breaches of the Israeli Securities Law, or amending our articles of association to permit insurance and/or indemnification as contemplated by this amendment.
 
C.
Material Contracts
 
While we have numerous contracts with customers and distributors we do not deem any such individual contract to be material.
 
D. 
Exchange Controls
 
The Israeli Currency Control Law, 5738-1978 provides that transactions in foreign currencies, and transactions with foreign residents, require a permit. Since 1998, when a new “general permit” was issued under the law, there have been no Israeli currency control restrictions on payments of dividends or other distributions with respect to our ordinary shares or the proceeds from the sale of the shares, except for the obligation of Israeli residents to file reports with the Bank of Israel regarding certain transactions.
 
E. 
Taxation
 
The following is a discussion of Israeli and United States tax consequences material to our shareholders.  To the extent that the discussion is based on new tax legislation which has not been subject to judicial or administrative interpretation, the views expressed in the discussion might not be accepted by the tax authorities in question.  The discussion is not intended, and should not be construed, as legal or professional tax advice and does not exhaust all possible tax considerations.
 
Holders of our ordinary shares should consult their own tax advisors as to the United States, Israeli or other tax consequences of the purchase, ownership and disposition of ordinary shares, including, in particular, the effect of any foreign, state or local taxes.
 
ISRAELI TAX CONSIDERATIONS
 
The following is a summary of certain Israeli income tax and capital gains tax consequences for non-Israeli residents as well as Israeli residents holding our ordinary shares. The summary is based on provisions of the Israeli Income Tax Ordinance (new version), 1961 and regulations promulgated thereunder, as well as on administrative and judicial interpretations, all as currently in effect, and all of which are subject to change (possibly with retroactive effect) and to differing interpretations. There might be changes in the tax rates and in the circumstances in which they apply, and other modifications which might change the tax consequences to you. The summary is intended for general purposes only, and does not relate to all relevant tax aspects. The discussion is not intended and should not be construed as legal or professional tax sufficient for decision making. This summary does not discuss all aspects of Israeli income and capital gain taxation that may be applicable to investors in light of their particular circumstances or to investors who are subject to special status or treatment under Israeli tax law.

FOR THE FOREGOING AND OTHER REASONS, YOU ARE URGED TO CONSULT YOUR OWN TAX ADVISOR REGARDING THE TAX CONSEQUENCES OF YOUR HOLDINGS. WE ARE NOT MAKING ANY REPRESENTATIONS REGARDING THE PARTICULAR TAX CONSEQUENCES AS TO ANY HOLDER, NOR ARE WE OR OUR ADVISORS RENDERING ANY FORM OF LEGAL OPINION OR PROFESSIONAL TAX ADVICE AS TO SUCH TAX CONSEQUENCES.

 
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Taxable income of Israeli companies was subject to tax at the rate of 27% in 2008, 26% in 2009, and 25% in 2010. This rate is about to decline gradually as follows:  2011 - 24%, 2012 - 23%, 2013 - 22%, 2014 - 21%, 2015 - 20%, 2016 and thereafter - 18%.
 
Israeli Tax Consequences of Holding Our Stock
 
Non-Israeli residents

Non-Israeli residents are subject to tax on income accrued or derived from Israeli sources. These include, inter alia, dividends, royalties and interest, as well as other types of income (e.g., from provision of services in Israel). We are required to withhold income tax on such payments to non-residents. Israel presently has no estate or gift tax.

Capital Gains

Israeli law generally imposes a capital gains tax on capital gains derived from the sale of securities and other Israeli capital assets, including shares in Israeli resident companies, unless a specific exemption is available or unless a treaty between Israel and the country of the non-resident provides otherwise. Capital gains from sales of our ordinary shares will be tax exempt for non-Israeli residents provided certain conditions are met (one of these conditions is that the gains are not derived through a permanent establishment that the non-resident maintains in Israel).

For residents of the United States holding less than 10% of our shares at any time in the twelve months before the sale, under the treaty between Israel and the U.S., capital gains from the sale of capital assets are generally exempt from Israeli capital gains tax with respect to the exceptions stated in the treaty.

Dividends

As of January 1, 2006, income tax on distributions of dividends other than bonus shares (stock dividends) is at the rate of 20% for dividends paid to an individual or a foreign corporation who is not a substantial shareholder (i.e., one who holds, directly or indirectly, alone or together with another person at least 10% un one or more of the means of control in a company), 25% for dividends paid to a substantial shareholder, and 15% for dividends distributed out of income generated by a beneficial enterprise.  A different withholding tax rate may apply, based on a tax treaty between Israel and shareholder's country of residence.

Under the U.S.- Israel tax treaty, the maximum tax on dividends paid to a holder of ordinary shares who is a U.S. resident will be 25%. However, the maximum tax rate on dividends not generated by a beneficial enterprise paid to a US corporation holding at least 10% of our voting power is 12.5%. As long as our shares are listed on a stock exchange, the maximum withholding tax rate will be 20%.

Interest

Interest paid by us (e.g., on our convertible notes) should be treated as stemming from an Israeli source and be subject to Israeli tax.  Accordingly interest withholding tax should apply at the standard rate of 25%. A 20% withholding tax should apply to interest paid to individuals who are not substantial shareholders.  The withholding tax rate may be reduced under tax treaty.
 
Under the treaty between Israel and the United States the maximum withholding tax rate on interest paid to a U.S. resident (as defined in the treaty) holding our convertible notes should be 17.5%. For residents of other countries who are not substantial shareholders, unless a different rate is provided in a treaty between Israel and the country of residence of such holder of our convertible notes, the maximum tax that we are required to withhold is 25% on all distributions of interest. In some instances (e.g., where the recipient of the interest is an individual who is a substantial shareholder) a higher tax rate should apply.

 
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Filing of Tax Returns in Israel

Non-Israeli resident who receives interest, dividend or royalty income derived or accrued in Israel, from which tax was withheld, should generally be exempt from Israeli tax filing obligation, provided such income was not derived by him from a business conducted in Israel.

Israeli Residents

Capital Gains

Israeli law imposes capital gains tax on capital gains derived from the sale of securities and other capital assets, including shares. Gains from sales of ordinary shares acquired after December 31, 2002, are subject to 20% capital gains tax (25% for substantial shareholder) for individuals. Israeli companies that were subject to the Income Tax Law (Inflation Adjustments) - 1985 (the "Adjustment Law") prior to the publication of Amendment No. 147 are subject to corporate tax rate on capital gain driven from the sale of our ordinary shares, Israeli companies that were not subject to the Adjustment law prior to the publication of Amendment No. 147 are subject to capital gain tax at a rate of 25% in connection with the sale of our ordinary shares. If our ordinary shares were purchased prior to January 1, 2003, different taxation will apply. Certain withholding obligations may apply on the sale of our shares.

Dividends

Dividend income generated by an Approved Enterprise is subject to income tax at a rate of 15%. Starting January 1, 2006, the distribution of dividend income generated by other sources, other than bonus shares (stock dividends), to Israeli residents who purchased our Shares will generally be subject to income tax at a rate of 20% for individuals (25% for substantial shareholder) and will be exempt from income tax for corporations provided the dividend was paid out of income generated in Israel. We may be required to withhold income tax at the maximum rate of up to 25% (0% for Israeli corporations provided the dividend was paid out of income generated in Israel.) on all such distributions (15% for dividends generated by an Approved Enterprise).

Interest

Interest income is generally subject to 20% tax for individuals (the marginal tax rate for substantial shareholder and 15% if certain conditions apply) and the standard corporate income tax rate applicable for companies at that year. We may be required to withhold tax on interest payments of up to the applicable corporate tax rate for companies, and in certain instances up to the marginal tax rate for individuals.

Tax Benefits under the Law for the Encouragement of Capital Investments, 1959

Tax benefits prior to the amendment of 2005

The Law for the Encouragement of Capital Investments, 1959, as in effect prior to April 1, 2005 (the "Investments Law"), provides that a capital investment in eligible facilities may, upon application to the Investment Center of the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Labor of the State of Israel, be designated as an approved enterprise. The Investment Center bases its decision as to whether or not to approve an application, among other things, on the criteria set forth in the Investments Law and regulations, the then prevailing policy of the Investment Center, and the specific objectives and financial criteria of the applicant. Each certificate of approval for an approved enterprise relates to a specific investment program delineated both by its financial scope, including its capital sources, and by its physical characteristics, e.g., the equipment to be purchased and utilized pursuant to the program.

 
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The Investments Law provides that an approved enterprise is eligible for tax benefits on taxable income derived from its approved enterprise programs. The tax benefits under the Investments Law also apply to income generated by a company from the grant of a usage right with respect to know-how developed by the approved enterprise, income generated from royalties, and income derived from a service which is related to such usage right or royalties, provided that such income is generated within the approved enterprise's ordinary course of business. If a company has more than one approval or only a portion of its capital investments are approved, its effective tax rate is in general the result of a weighted average of the applicable rates. The tax benefits under the Investments Law might be restricted with respect to income derived from products manufactured outside of Israel. In addition, the tax benefits available to an approved enterprise are contingent upon the fulfillment of conditions stipulated in the Investments Law and regulations and the criteria set forth in the specific certificate of approval, as described above. In the event that a company does not meet these conditions, it would be required to refund the amount of tax benefits, plus a consumer price index linkage adjustment and interest.

The Investments Law also provides that an approved enterprise is entitled to accelerated depreciation on its property and equipment that are included in an approved enterprise program in the first five years of using the equipment.

Taxable income of a company derived from an approved enterprise is subject to corporate tax at the maximum rate of 25%, rather than the regular corporate tax rate, for the benefit period. This period is ordinarily seven years commencing with the year in which the approved enterprise first generates taxable income after the commencement of production, and is limited to 12 years from commencement of production or 14 years from the date of approval, whichever is earlier (the "year's limitation").

Should we derive income from sources other than the "approved enterprise" during the relevant period of benefits, such income will be taxable at the regular corporate tax rates.

Under certain circumstances (as further detailed below), the benefit period may extend to a maximum of ten years from the commencement of the benefit period.

A company may elect to receive an alternative package of benefits. Under the alternative package of benefits, a company's undistributed income derived from the approved enterprise will be exempt from corporate tax for a period of between 2 and 10 years from the first year the company derives taxable income under the program, after the commencement of production, depending on the geographic location of the approved enterprise within Israel, and such company will be eligible for a reduced tax rate for the remainder of the benefits period (but not more than a maximum of 7 to 10 years in total). The limitation of years, as mentioned above, does not apply to the exemption period.

A company that has elected the alternative package of benefits, such as us, that subsequently pays a dividend out of income derived from the approved enterprise(s) during the tax exemption period will be subject to corporate tax in the year the dividend is distributed in respect of the gross amount distributed, at the rate which would have been applicable had the company not elected the alternative package of benefits, (generally 10%-25%, depending on the percentage of the company's ordinary shares held by foreign shareholders). The dividend recipient is subject to withholding tax at the reduced rate of 15% applicable to dividends from approved enterprises, if the dividend is distributed during the tax exemption period or within 12 years thereafter. In the event, however, that the company is qualifies as a Foreign Investors' Company, there is no such time limitation.

A company that has an approved enterprise program is eligible for further tax benefits if it qualifies as a foreign investors company. A foreign investors company is a company which, among others, more than 25% of its share capital, including shareholders' loans, is owned by non-Israeli residents. A company that qualifies as a foreign investors company and has an approved enterprise program is eligible for tax benefits for a 10 year benefit period.

Tax benefits under the 2005 Amendment

On April 1, 2005, a comprehensive amendment to the investment law came into effect, (the "Amendment"). The Amendment includes revisions to the criteria for investments qualified to receive tax benefits as an Approved Enterprise. The Amendment applies to new investment programs and investment programs commencing after 2004, and does not apply to investment programs approved prior to December 31, 2004.
 
 
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However, a company that was granted benefits according to section 51 of the Investment Law (prior the Amendment) would not be allowed to choose a new tax year as a Year of Election (as described below) under the Amendment, for a period of two years from the company’s previous Year of Commencement under the old investment law.

As a result of the Amendment, it is no longer necessary for a company to acquire approved enterprise status in order to receive the tax benefits previously available under the alternative route, and therefore such companies do not need to apply to the Investment Center for this purpose. Rather, a company wishing to receive the tax benefits afforded to a Benefited Enterprise is required to select the tax year from which the period of benefits under the Investment Law are to commence by notifying the Israeli Tax Authority within 12 months of the end of that year, provided that its facilities meet the criteria for tax benefits set out by the Amendment, or a Benefited Enterprise. Companies are also granted a right to approach the Israeli Tax Authority for a pre-ruling regarding their eligibility for benefits under the Amendment. The Amendment includes provisions attempting to ensure that a company will not enjoy both Government grants and tax benefits for the same investment program

The Amendment simplifies the approval process: according the Amendment, only Approved Enterprises receiving cash grants require the approval of the Investment Center. The Investment Center was entitled, to approve such programs only until December 31, 2007.

The Amendment does not apply to benefits included in any certificate of approval that was granted before the Amendment came into effect, which will remain subject to the provisions of the Investment Law as they were on the date of such approval.

Tax benefits are available under the Amendment to production facilities (or other eligible facilities), which are generally required to derive more than 25% of their business income from export (referred to as a "Benefited Enterprise"). In order to receive the tax benefits, the Amendment states that the company must make an investment in the Benefited Enterprise exceeding a certain percentage or a minimum amount specified in the Law. Such investment may be made over a period of no more than three years ending at the end of the year in which the company requested to have the tax benefits apply to the Benefited Enterprise, or the Year of Election. If the company requests to have the tax benefits apply to an expansion of existing facilities, then only the expansion will be considered a Benefited Enterprise and in general the company's effective tax rate will be the result of a weighted combination of the applicable tax rates. In this case, the minimum investment required in order to qualify as a Benefited Enterprise is required to exceed a minimum amount or a certain percentage of the company's production assets at the end of the year before the expansion.

The duration of tax benefits is subject to a limitation of the earlier of 7 to 10 years from the Commencement Year, or 12 years from the first day of the Year of Election. The tax benefits granted to a Benefited Enterprise are determined, as applicable to its geographic location within Israel, according to one of the following new tax routes, which may be applicable to us:

 
·
Similar to the alternative route, exemption from corporate tax on undistributed income for a period of two to ten years, depending on the geographic location of the Benefited Enterprise within Israel, and a reduced corporate tax rate of 10% to 25% for the remainder of the benefits period, depending on the level of foreign investment in each year. Benefits may be granted for a term of seven or ten years, depending on the level of foreign investment in the company. If the company pays a dividend out of income derived from the Benefited Enterprise during the tax exemption period, such income will be subject to corporate tax at the applicable rate (10%-25%) in respect of the grossed up amount of the dividend that we may distribute. The company is required to withhold tax at a rate of 15% from any dividends distributed from income derived from the Benefited Enterprise; and
 
 
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·
A special tax route, which enables companies owning facilities in certain geographical locations in Israel to pay corporate tax at the rate of 11.5% on income of the Benefited Enterprise. The benefits period is ten years. Upon payment of dividends, the company is required to withhold tax at a rate of 15% for Israeli residents and at a rate of 4% for foreign residents.

If we are granted new benefits in the future, we will be subject to the first route.

Generally, a company that is "Abundant in Foreign Investment" (as defined in the Investments Law) is entitled to an extension of the benefits period by an additional five years, depending on the rate of its income that is derived in foreign currency.

The Amendment changes the definition of "foreign investment" in the Investments Law so that the definition now requires a minimal investment of NIS 5 million by foreign investors. Furthermore, such definition now also includes the purchase of shares of a company from another shareholder, provided that the company's outstanding and paid-up share capital exceeds NIS 5 million. Such changes to the aforementioned definition will take effect retroactively from 2003.

The Amendment will apply to approved enterprise programs in which the year of election under the Investments Law is 2004 or later, unless such programs received approval from the Investment Center on or prior to December 31, 2004, in which case the Amendment provides that the terms and benefits included in any certificate of approval already granted will remain subject to the provisions of the law as they were on the date of such approval.

As a result of the Amendment, tax-exempt income generated under the provisions of the Amendment will be subject to taxes upon distribution or liquidation and we may be required in the future to record deferred tax liability with respect to such tax-exempt income.
 
The 2011 amendment
 
Recently, new legislation that constitutes a major amendment to the Investment Law was published. Under the new legislation, a uniform rate of corporate tax would apply to all qualified income of certain Industrial Companies, as opposed to the current law's incentives that are limited to income from Approved Enterprises during their benefits period. According to the new law, the uniform tax rate would be 10% in areas in Israel that will be designated as Development Zone A and 15% elsewhere in Israel during 2011-2012, 7% and 12.5%, respectively, in 2013-2014,  and 6% and 12%, respectively, thereafter. Certain "Special Industrial Companies" that meet certain criteria would enjoy further reduced tax rates of 5% in Zone A and 8% elsewhere. The profits of these Industrial Companies would be freely distributable as dividends, subject to a 15% withholding tax (or lower, under an applicable tax treaty).

Under the transitory provisions of the new legislation, we may opt whether to irrevocably implement the new law in each of its Israeli companies while waiving benefits provided under the current law or keep implementing the current law during the next years. Changing from the current law to the new law is permissible at any stage.
 
Israeli Transfer Pricing Regulations
 
Israeli transfer pricing legislation generally provides that all cross-border transactions carried out between related parties be conducted on an arm’s length principle basis and will be taxed accordingly.  The TP Regs are not expected to have a material effect on our company.

 
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U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS
 
The following discussion is a general summary of certain U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to U.S. Holders (as defined below) of ordinary shares, who hold such ordinary shares as capital assets (generally, property held for investment). This summary is based on provisions of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code, or the Code, existing and proposed U.S. Treasury regulations and administrative and judicial interpretations in effect as of the date of this annual report and the U.S. - Israel Tax Treaty. All of these authorities are subject to change (possibly with retroactive effect) and to differing interpretations. In addition, this summary does not discuss non-U.S. tax implications or U.S. state tax implications, no does it discuss all aspects of U.S. federal income taxation that may be applicable to investors in light of their particular circumstances or to investors who are subject to special treatment under U.S. federal income tax law, including:
 
 
·
insurance companies;
 
 
·
dealers in stocks or securities;
 
 
·
financial institutions;
 
 
·
tax-exempt organizations;
 
 
·
regulated investment companies or real estate investment trusts;
 
 
·
persons subject to the alternative minimum tax;
 
 
·
persons who hold ordinary shares through partnerships or other pass-through entities;
 
 
·
persons holding their shares as part of a straddle or appreciated financial position or as part of a  hedging or conversion transaction;
 
 
·
persons who acquired their ordinary shares through the exercise or cancellation of employee stock options or otherwise as compensation for services;
 
 
·
non-residents aliens of the U.S. or persons having a functional currency other than the U.S. dollar; or
 
 
·
direct, indirect or constructive owners of 10% or more of the outstanding voting shares of our company.
 
If a partnership or an entity treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes owns ordinary shares, the U.S. federal income tax treatment of a partner in such a partnership will generally depend upon the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. A partnership that owns ordinary shares and the partners in such partnership should consult their tax advisors about the U.S. federal income tax consequences of holding and disposing of ordinary shares.

THE FOLLOWING SUMMARY DOES NOT ADDRESS THE IMPACT OF A U.S.  HOLDER'S INDIVIDUAL TAX CIRCUMSTANCES. ACCORDINGLY, EACH U.S. HOLDER IS URGED TO CONSULT HIS OR HER TAX ADVISOR AS TO THE PARTICULAR TAX CONSEQUENCES TO HIM OR HER OF AN INVESTMENT IN THE ORDINARY SHARES, INCLUDING THE EFFECTS OF APPLICABLE STATE, LOCAL OR NON-U.S. TAX LAWS AND POSSIBLE CHANGES IN THE TAX LAWS.

As used herein, the term “U.S. Holder” means a beneficial owner of an ordinary share who is, for U.S. federal income tax purposes:
 
 
·
a citizen or, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, a resident of the United States;
 
 
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·
a corporation created or organized in or under the laws of the United States or any political subdivision thereof;
 
 
·
an estate, the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source; or
 
 
·
a trust if (i) (A) a U.S. court is able to exercise primary supervision over the trust’s administration and (B) one or more U.S. persons have the authority to control all of the trust’s substantial decisions, or (ii) it has a valid election in effect under applicable U.S. Treasury regulations to be treated as a U.S. person.
 
Dividends Paid on Ordinary Shares
 
Subject to the discussion of the passive foreign investment company or PFIC rules below, a U.S. Holder generally will be required to include in gross income as ordinary dividend income the amount of any distributions paid on the ordinary shares (including the amount of any Israeli taxes withheld) to the extent that such distributions are paid out of our current or accumulated earnings and profits as determined for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Distributions in excess of our earnings and profits will be applied against and will reduce the U.S. Holder’s tax basis in its ordinary shares and, to the extent they are in excess of such tax basis, will be treated as gain from a sale or exchange of such ordinary shares. Our dividends will not qualify for the dividends-received deduction otherwise available to U.S. corporations. In the event that we pay cash dividends, such dividends will be paid in Israeli currency.  Dividends paid in NIS (including the amount of any Israeli taxes withheld therefrom) will be includible in the gross income of a U.S. Holder in a U.S. dollar amount calculated by reference to the exchange rate in effect on the day they are received by the U.S. Holder. Any gain or loss resulting from currency exchange fluctuations during the period from the date the dividend is includible in the income of the U.S. Holder to the date such payment is converted into U.S. dollars generally will be treated as U.S. source ordinary income or loss.
 
Subject to certain limitations, “qualified dividend income” received by a non-corporate taxpayer generally is subject to U.S. federal income tax at a reduced maximum tax rate of 15 percent through December 31, 2012.  Dividends received with respect to ordinary shares should qualify for the 15 percent rate provided that either:  (i) we are entitled to benefits under the income tax treaty between the United States and Israel (the "Treaty"); or (ii) the ordinary shares currently are readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States. We believe that we are entitled to benefits under the Treaty and that the ordinary shares currently are readily tradable on an established securities market in the U.S.  No assurance can be given that the ordinary shares will remain readily tradable.  The rate reduction does not apply to dividends received from PFICs, see discussion below, or in respect of certain short-term or hedged positions in common stock or in certain other situations. The legislation enacting the reduced tax rate contains special rules for computing the foreign tax credit limitation of a taxpayer who receives dividends subject to the reduced tax rate, see discussion below.  U.S. Holders of ordinary shares should consult their own tax advisors regarding the effect of these rules in their particular circumstances.

Subject to complex limitations, any Israeli withholding tax imposed on dividends paid by us will be a foreign income tax eligible for credit against a U.S. Holder's U.S. federal income tax liability (or, alternatively, for deduction against income in determining such tax liability).  The limitations set out in the Code include computational rules under which foreign tax credits allowable with respect to specific classes of income cannot exceed the U.S. federal income taxes otherwise payable with respect to each such class of income.  Dividends generally will be treated as foreign-source passive category income or, in the case of certain U.S. Holders, general category income for United States foreign tax credit purposes.  Further, there are special rules for computing the foreign tax credit limitation of a taxpayer who receives dividends subject to a reduced tax, see discussion above.  A U.S. Holder will be denied a foreign tax credit with respect to Israeli income tax withheld from dividends received on the ordinary shares to the extent such U.S. Holder has not held the ordinary shares for at least 16 days of the 31-day period beginning on the date which is 15 days before the ex-dividend date or to the extent such U.S. Holder is under an obligation to make related payments with respect to substantially similar or related property.  Any days during which a U.S. Holder has substantially diminished its risk of loss on the ordinary shares are not counted toward meeting the 16-day holding period required by the statute.  The rules relating to the determination of the foreign tax credit are complex, and you should consult with your personal tax advisors to determine whether and to what extent you would be entitled to this credit.

 
103
 
 
Sale or Disposition of Ordinary Shares
 
Subject to the discussion of PFIC rules below, upon the sale or other disposition of ordinary shares, a U.S. Holder generally will recognize capital gain or loss equal to the difference between the amount realized on the disposition and such holder’s adjusted tax basis in the ordinary shares disposed of.  Gain or loss upon the disposition of ordinary shares will be long-term capital gain or loss if, at the time of the disposition, the U.S. Holder’s holding period for the ordinary shares disposed of exceeds one year. In general, any gain that you recognize on the sale or other disposition of ordinary shares will be U.S.-source for purposes of the foreign tax credit limitation; losses will generally be allocated against U.S. source income.  Deduction of capital losses is subject to certain limitations under the Code.
 
In the case of a cash basis U.S. Holder who receives NIS in connection with the sale or disposition of ordinary shares, the amount realized will be based on the U.S. dollar value of the NIS received with respect to the ordinary shares as determined on the settlement date of such exchange. A U.S. Holder who receives payment in NIS and converts NIS into United States dollars at a conversion rate other than the rate in effect on the settlement date may have a foreign currency exchange gain or loss that would be treated as ordinary income or loss.

An accrual basis U.S. Holder may elect the same treatment required of cash basis taxpayers with respect to a sale or disposition of ordinary shares, provided that the election is applied consistently from year to year.  Such election may not be changed without the consent of the Internal Revenue Service, or the IRS.  In the event that an accrual basis U.S. Holder does not elect to be treated as a cash basis taxpayer (pursuant to the Treasury regulations applicable to foreign currency transactions), such U.S. Holder may have a foreign currency gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes because of differences between the U.S. dollar value of the currency received prevailing on the trade date and the settlement date.  Any such currency gain or loss would be treated as ordinary income or loss and would be in addition to gain or loss, if any, recognized by such U.S. Holder on the sale or disposition of such ordinary shares.

Passive Foreign Investment Company
 
For U.S. federal income tax purposes, we will be considered a PFIC for any taxable year in which either (i) 75% or more of our gross income is passive income, or (ii) at least 50% of the average value of all of our assets for the taxable year produce or are held for the production of passive income. For this purpose, passive income includes dividends, interest, royalties, rents, annuities and the excess of gains over losses from the disposition of assets which produce passive income. If we were determined to be a PFIC for U.S. federal income tax purposes, highly complex rules would apply to U.S. Holders owning ordinary shares. Accordingly, you are urged to consult your tax advisors regarding the application of such rules.

Based on our current and projected income, assets and activities, we believe that we were not a PFIC in the year 2010.  However, because the determination of whether we are a PFIC is based upon the composition of our income and assets from time to time, there can be no assurances that we will not become a PFIC for any future taxable year.

If we were treated as a PFIC for any taxable year, dividends would not qualify for the reduced maximum tax rate, discussed above, and you would be required to make an annual return on IRS Form 8862.  Further,  unless you elect either to treat your investment in ordinary shares as an investment in a "qualified electing fund", or a QEF election, or to "mark-to-market" your ordinary shares, as described below:

 
·
you would be required to allocate income recognized upon receiving certain dividends or gain recognized upon the disposition of ordinary shares ratably over the holding period for such ordinary shares;
 
 
104
 
 
 
·
the amount allocated to each year during which we are considered a PFIC and subsequent years, other than the year of the dividend payment or disposition, would be subject to tax at the highest individual or corporate tax rate, as the case may be, in effect for that year and an interest charge would be imposed with respect to the resulting tax liability allocated to each such year;
 
 
·
the amount allocated to the current taxable year and any taxable year before we became a PFIC would be taxable as ordinary income in the current year, and

If you make either a timely QEF election or a timely mark-to-market election in respect of your ordinary shares, you would not be subject to the rules described above. If you make a timely QEF election, you would be required to include in your income for each taxable year your pro rata share of our ordinary earnings as ordinary income and your pro rata share of our net capital gain as long-term capital gain, whether or not such amounts are actually distributed to you.  You would not be eligible to make a QEF election unless we comply with certain applicable information reporting requirements.

Alternatively, if the ordinary shares are considered "marketable stock" and if you elect to "mark-to-market" your ordinary shares, you will generally include in income any excess of the fair market value of the ordinary shares at the close of each tax year over your adjusted basis in the ordinary shares. If the fair market value of the ordinary shares had depreciated below your adjusted basis at the close of the tax year, you may generally deduct the excess of the adjusted basis of the ordinary shares over its fair market value at that time. However, such deductions generally would be limited to the net mark-to-market gains, if any, that you included in income with respect to such ordinary shares in prior years. Income recognized and deductions allowed under the mark-to-market provisions, as well as any gain or loss on the disposition of ordinary shares with respect to which the mark-to-market election is made, is generally treated as ordinary income or loss.

Backup Withholding and Information Reporting
 
Payments in respect of ordinary shares may be subject to information reporting to the U.S. Internal Revenue Service and to U.S. backup withholding tax at a rate equal to the fourth lowest income tax rate applicable to individuals (which, under current law, is 28%).  Backup withholding will not apply, however, if you (i) are a corporation or come within certain exempt categories, and demonstrate the fact when so required, or (ii) furnish a correct taxpayer identification number and make any other required certification.

Backup withholding is not an additional tax.  Amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules may be credited against a U.S. Holder’s U.S. tax liability, and a U.S. Holder may obtain a refund of any excess amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules by filing the appropriate claim for refund with the IRS.
 
Any U.S. holder who holds 10% or more in vote or value of our ordinary shares will be subject to certain additional United States information reporting requirements.

F.            Dividend and Paying Agents
 
Not applicable.
 
G.            Statement by Experts
 
Not applicable.

H.            Documents on Display
 
We are subject to certain of the reporting requirements of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, as applicable to “foreign private issuers” as defined in Rule 3b-4 under the Exchange Act.  As a foreign private issuer, we are exempt from certain provisions of the Exchange Act.  Accordingly, our proxy solicitations are not subject to the disclosure and procedural requirements of Regulation 14A under the Exchange Act, and transactions in our equity securities by our officers and directors are exempt from reporting and the “short-swing” profit recovery provisions contained in Section 16 of the Exchange Act.  In addition, we are not required under the Exchange Act to file periodic reports and financial statements as frequently or as promptly as U.S. companies whose securities are registered under the Exchange Act.  However, we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission an annual report on Form 20-F containing financial statements audited by an independent accounting firm.  We also submit to the Securities and Exchange Commission reports on Form 6-K containing (among other things) press releases and unaudited financial information.  We post our annual report on Form 20-F on our website (http://www.gilat.com) promptly following the filing of our annual report with the Securities and Exchange Commission.  The information on our website is not incorporated by reference into this annual report.
 
 
105
 
 
This annual report and the exhibits thereto and any other document we file pursuant to the Exchange Act may be inspected without charge and copied at prescribed rates at the Securities and Exchange Commission public reference room at 100 F Street, N.E., Room 1580, Washington, D.C. 20549.  You may obtain information on the operation of the Securities and Exchange Commission’s public reference room in Washington, D.C. by calling the Securities and Exchange Commission at 1-800-SEC-0330.  The Exchange Act file number for our Securities and Exchange Commission filings is 000-21218.
 
The Securities and Exchange Commission maintains a website at www.sec.gov that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding registrants that make electronic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission using its EDGAR (Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis, and Retrieval) system.
 
The documents concerning our company that are referred to in this annual report may also be inspected at our offices located at Gilat House, 21 Yegia Kapayim Street, Kiryat Arye, Petah Tikva, 49130 Israel.
 
I.             Subsidiary Information
 
Not applicable.

QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
 
Foreign Currency Risk
 
The majority of our revenues are generated in U.S. dollars or linked to the dollar. In addition, a substantial portion of our costs are incurred in U.S. dollars. We believe that the U.S. dollar is the primary currency of the economic environment in which the Company and certain of its subsidiaries operate. Thus, the functional and reporting currency of the Company and certain of its subsidiaries is the U.S. dollar.
 
Accordingly, monetary accounts maintained in currencies other than the U.S. dollar are remeasured into U.S. dollars in accordance with ASC 830, "Foreign Currency Matters" ("ASC 830") (formerly: SFAS No.52, "Foreign Currency Translation). All transaction gains and losses of the remeasurement of monetary balance sheet items are reflected in the consolidated statements of operations as financial income or expenses, as appropriate.
 
The financial statements of foreign subsidiaries, whose functional currency has been determined to be their local currency, have been translated into U.S. dollars. Assets and liabilities have been translated using the exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet date. Statements of operations amounts have been translated using average rates, which approximates the prevailing exchange rate for each transaction. The resulting translation adjustments are reported as a component of equity in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).
 
 
106
 
 
While the majority of our revenues and expenses are generated in U.S. dollars a portion of our expenses are denominated in NIS which lead us to be exposed to financial market risk associated with changes in foreign currency exchange rates. In order to reduce the impact of foreign currency rate volatility of future cash flows caused by changes in foreign exchange rates, we use currency forward contracts. We hedge the part of our forecasted expenses denominated in NIS. If our currency forward contracts meet the definition of a hedge, and are so designated, changes in the fair value of the contracts will be offset against changes in the fair value of the hedged assets or liabilities through earnings. For derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments, the gain or loss is recognized in current earnings during the period of change. Our hedging reduces, but does not eliminate, the impact of foreign currency rate movements, and due to the results of our operations may be adversely affected.
 
During the year ended December 31, 2010, we recognized net income of approximately $ 1 million related to the effective portion of our hedging instruments. The effective portion of the hedged instruments was included as an offset (addition) of payroll expenses and other operating expenses in the statement of operations. The ineffective portion of the hedged instrument amounted to $ 6 thousands during the year ended December 31, 2010 and was recorded as financial income. As of December 31, 2010, we didn’t have any hedging instruments on our balance sheet.

Interest Rate Risk
 
Our exposure to market risk for changes in interest rates relates primarily to our investment in restricted cash and to our loans. Our short-term and long term restricted cash is primarily invested in certificates of deposit. As of December 31, 2010, the vast majority of this amount was linked to the U.S. dollar. It is used as collateral for the lease of the Company’s offices, performance guarantees to customers and loans and therefore does not bear significant interest rates. Our financial liabilities are comprised of loans and convertible notes. The table below details our balance sheet exposure by currency and interest rates. Any changes in the interest rate relating to the loan with the variable interest rate, could adversely affect our operations if financial expenses increase.
 
The table below details our balance sheet exposure by currency and interest rates:
 
   
Expected Maturity Dates
  
   
2011
    
2012
    
2013
    
2014
    
2015 and thereafter
  
   
(In thousands)
  
Assets:
                              
Restricted cash - in U.S. dollars
     3,634       600       500       500       2,500  
Weighted interest rate
     1.57 %     0.22 %     0.25 %     0.25 %     0.25 %
                                         
In other currency
     205       409       74                  
Weighted interest rate
     2.38 %     0 %     7 %                
In other currency
     1,004                                  
Weighted interest rate
     0.00 %                                
Liabilities:
                                        
Short term bank credit - in U.S. dollars
     2,129                                  
Weighted interest rate
     4.50 %                                
Long-term loans (including current maturities) - in U.S. dollars
     904       4,000       4,000       4,000       28,000  
Weighted interest rate
     8.24 %     4.77 %     4.77 %     4.77 %     4.77 %
In other currency
     443       594       599       548       3,461  
Weighted interest rate
     6.25 %     6.26 %     6.26 %     6.29 %     6.30 %
Converted subordinated notes - in U.S. dollars
     839       14,379                          
Weighted interest rate
     4.00 %     4.00 %                        

 
107
 
 
DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES OTHER THAN EQUITY SECURITIES
 
Not applicable.
 
 
DEFAULTS, DIVIDEND ARREARAGES AND DELINQUENCIES
 
None

MATERIAL MODIFICATIONS TO THE RIGHTS OF SECURITY HOLDERS AND USE OF PROCEEDS
 
Not applicable.
 
 
Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Our principal executive officer and chief financial officer, after evaluating the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) as of December 31, 2010, have concluded that, as of such date, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective and ensured that information required to be disclosed by us in reports that we file or submit under the Securities Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive officer and chief financial officer, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure and is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified by the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Management's Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over our financial reporting. Internal control over financial reporting is defined in Rule 13a-15(f) or 15d-15(f) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as a process designed by, or under the supervision of, the company’s principal executive and principal financial officers and effected by the company’s board of directors, management and other personnel, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and includes those policies and procedures that:

 
·
Pertain to the maintenance of records that in reasonable detail accurately and fairly reflect the transaction and dispositions of the assets of the company;
 
 
·
Provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and
 
 
108
 
 
 
·
Provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use of disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
 
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements.  Projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

Our management assessed the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting, as of December 31, 2010.  In making this assessment, our management used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) in Internal Control-Integrated Framework. Based on that assessment, our management concluded that as of December 31, 2010, our internal control over financial reporting is effective. Our management’s assessment of, and conclusion on, the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting did not include the internal controls of Wavestream and RAS, which were acquired during 2010, and are included in the 2010 consolidated financial statements of Gilat and its subsidiaries.

Below is the independent auditors, Kost Forer Gabbay & Kasierer, a member of Ernst & Young Global,  audit report on the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting.

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of

GILAT SATELLITE NETWORKS LTD.

We have audited Gilat Satellite Networks Ltd.'s ("Gilat") and its subsidiaries' internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2010, based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (the "COSO criteria"). Gilat's management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company's internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

A company's internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company's internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company's assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

 
109
 
 
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

As indicated in the accompanying Item 15 of this annual report on Form 20-F under the heading "Management's Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting", management’s assessment of and conclusion on the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting did not include the internal controls of Wavestream and RAS, which were acquired during 2010 and are included in the 2010 consolidated financial statements of Gilat and its subsidiaries and constituted approximately 40% of total consolidated assets as of December 31, 2010. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting of Gilat and its subsidiaries also did not include an evaluation of the internal control over financial reporting of Wavestream and RAS.

In our opinion, Gilat and its subsidiaries maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2010, based on the COSO criteria.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheets of Gilat and its subsidiaries as of December 31, 2010 and 2009, and the related consolidated statements of operations, changes in equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2010, and our report dated April 12, 2011, expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.

Tel-Aviv, Israel
KOST FORER GABBAY & KASIERER
April 12, 2011
A Member of Ernst & Young Global
 
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

During the period covered by this Annual Report on Form 20-F, no changes in our internal control over financial reporting have occurred that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.



           Our Board of Directors has determined that Dr. Meridor and Ms. Sarid meet the definition of an audit committee financial expert, as defined by rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission.  For a brief listing of their relevant experience, see Item 6.A. “Directors, Senior Management and Employees - Directors and Senior Management.”


           We have adopted a Code of Ethics for executive and financial officers that also applies to all of our employees.  The Code of Ethics is publicly available on our website at www.gilat.com. Written copies are available upon request.  If we make any substantive amendments to the Code of Ethics or grant any waivers, including any implicit waiver, from a provision of this code to our chief executive officer, principal financial officer or corporate controller, we will disclose the nature of such amendment or waiver on our website.

 
110
 


Fees Billed by Independent Auditors

The following table sets forth, for each of the years indicated, the fees billed to us by our independent auditors and the percentage of each of the fees out of the total amount paid to the auditors.
 
 
  
Year Ended December 31,
  
 
  
2010
    
2009
  
Services Rendered
  
Fees
    
Percentages
    
Fees
    
Percentages
  
Audit fees (1)
   $ 836,213       89.52 %   $ 818,254       93.17 %
Tax fees (2)
   $ 62,875       6.73 %   $ 60,000       6.83 %
Other
   $ 35,000       3.75 %                
Total
   $ 934,088       100 %   $ 878,254       100.00 %
 
(1)
Audit fees are fees for audit services for each of the years shown in this table, including fees associated with the annual audit, services provided in connection with audit of our internal control over financial reporting and audit services provided in connection with other statutory or regulatory filings.

(2)
Tax fees are fees for professional services rendered by our auditors for tax compliance, tax planning and tax advice on actual or contemplated transactions.

Policies and Procedures
 
Our Audit Committee has adopted a policy and procedures for the approval of audit and non-audit services rendered by our principal accountants, Kost Forer Gabbay & Kasierer, a Member of Ernst & Young Global and other members of Ernst & Young Global.  The policy generally requires the Audit Committee’s approval of the scope of the engagement of our principal accountants or on an individual engagement basis.  The policy prohibits retention of our principal accountants to perform the prohibited non-audit functions defined in Section 201 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 or the rules of the SEC, and also considers whether proposed services are compatible with the independence of the public auditors.
 

Not applicable.

PURCHASE OF EQUITY SECURITIES BY THE ISSUER AND AFFILIATED PURCHASERS

Issuer Purchase of Equity Securities

In the year ended December 31, 2010, neither we nor any affiliated purchaser has purchased any of our securities.

 
111
 
 
 
None.

 
Under NASDAQ Marketplace Rule 5615(a)(3) or Rule 5615(a)(3), foreign private issuers, such as our company, are permitted to follow certain home country corporate governance practices instead of certain provisions of Rule 5615(a)(3).
 
We have elected to follow Israeli law and practice instead of the following NASDAQ rules:
 
 
·
The requirement to obtain shareholder approval for the establishment or material amendment of certain equity based compensation plans and arrangements, under which shares may be acquired by officers, directors, employees or consultants. Under Israeli law and practice, the approval of the board of directors is required for the establishment or material amendment of such equity based compensation plans and arrangements. However, any equity based compensation arrangement with a director or the material amendment of such an arrangement must be approved by our Audit Committee, Board of Directors and shareholders, in that order.

 
·
The requirements regarding the director nominations process.  Under Israeli law and practice, our Board of Directors is authorized to recommend to our shareholders director nominees for election, and our shareholders may nominate candidates for election as directors by the general meeting of shareholders. Although we are not required to do so under Israel law, our Board of Directors has established a nominating committee, which is charged with and authorized to recommend nominees for election to the board of directors by our shareholders at the annual general meeting of shareholders. See Item 6C. “Directors, Senior Management and Employees - Board Practices - Election of Directors.”
 
 
·
The requirement that all member of the audit committee qualify as “independent directors” within the meaning of NASDAQ rules. Our audit committee is currently comprised of four members.  One of the members of our audit committee does not qualify as an independent director within the meaning of NASDAQ rules.  However, our Board of Directors has determined that such director satisfies the independence requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission and satisfies the requirements of Israeli law for audit committee members.
 
 
·
The requirements with respect to compensation of executive compensation. In accordance with Israeli law, the compensation of our executive officers other than our chief executive officer (who is also a director) is determined by our compensation and stock option committee, and exculpation, insurance and indemnification of, or an undertaking to, indemnify our executive officers who are not directors requires the approval of both our audit committee and compensation and stock option committee.  The compensation of our chief executive officer, who also serves as the chairman of our Board of Directors, is approved by our audit committee, compensation and stock option committee and shareholders, in that order.  Our compensation and stock option committee is comprised of three members, each of whom is an independent director within the meaning of NASDAQ rules.
 
 
112
 
 


Not applicable.


The Consolidated Financial Statements and related notes required by this item are contained on pages F-1 through F-61 hereof.

Index to Consolidated Financial Statements
 PAGE
Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
F-2
Consolidated Balance Sheets
 F-3
Consolidated Statements of Operations
F-5
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity
F-6
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
F-7
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
F-11

ITEM 19:                EXHIBITS
 
1.1
Memorandum of Association, as amended. Previously filed as Exhibit 1.1 to our Annual Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2000, which Exhibit is incorporated herein by reference.
 
1.2
Articles of Association, as amended and restated.  Previously filed as Exhibit 1.2 to our Annual Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2008, which Exhibit is incorporated herein by reference.
 
2.1
Form of 4.00% Convertible Subordinated Note due 2012.  Previously filed as Exhibit T3C to our Form T-3 (No. 022-28667), which Exhibit is incorporated herein by reference.
 
4.1
 
Sublease and Master Deed of Lease dated as of March 28, 2001 by and among BP III Leasco, LLC as Sublessor, BP Tysons, LLC as Landlord and Spacenet Real Estate Holdings, LLC as Sublessee and Master Tenant. Previously filed as Exhibit 4.7 to our Annual Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2000, which Exhibit is incorporated herein by reference.
 
4.2
Agreement and Plan of Merger by and among Gilat Satellite Networks Ltd., Spacenet Inc., Wideband Acquisition Corporation, Wavestream Corporation and Shareholders Representative Services LLC, dated October 12, 2010.
 
4.3
Unit Purchase Agreement among Spacenet Integrated Government Solutions, Inc., Raysat Antenna Systems, LLC and Others, dated as of March 17, 2010.
 
4.4
Summary of material provisions of the loan documents between Gilat Satellite Networks Ltd. and First International Bank of Israel, dated December 14, 2010.
 
8.1
List of subsidiaries.
 
12.1
Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
 
12.2
Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
 
13.1
Certification by Chief Executive Officer pursuant to section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
13.2
Certification by Chief Financial Officer pursuant to section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
15.1
Consent Kost Forer Gabbay & Kasierer, a member of Ernst & Young Global.
 
 
113
 
 
 
The registrant hereby certifies that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form 20-F and that it has duly caused and authorized the undersigned to sign this annual report on its behalf.
 
 
GILAT SATELLITE NETWORKS LTD.
  
       
 
By:
/s/ Amiram Levinberg  
    Amiram Levinberg  
   
Chairman of the Board of Directors and
Chief Executive Officer
  

Date: April 12, 2011

 
114
 
 
GILAT SATELLITE NETWORKS LTD. AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
 
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2010
 
IN U.S. DOLLARS
INDEX


 
 
 


 
   
 
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of

GILAT SATELLITE NETWORKS LTD.
 
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Gilat Satellite Networks Ltd. (the "Company") and its subsidiaries as of December 31, 2010 and 2009, and the related consolidated statements of operations, changes in equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2010. These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.
 
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
 
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of the Company and its subsidiaries as of December 31, 2010 and 2009, and the consolidated results of their operations and their cash flows, for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2010, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
 
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2010, based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission and our report dated April 12, 2011, expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.

Tel-Aviv, Israel
KOST FORER GABBAY & KASIERER
April 12, 2011
A Member of Ernst & Young Global
 
 
F - 2
 
 
GILAT SATELLITE NETWORKS LTD. AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
  
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
U.S. dollars in thousands
 
   
December 31,
  
   
2010
    
2009
  
             
ASSETS
            
             
CURRENT ASSETS:
            
Cash and cash equivalents
   $ 57,238     $ 122,672  
Short-term bank deposits
     -       31,729  
Short-term restricted cash
     3,839       1,782  
Restricted cash held by trustees
     1,004       2,137  
Trade receivables, net
     51,994       45,597  
Inventories
     29,612       13,711  
Other current assets
     22,973       19,068  
                 
Total current assets
     166,660       236,696  
                 
LONG-TERM INVESTMENTS AND RECEIVABLES:
                
Severance pay funds
     10,572       9,912  
Long-term restricted cash
     4,583       4,896  
Long-term trade receivables, receivables in respect of capital leases and other receivables
     6,538       2,204  
                 
Total long-term investments and receivables
     21,693       17,012  
                 
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, NET
     103,490       100,532  
                 
INTANGIBLE ASSETS AND DEFERRED CHARGES, NET
     57,453       2,988  
                 
GOODWILL
     106,082       -  
                 
Total assets
   $ 455,378     $ 357,228  
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
 
 
F - 3
 
 
GILAT SATELLITE NETWORKS LTD. AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
 
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
U.S. dollars in thousands (except share and per share data)
 
   
December 31,
  
   
2010
    
2009
  
             
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
            
             
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
            
Short-term bank credit
   $ 2,129     $ -  
Current maturities of long-term loans and convertible subordinated notes
     2,186       5,220  
Trade payables
     18,267       16,838  
Accrued expenses
     24,591       20,067  
Short-term advances from customers held by trustees
     1,004       2,137  
Other current liabilities
     39,675       28,154  
                 
Total current liabilities
     87,852       72,416  
                 
LONG-TERM LIABILITIES:
                
Long-term loans, net
     45,202       9,830  
Accrued severance pay
     10,579       10,011  
Accrued interest related to restructured debt
     575       1,176  
Convertible subordinated notes
     14,379       15,220  
Other long-term liabilities
     32,678       16,280  
                 
Total long-term liabilities
     103,413       52,517  
                 
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
                
                 
EQUITY:
                
Share capital -
Ordinary shares of NIS 0.2 par value: Authorized - 60,000,000 shares as of December 31, 2010 and 2009; Issued and
outstanding - 40,697,831 and 40,272,733shares as of December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively
     1,855       1,832  
Additional paid-in capital
     865,080       863,337  
Accumulated other comprehensive income
     774       1,341  
Accumulated deficit
     (603,596 )     (634,215 )
                 
Total equity
     264,113       232,295  
                 
Total liabilities and equity
   $ 455,378     $ 357,228  
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
 
 
F - 4
 
 
GILAT SATELLITE NETWORKS LTD. AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
U.S. dollars in thousands (except share and per share data)
 
   
Year ended December 31,
  
   
2010
    
2009
    
2008
  
                   
Revenues:
                  
Products
   $ 120,255     $ 91,407     $ 150,351  
Services
     112,730       136,652       117,175  
                         
Total revenues
     232,985       228,059       267,526  
                         
Cost of revenues:
                        
Products
     61,975       56,672       80,424  
Services
     91,156       100,956       101,150  
                         
Total cost of revenues
     153,131       157,628       181,574  
                         
Gross profit
     79,854       70,431       85,952  
Operating expenses:
                        
Research and development, net
     18,945       13,970       16,942  
Selling and marketing
     33,396       29,138       35,783  
General and administrative
     29,844       27,987       29,819  
   Costs related to acquisition transactions
     3,842       -       -  
Impairment of long-lived assets and other charges
     -       -       5,020  
                         
Total operating expenses
     86,027       71,095       87,564  
                         
Operating  loss
     (6,173 )     (664 )     (1,612 )
                         
Financial income (expenses), net
     (557 )     1,050       1,300  
Expenses related to aborted merger transaction
     -       -       (2,350 )
Other income
     37,360       2,396       2,983  
                         
Income before taxes on income
     30,630       2,782       321  
Taxes on income
     11       904       1,445  
                         
Net income (loss)
   $ 30,619     $ 1,878     $ (1,124 )
                         
Net earnings (loss) per share:
                        
Basic
   $ 0.76     $ 0.05     $ (0.03 )
Diluted
   $ 0.73     $ 0.04     $ (0.03 )
                         
Weighted average number of shares used in computing net earnings (loss) per share:
                        
Basic
     40,466,906       40,159,431       39,901,019  
Diluted
     41,985,158       41,473,515       39,901,019  
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
 
 
F - 5
 
 
GILAT SATELLITE NETWORKS LTD. AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
 
STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN EQUITY
U.S. dollars in thousands (except share data)
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
Number of
Ordinary shares
(in thousands)
    
Share
capital
    
Additional
paid-in
capital
    
Accumulated
other
comprehensive
income ***)
    
Accumulated
deficit
    
Total
comprehensive
income (loss)
    
Total
shareholders'
equity
  
                                           
Balance as of January 1, 2008
     39,612       1,796       859,207       1,776       (634,969 )           227,810  
                                                       
Exercise of stock options and issuance of restricted share units
     437       25       2,491       -       -             2,516  
Stock-based compensation related to employee stock options
     -       -       692       -       -             692  
Comprehensive loss:
                                                      
Foreign currency translation adjustments
     -       -       -       (766 )     -     $ (766 )     (766 )
   Unrealized gain on forward contracts, net
     -       -       -       1,096       -       1,096       1,096  
   Net loss
     -       -       -       -       (1,124 )     (1,124 )     (1,124 )
Total comprehensive loss
                                           $ (794 )        
Balance as of December 31, 2008
     40,049       1,821       862,390       2,106       (636,093 )             230,224  
                                                         
Issuance of restricted share units
     224       11       -       -       -               11  
Stock-based compensation related to employee stock options
     -       -       937       -       -               937  
Conversion of convertible subordinated notes
     ** )     * )     10       -       -               10  
Comprehensive income:
                                                        
Foreign currency translation adjustments
     -       -       -       (85 )     -     $ (85 )     (85 )
   Unrealized gain on forward contracts, net
     -       -       -       458       -       458       458  
   Realized gain on forward contracts, net
     -       -       -       (1,138 )     -       (1,138 )     (1,138 )
   Net income
     -       -       -       -       1,878       1,878       1,878  
Total comprehensive income
                                           $ 1,113          
Balance as of December 31, 2009
     40,273       1,832       863,337       1,341       (634,215 )             232,295  
                                                         
Issuance of restricted share units
     422       23       -       -       -               23  
Stock-based compensation related to employee stock options
     -       -       1,726       -       -               1,726  
Conversion of convertible subordinated notes
     ** )    -     *)    -       1       -       -               1  
Exercise of stock options
     3       *)    -       16       -       -               16  
Comprehensive income:
                                                        
Foreign currency translation adjustments
     -       -       -       (151 )     -     $ (151 )     (151 )
Unrealized gain on forward contracts, net
     -       -       -       613       -       613       613  
Realized gain on forward contracts, net
     -       -       -       (1,029 )     -       (1,029 )     (1,029 )
Net income
     -       -       -       -       30,619       30,619       30,619  
Total comprehensive income
                                           $ 30,052          
Balance as of December 31, 2010
     40,698     $ 1,855     $ 865,080     $ 774     $ (603,596 )           $ 264,113  
 
*)            Represents an amount lower than $ 1.
**)         Represents an amount lower than 1 thousand shares.
***)
Represents adjustments in respect of foreign currency translation and unrealized gain on forward contracts, net. The balance of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) as of December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008 included foreign currency translation adjustments in the amount of $ 774, $ 925 and $ 1,010, respectively, and unrealized gain on forward contracts, net, in the amount of $ 0, $ 416 and $1,096, respectively.
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
 
 
F - 6
 
 
GILAT SATELLITE NETWORKS LTD. AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
U.S. dollars in thousands

 
Year ended December 31,
  
   
2010
    
2009
    
2008
  
                   
Cash flows from operating activities:
                  
Net income (loss)
   $ 30,619     $ 1,878     $ (1,124 )
Adjustments required to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
                        
Depreciation and amortization
     14,794       14,509       13,132  
Impairment of long-lived assets and other charges
     -       -       5,020  
Gain from redemption of convertible subordinated notes
     -       (78 )     -  
Gain from the sale of investment accounted for at cost
     (24,314 )     (2,597 )     (1,801 )
Stock-based compensation related to employees
     1,726       937       692  
Accrued severance pay, net
     (135 )     (1,113 )     1,324  
Accrued interest and exchange rate differences on short and long-term restricted cash, net
     (201 )     256       (189 )
Accrued interest, accretion of discounts and exchange rate differences on held-to-maturity
   marketable securities and short-term bank deposits, net
     (45 )     (349 )     (1,778 )
Exchange rate differences on long-term loans
     (415 )     212       (348 )
Exchange rate differences on loans to employees
     -       (5 )     28  
Capital loss from disposal of property and equipment
     270       163       89  
Deferred income taxes
     (250 )     992       (265 )
Decrease (increase) in trade receivables, net
     (1,562 )     14,294       (15,979 )
Decrease (increase) in other assets (including short-term, long-term and deferred charges)
     (5,559 )     6,530       (2,535 )
Decrease (increase) in inventories
     (2,946 )     8,995       36  
Decrease in trade payables
     (4,759 )     (6,855 )     (3,185 )
Increase (decrease) in accrued expenses
     2,256       (6,034 )     3,640  
Increase (decrease) in advances from customers held by trustees, net
     (1,133 )     (22,032 )     176  
Increase (decrease) in other accounts payable and other long-term liabilities
     4,574       (9,909 )     (16,553 )
                         
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
     12,920       (206 )     (19,620 )
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
 
 
 
F - 7
 
 
GILAT SATELLITE NETWORKS LTD. AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
U.S. dollars in thousands

   
Year ended December 31,
  
   
2010
    
2009
    
2008
  
                   
Cash flows from investing activities:
                  
Purchase of property and equipment
     (7,638 )     (4,485 )     (13,799 )
Proceeds from sale of investment accounted for at cost
     24,314       2,597       1,801  
Other investments
     -       -       (195 )
Purchase of held-to-maturity marketable securities and deposits
     (30,693 )     (130,961 )     (143,572 )
Proceeds from held-to-maturity marketable securities and deposits
     62,384       162,615       127,895  
Purchase of available-for-sale marketable securities
     (4,804 )     -       -  
Proceeds from available-for-sale marketable securities
     4,888       -       -  
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment
     -       -       426  
Loans to employees, net
     14       39       2,798  
Investment in restricted cash (including long-term)
     (2,941 )     (90 )     (1,630 )
Proceeds from restricted cash (including long-term)
     1,339       7,696       769  
Investment in restricted cash held by trustees
     (12,346 )     (3,056 )     -  
Proceeds from restricted cash held by trustees
     13,673       24,834       -  
Acquisitions of subsidiaries, net of cash acquired (a,b)
     (153,883 )     -       -  
Patents and marketing rights
     (2,515 )     -       -  
                         
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
     (108,208 )     59,189       (25,507 )
                         
Cash flows from financing activities:
                        
Exercise of stock options and issuance of restricted share units
     39       11       2,516  
Early redemption of convertible notes
     -       (170 )     -  
Repayment of convertible debt
     (839 )     -       -  
Short-term bank credit, net
     (946 )     (6,500 )     678  
Proceeds from long-term loans
     40,000       -       -  
Repayment of long-term loans
     (8,409 )     (4,350 )     (5,362 )
                         
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
     29,845       (11,009 )     (2,168 )
                         
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
     9       782       (1,596 )
                         
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
     (65,434 )     48,756       (48,891 )
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year
     122,672       73,916       122,807  
                         
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year
   $ 57,238     $ 122,672     $ 73,916  
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
 
 
F - 8
 

GILAT SATELLITE NETWORKS LTD. AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
U.S. dollars in thousands

   
Year ended December 31,
  
   
2010
    
2009
    
2008
  
Supplementary cash flow activities:
                  
                       
(1)  
Cash paid during the year for:
                  
   
Interest
   $ 1,334     $ 1,546     $ 2,160  
                             
   
Income taxes
   $ 400     $ 698     $ 1,180  
                             
(2)  
Non-cash transactions:
                        
                             
   
Conversion of long-term convertible subordinated notes
   $ 1     $ 10     $ -  
                             
   
Classification from inventories to property and equipment
   $ 717     $ 806     $ 3,483  
                             
   
Classification from property and equipment to inventories
   $ 128     $ 2,497     $ 62  

     
Year ended
  
     
December 31,
  
     
2010
  
(a)
Payment for the acquisition of RAS (see also Note 1d):
      
         
 
Estimated fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the acquisition date:
      
         
 
Working capital (excluding cash and cash equivalents)
   $ (4,727 )
 
Property and equipment, net
     3,147  
 
Intangible assets
     9,778  
 
Goodwill
     20,162  
 
Other non-current assets
     2,144  
 
Long-term liabilities
     (3,436 )
        27,068  
           
 
Deferred Payment
     (751 )
           
      $ 26,317  
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
 
 
F - 9
 
 
GILAT SATELLITE NETWORKS LTD. AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
U.S. dollars in thousands

 
(b)
Payment for the acquisition of Wavestream (see also Note 1e):
      
         
 
Estimated fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the acquisition date:
      
 
   
Year ended December 31,
2010
  
       
Working capital (excluding cash and cash equivalents)
   $ 4,816  
Property and equipment, net
     3,513  
Other non-current assets
     355  
Goodwill
     85,920  
Intangible assets
     43,568  
Long-term liabilities *)
     (9,097 )
      129,075  
         
Contingent consideration
     (1,509 )
         
    $ 127,566  
 
*)              Mainly deferred tax liabilities

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
 
 
F - 10
 

GILAT SATELLITE NETWORKS LTD. AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
U.S. dollars in thousands
 
NOTE 1:        GENERAL

 
a.
Organization:
 
 
Gilat Satellite Networks Ltd. (the "Company" or "Gilat") and its subsidiaries (the "Group") is a global provider of Internet Protocol, or IP, based digital satellite communication and networking products and services. The Group designs, produces and markets VSATs, or very small aperture terminals, and related VSAT network equipment. VSATs are earth based terminals that transmit and receive broadband, Internet, voice, data and video via satellite. VSAT networks combine a large central earth station, called a hub, with multiple remote sites (ranging from tens to thousands of sites), which communicate via satellite. In addition, following the acquisition of Raysat Antenna Systems ("RAS") (see also Note 1d) on July 1, 2010, the group develops and provides Satcom On The Move antenna solutions and following the acquisition of Wavestream (see also Note 1e) on November 29, 2010, the Group develops and designs high power solid state amplifiers (SSPA) for military and commercial broadband communications, radar and imaging.

 
Gilat was incorporated in Israel in 1987 and launched its first generation VSAT in 1989.
 
For a description of principal markets and customers, see Note 14.

 
Starting 2010 and following the acquisition of Wavestream the Group operates four complementary, operational and reportable segments:

 
·
Gilat worldwide which is comprised of two reportable segments:
 
o
Gilat International (previously known as Gilat Network Systems or “GNS”), a provider of VSAT-based networks and associated professional services, including turnkey and management services, to telecom operators worldwide. Since the acquisition of RAS during 2010, Gilat International is also a provider of low-profile antennas, used for satellite-on-the-move communications (Satcom-OnThe-Move) antenna solutions, and
 
o
Gilat Peru & Colombia (previously known as Spacenet Rural Communications or "SRC" segment), a provider of telephony, Internet and data services primarily for rural communities in Peru and Colombia under projects that are subsidized by government entities.
 
·
Spacenet Inc. ("Spacenet"), a provider of satellite network services to enterprises, small office/home office ("SOHOs") and residential customers in the U.S.
 
·
Wavestream Corp. ("Wavestream"), a provider of high power solid state amplifiers (SSPA) Block Upconverters (BUCs) with field-proven, high performance solutions designed for mobile and fixed satellite communication (SATCOM) systems worldwide, primarily in the defense market. Wavestream is currently concentrated on sales to government defense agencies which account for most of its revenues, mainly the U.S. Department of Defense, pursuant to contracts awarded to system integrators under defense-related programs.
 
 
b.
Impairment of long-lived assets and other charges:

 
In 2008, the Group recorded losses for the impairment of its long-lived assets and other charges with respect to its Colombian activity included in the Gilat Peru & Colombia segment, in the amount of $ 5,020, see also Note 10.

 
F - 11
 

GILAT SATELLITE NETWORKS LTD. AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
U.S. dollars in thousands
 
NOTE 1: -      GENERAL (Cont.)

 
c.
Aborted Agreement and Plan of Merger (the "Agreement and Plan of Merger"):

 
On March 31, 2008 the Company announced the signing of an Agreement and Plan of Merger to be acquired for $ 475,000 in an all cash transaction by a consortium of private equity investors. The closing of the transaction was subject to shareholders' approval, certain regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions.

 
On August 5, 2008 the Company informed the consortium that all conditions precedent to closing had been met.

 
On August 29, 2008, the Company notified the consortium that it was terminating the Agreement and Plan of Merger citing the consortium's intentional breach of the merger agreement and failure to close the merger transaction within the time period established to complete the transaction.

 
The definitive agreement provided for a termination fee in the amount of approximately $ 47,500 payable to the Company, and the Company sued the consortium members for this amount. In August 2010, the Company signed settlement agreements with each of the consortium members. Under the terms of the settlement agreements, the Company will receive an aggregate of approximately $ 20,000, over half of which was already received on October 1, 2010 with the remainder to be received in annual installments ending in October 2013. The settlement agreements were reached as part of mediation proceedings that began in 2009.

 
d.
Business combination - acquisition of RAS:

 
In March 2010 and in April 2010, the Company entered into definitive agreements to acquire all of the units of Raysat Antenna Systems ("RAS LLC"), a provider of Satcom On The Move antenna solutions, and all of the shares of RaySat BG ("Raysat BG"), a Bulgarian research and development center for total consideration of $ 25,200 and $ 3,300 respectively, in cash. During July and August 2010, the Company closed the acquisitions of both entities. In conjunction with these transactions, the Company also acquired patents and marketing rights in the field of two-way SatCom on the Move antennas in the amount of $ 2,500.

 
The excess of total acquisition costs over the fair value of net tangible and identifiable intangible assets on acquisition amounting to $ 20,162 and was attributable to goodwill. An amount of approximately $ 13,500 out of total goodwill is allocated to the Spacenet segment and the remainder amounting to $ 6,662 is allocated to the Gilat International segment.

 
The derived goodwill from these acquisitions is attributable to addition capabilities of the Group to expand products and technology offering, to augment capabilities of current products and the ability of entering new markets. An amount of $ 10,800 related to the above goodwill is deductible for tax purposes.

 
F - 12
 

GILAT SATELLITE NETWORKS LTD. AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
U.S. dollars in thousands
 
NOTE 1: -      GENERAL (Cont.)

 
Technology, customer relationships and backlog deriving from acquisitions in the total amount of $ 9,333 are amortized at an annual weighted average of approximately 8 years.

 
In process research and development deriving from the acquisition in the amount of $ 445 represents incomplete research and development projects that have not reached technological feasibility on date of the acquisition.  Upon completion of development, the acquired in process research and development will be considered finite-lived assets and will be amortized accordingly at an annual weighted average of 9.5 years.

 
Under purchase method of accounting the purchase price was allocated to the identifiable intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed based upon their estimated fair values as follows:

Cash
   $ 1,396  
Other current assets
     3,140  
Non-current assets
     2,144  
Property and equipment
     3,147  
Intangible assets:
        
Technology
     7,963  
Customer relationships
     1,279  
Backlog
     91  
In process research and development
     445  
Goodwill
     20,162  
Current liabilities
     (7,867 )
Long-term liabilities
     (3,437 )
         
Net assets acquired
   $ 28,463  

 
e.
Business combination - acquisition of Wavestream Corporation ("Wavestream"):

 
On November 29, 2010 the Group completed the acquisition of all shares of Wavestream, a provider of high power solid state amplifiers.

 
Wavestream was acquired for approximately $ 135,000 out of which an amount of $ 2,500 represents the fair value of the potential contingent consideration according to the Company's management estimation and was accrued in the Group's financial statements. The contingent consideration may earn out up to $ 6,800 and is based on revenues target of Wavestream in 2011. The Company classified the contingent considerations as a liability as of the date of the transaction.

 
The excess of total acquisition costs over the fair value of net tangible and identifiable intangible assets on acquisition amounting to $ 85,920 and was attributed to goodwill and was allocated in its entirety to the Wavestream segment. This amount of goodwill is not deductible for tax purposes.

 
F - 13
 

GILAT SATELLITE NETWORKS LTD. AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
U.S. dollars in thousands
 
NOTE 1: -      GENERAL (Cont.)

 
The derived goodwill from this acquisition is attributable to the addition capabilities of the Group to expand products and technology offering, to augment capabilities of current products and the ability of entering the military and defense markets.

 
Technology, customer relationships and backlog in the amount of $ 43,568 are amortized at an annual weighted average of 7.5 years.
 
The following table summarizes the estimated fair values of Wavestream’s assets acquired and liabilities assumed and related deferred income taxes as of the acquisition date:

Cash
   $ 5,873  
Other current assets
     18,425  
Non-current assets
     355  
Property and equipment
     3,513  
Intangible assets:
        
Technology
     40,040  
Customer relationships
     3,187  
Backlog
     341  
Goodwill
     85,920  
Current liabilities
     (13,609 )
Long-term liabilities *)
     (9,097 )
         
Net assets acquired
   $ 134,948  

 
*) Mainly attributed to deferred tax liabilities.
 
Subsequent to December 31, 2010, the Company identified certain indicators that may affect the carrying value of goodwill and/or other intangibles assets attributed to Wavestream. Should those indicators sustain, the Company will be required to perform an interim impairment analysis that may affect the carrying value of goodwill and other intangibles assets or the amortization period of those intangible assets. The Company may also be required to reassess the value attributed to its contingent consideration obligation.
 
 
f.
Unaudited pro forma condensed results of operations:

 
The following represents the unaudited pro forma condensed results of operations for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2010 assuming that the acquisitions of RAS and Wavestream occurred on January 1, 2009. The pro forma information is not necessarily indicative of the results of operations, which actually would have occurred had the acquisitions been consummated on those dates, nor does it purport to represent the results of operations for future periods.
 
   
Year ended December
  
      31, 2010       31, 2009  
   
Unaudited
  
   
Total Consolidated
  
Revenues
   $ 304,021     $ 294,225  
                 
Net income / (loss)
   $ 43,600     $ (855 )
                 
Basic net earnings / (losses) per share
   $ 1.08     $ (0.02 )
                 
Diluted net earnings / (losses) per share
   $ 1.04     $ (0.02 )

 
F - 14
 

GILAT SATELLITE NETWORKS LTD. AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
U.S. dollars in thousands
 
NOTE 1: -      GENERAL (Cont.)

 
g.
The Company depends on a major supplier to supply certain components and services for the production of its products or providing services. If this supplier fails to deliver or delay the delivery of the necessary components or services, the Company will be required to seek alternative sources of supply. A change in suppliers could result in manufacturing delays or services delays which could cause a possible loss of sales and, or, additional incremental costs and, consequently, could adversely affect the Company's results of operations and financial position.
 
NOTE 2:-       SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States ("U.S. GAAP").

 
a.
Use of estimates:

 
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

 
b.
Functional currency:

 
The majority of the revenues of the Company and certain of its subsidiaries are generated in U.S. dollars ("dollar") or linked to the dollar. In addition, a substantial portion of the Company's and certain of its subsidiaries' costs are incurred in dollars. The Company's management believes that the dollar is the primary currency of the economic environment in which the Company and certain of its subsidiaries operate. Thus, the functional and reporting currency of the Company and certain of its subsidiaries is the dollar.

 
Accordingly, monetary accounts maintained in currencies other than the dollar are remeasured into dollars in accordance with ASC 830, "Foreign Currency Matters" ("ASC 830") (formerly: SFAS No.52, "Foreign Currency Translation). All transaction gains and losses of the remeasurement of monetary balance sheet items are reflected in the consolidated statements of operations as financial income or expenses, as appropriate.

 
The financial statements of foreign subsidiaries, whose functional currency has been determined to be their local currency, have been translated into dollars. Assets and liabilities have been translated using the exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet date. Statements of operations amounts have been translated using average rates, which approximates the prevailing exchange rate for each transaction. The resulting translation adjustments are reported as a component of equity in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).

 
F - 15
 
 
GILAT SATELLITE NETWORKS LTD. AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
U.S. dollars in thousands
 
NOTE 2:-       SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Cont.)

 
c.
Principles of consolidation:

 
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries, in which the Company has a controlling voting interest and entities consolidated under the variable interest entities ("VIE") provisions of  ASC 810, "Consolidation" ("ASC 810") (formerly: Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") Interpretation No. 46(R), "Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities, an Interpretation of ARB No. 51" ("FIN 46")). Inter-company balances and transactions have been eliminated upon consolidation.

 
The Company applies the provisions of ASC 810 which provides a framework for identifying VIEs and determining when a company should include the assets, liabilities, noncontrolling interests and results of activities of a VIE in its consolidated financial statements.

 
In general, a VIE is a corporation, partnership, limited-liability corporation, trust, or any other legal structure used to conduct activities or hold assets that either (1) has an insufficient amount of equity to carry out its principal activities without additional subordinated financial support, (2) has a group of equity owners that is unable to make significant decisions about its activities, (3) has a group of equity owners that does not have the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive returns generated by its operations or (4) the voting rights of some investors are not proportional to their obligations to absorb the expected losses of the entity, their rights to receive the expected residual returns of the entity, or both and substantially all of the entity's activities (for example, providing financing or buying assets) either involve or are conducted on behalf of an investor that has disproportionately few voting rights.

 
ASC 810 requires a VIE to be consolidated by the party with an ownership, contractual or other financial interest in the VIE (a variable interest holder) that has both of the following characteristics: a) the power to direct the activities of a VIE that most significantly impact the VIE’s economic performance b) the obligation to absorb losses of the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE or the right to receive benefits from the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE.

 
A variable interest holder that consolidates the VIE is called the primary beneficiary. Upon consolidation, the primary beneficiary generally must initially record all of the VIE's assets, liabilities and noncontrolling interests at fair value and subsequently account for the VIE as if it were consolidated based on a majority voting interest. ASC 810 also requires disclosures about VIEs in which the variable interest holder is not required to consolidate but in which it has a significant variable interest.

 
Most of the activity of Gilat Colombia in Colombia consists of operating subsidized projects for the government (the "Compartel Projects"). The Compartel Projects were awarded to Gilat's Colombian subsidiaries in 1999 and 2002.

 
F - 16
 
 
GILAT SATELLITE NETWORKS LTD. AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
U.S. dollars in thousands
 
NOTE 2:-       SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Cont.)

 
As required by the Compartel Projects' bid documents, the Group established trusts  (the "Trusts") and entered into governing Trust Agreements (one for each project awarded) (collectively, the "Trust Agreements"). The Trusts were established for the purpose of holding the network equipment, processing payments to subcontractors, and holding the funds received through the subsidy ("the Subsidy") until they are released in accordance with the terms of the Subsidy and paid to the Group. The Trusts are a mechanism to allow the Government to review amounts to be paid with the Subsidy and verify that such funds are used in accordance with the transaction document of the project and the terms of the Subsidy. The Group generates revenues from the subsidy, as well as from the use of the network that the Group operates.

 
The Trusts are considered VIEs and the Group is identified as the primary beneficiary of the Trusts.

 
Under ASC 810 the Company performs ongoing reassessments of whether it is the primary beneficiary of a variable interest entity. As the Company's management assessment provides that the Company has the power to direct the activities of a VIE that most significantly impact the VIE’s activities (it is responsible for establishing and operating the networks), and the obligation to absorb losses of the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE and the right to receive benefits from the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE economic performance, it was therefore concluded by management that the Company is the primary beneficiary of the Trusts.  As such, the Trusts were consolidated in the financial statements of the Company since their inception.
 
 
As of December 2010 and 2009, the Trust's total assets, classified as "Restricted cash held by trustees" and total liabilities, classified as "Short-term advances from customers held by trustees" consolidated within the financial statements of the Company amounted to $ 1,004 and $ 2,137, respectively.

 
d.
Cash equivalents:

 
Cash equivalents are short-term highly liquid investments that are not restricted as to withdrawals or use with maturities of three months or less at the date acquired.

 
e.
Short-term and long-term restricted cash:

 
Short-term restricted cash is primarily invested in certificates of deposit, which mature within one year. As of December 31, 2010, the vast majority of this amount was linked to the dollar. It is used as collateral for the lease of the Group's offices, performance guarantees to customers and loans, and bears weighted average interest rates of 1.64% and 1.40% as of December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

 
F - 17
 
 
GILAT SATELLITE NETWORKS LTD. AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
U.S. dollars in thousands
 
NOTE 2:-       SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Cont.)

 
Long-term restricted cash is primarily invested in certificates of deposit, which mature in more than one year. As of December 31, 2010, the vast majority of the amount is linked to the dollar. It bears annual weighted average interest rates of 0.35% and 0.24% as of December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively. This long-term restricted cash is used as collateral for the lease of the Group's offices, a sale and lease back transaction, performance guarantees to customers and loans.

 
f.
Restricted cash held by trustees:

 
As of December 31, 2010, short-term restricted cash held by trustees is invested in a savings bank account linked to the Colombian Peso. As of December 31, 2009, the amount was primarily invested in certificates of deposit linked to the Colombian Peso. The restricted cash is being released based upon performance milestones as stipulated in the Group's agreements with the government of Colombia.

 
g.
Inventories:

 
Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market value. Inventory write-offs are provided to cover risks arising from slow-moving items, excess inventories, discontinued products, new products introduction and for market prices lower than cost. Any write-off is recognized in the consolidated statement of operations as cost of revenue.

 
Cost is determined as follows:

 
Raw materials, parts and supplies - with the addition of allocable indirect manufacturing costs using the average cost method.

 
Work-in-progress - represents the cost of manufacturing with the addition of allocable indirect manufacturing costs, using the average cost method.

 
Finished products - calculated on the basis of direct manufacturing costs with the addition of allocable indirect manufacturing costs, using the average cost method.

 
The cost of Wavestream's inventory for each of the inventory types is determined using the first-in-first-out (FIFO) method.

 
h.
Investment in other companies:

 
The investment in these companies is stated at cost since the Group does not have the ability to exercise significant influence over operating and financial policies of the investments.

 
F - 18
 
 
GILAT SATELLITE NETWORKS LTD. AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
U.S. dollars in thousands
 
NOTE 2:-       SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Cont.)

 
The Group's investments in other companies are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an investment may not be recoverable in accordance with ASC 323, "Investments - Equity Method and Joint Ventures" (formerly: APB 18, "The Equity Method of Accounting for Investments in Common Stock"). Any impairment loss is recognized in the consolidated statements of operations. As of December 31, 2010 and 2009, the investment in these companies was nil.

 
i.
Long-term trade receivables:

 
Long-term trade receivables from long-term payment agreements are initially recognized at estimated present values determined based on rates of interest at recognition date and reported at the net amounts in the accompanying consolidated financial statements. Imputed interest is recognized, using the effective interest method, as a component of financial income (expenses) in the statements of operations.

 
j.
Property and equipment, net:

 
Property and equipment are stated at cost, net of accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is calculated by the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets as follows:

   
Years
  
       
Buildings
     50  
Computers, software and electronic equipment
     3 - 7  
Office furniture and equipment
     5 - 17  
Vehicles
     5 - 7  
Leasehold improvements
  
Over the term of the lease or the useful life of the improvements, whichever is shorter
  

 
Equipment leased to others under operating leases is carried at cost less accumulated depreciation and depreciated using the straight-line method over the useful life of the assets.

 
k.
Intangible assets and deferred charges:

 
Intangible assets subject to amortization are initially recognized based on the fair value allocated to them, and subsequently stated at amortized cost. The assets are amortized over their estimated useful lives using  the straight line method over an estimated period during which benefits are expected to be received, in accordance with ASC 350, "Intangible - Goodwill and Other" ("ASC 350") (formerly: Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 142, "Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets") as the follows weighted average in years:

 
F - 19
 

GILAT SATELLITE NETWORKS LTD. AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
U.S. dollars in thousands
 
NOTE 2:-       SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Cont.)

   
Years
  
       
Technology
     7.8  
Customer Relationships
     6.8  
Marketing Rights and Patents
     12.3  
In process research and development *)
     9.5  
Backlog
     1  

*) Will be amortized upon completion of the research and development process.

 
As of December 31, 2010 no impairment losses have been identified. (See also Note 2m).

 
Deferred charges represent costs related to the deferred revenue. Such costs are recognized when the related revenues are recognized. Deferred charges are presented on the balance sheet under other current assets, if it will be recognized within a year after the balance sheet date and under intangible assets and deferred charges, if it will be recognized in more than one year after the balance sheet date.

 
l.
Goodwill:

 
Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price in a business combination over the fair value of the net tangible and intangible assets acquired. Under ASC 350 (formerly SFAS No. 142), goodwill is not amortized, but rather is subject to an annual impairment test.
 
ASC 350 requires goodwill to be tested for impairment at least annually or between annual tests in certain circumstances, and written down when impaired. Goodwill is tested for impairment by comparing the fair value of the reporting unit with its carrying value. Fair value is determined using discounted cash flows. Significant estimates used in the fair value methodologies include estimates of future cash flows, future growth rates and the weighted average cost of capital of the reporting units. The Group has elected to perform the annual impairment tests in the fourth quarter of the year and did not identify any impairment losses as of December 31, 2010.
 
Subsequent to December 31, 2010, the Company identified certain indicators that may affect the carrying value of goodwill and/or other intangibles assets attributed to Wavestream. Should those indicators sustain, the Company will be required to perform an interim impairment analysis that may affect the carrying value of goodwill and other intangibles assets or the amortization period of those other intangible assets. The Company may also be required to reassess the value attributed to its contingent consideration obligation.
 
 
m.
Impairment of long-lived assets and long-lived assets to be disposed of:

 
The Group's long-lived assets are reviewed for impairment in accordance with ASC 360, "Property, Plant, and Equipment" ("ASC 360") (formerly: SFAS 144, "Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long Lived Assets"), whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to the future undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated by the assets. Such measurement includes significant estimates. If such assets are considered to be impaired, the impairment to be recognized is measured by the amount by which the carrying amount of the assets exceeds the fair value of the assets. However, the carrying amount of a group of assets is not to be reduced below its fair value. Assets to be disposed of are reported at the lower of the carrying amount or fair value less costs to sell.

 
F - 20
 
 
GILAT SATELLITE NETWORKS LTD. AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
U.S. dollars in thousands
 
NOTE 2:-       SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Cont.)

 
In 2010 and 2009, no impairment losses have been identified. In 2008, the Group recorded impairment losses in respect of long-lived assets related to its Gilat Peru & Colombia operational segment in Colombia. See also Note 10 and Note 1 e.
 
 
n.
Revenue recognition:

 
The Group generates revenue mainly from the sale of products and services for satellite-based communications networks. Sale of products includes mainly the sale of VSATs and hubs. Service revenue include access to and communication via satellites ("space segment"), installation of network equipment, telephone services, internet services, consulting, on-line network monitoring, network maintenance and repair services. The Group sells its products primarily through its direct sales force and indirectly through resellers or system integrators. Sales consummated by the Group's sales force and sales to resellers or system integrators are considered sales to end-users.

 
Revenue from product sales is recognized in accordance with SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin ("SAB") No. 104, "Revenue Recognition" ("SAB No. 104"), when delivery has occurred, persuasive evidence of an agreement exists, the vendor's fee is fixed or determinable, no further obligation exists and collectability is probable. When significant acceptance provisions are included in the arrangement revenue are deferred until the acceptance occurs. Generally, the Group does not grant rights of return. Revenues from services is recognized
recognized ratably over the period of the contract or as services are performed, as applicable.

 
In accordance with ASC 605-25, "Revenue Recognition - Multiple-Element Arrangements" ("ASC 605-25") (formerly: Emerging Issues Task Force ("EITF") Issue No. 00-21, "Revenue Arrangements with Multiple Deliverables" ("EITF 00-21")), a multiple-element arrangement (an arrangement that involves the delivery or performance of multiple products, services and/or rights to use assets) is separated into more than one unit of accounting, if the functionality of the delivered element(s) is not dependent on the undelivered element(s), there is vendor-specific objective evidence (VSOE) of fair value of the undelivered element(s) and delivery of the delivered element(s) represents the culmination of the earnings process for those element(s). If these criteria are not met, the revenue is deferred until such criteria are met or until the period in which the last undelivered element is delivered. If there is VSOE for all units of accounting in an arrangement, the arrangement consideration is allocated to the separate units of accounting based on each unit's relative VSOE.

 
Revenue from products under sales-type lease contracts is recognized in accordance with ASC 840, "Leases" ("ASC 840") (formerly: SFAS No. 13, "Accounting for Leases") upon installation or upon delivery, in cases where the customer obtains its own or other's installation services. The net investments in sales-type leases are discounted at the interest rates implicit in the leases. The present values of payments due under sales-type lease contracts are recorded as revenue at the time of shipment or installation, as appropriate. Future interest income is deferred and recognized over the related lease term as financial income.

 
F - 21
 

GILAT SATELLITE NETWORKS LTD. AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
U.S. dollars in thousands
 
NOTE 2:-       SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Cont.)

 
Revenue from products and services under operating leases of equipment is recognized ratably over the lease period, in accordance with ASC 840.

 
Deferred revenue represents amounts received by the Group when the criteria for revenue recognition as described above are not met and are included in "Other current liabilities" and "Other long-term liabilities". In general, when deferred revenue is recognized as revenue, the associated deferred costs are also recognized as cost of sales.
 
 
o.
Shipping and advertising expenses:
 
 
Selling and marketing expenses include shipping expenses in the amounts of $ 3,945, $ 2,503 and $ 2,102, for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively.

 
Advertising costs are expensed as incurred. Advertising expenses for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008 amounted to $ 859, $ 722 and $ 878, respectively.

 
p.
Warranty costs:

 
Generally, the Group provides product warranties for periods between twelve to eighteen months at no extra charge. A provision is recorded for estimated warranty costs based on the Group's experience. Warranty expenses for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008 were immaterial.

 
q.
Research and development expenses:

 
Research and development expenses, net of grants received, are charged to expenses as incurred.

 
r.
Grants:

 
The Group received non-royalty-bearing grants from the Government of Israel and from other funding sources, for approved research and development projects. These grants are recognized at the time the Group is entitled to such grants on the basis of the costs incurred or milestones achieved as provided by the relevant agreement and included as a deduction from research and development expenses.

 
Research and development grants deducted from research and development expenses amounted to $ 3,249, $ 2,311 and $ 1,760 in 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively.

 
F - 22
 
 
GILAT SATELLITE NETWORKS LTD. AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
U.S. dollars in thousands
 
NOTE 2:-       SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Cont.)

 
s.
Accounting for stock-based compensation:

 
The Group accounts for stock-based compensation in accordance with ASC 718, "Compensation-Stock Compensation" ("ASC 718") (formerly: SFAS No.123R, "Share-Based Payment"). ASC 718 requires companies to estimate the fair value of equity-based payment awards on the date of grant using an option-pricing model. The value of the portion of the award that is ultimately expected to vest is recognized as an expense over the requisite service periods in the Company's consolidated statement of operations.

 
The Group recognizes compensation expenses for the value of its awards, which vested and were granted prior to January 1, 2006, based on the accelerated attribution method and for awards granted subsequent to January 1, 2006, based on the straight line method over the requisite service period of each of the awards, net of estimated forfeitures. ASC 718 requires forfeitures to be estimated at the time of grant and revised, if necessary, in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates.

 
The Group selected the Black-Scholes-Merton option pricing model as the most appropriate fair value method for its stock-options awards and values restricted stock based on the market value of the underlying shares at the date of grant. The option-pricing model requires a number of assumptions, of which the most significant are the expected stock price volatility and the expected option term. Expected volatility was calculated based upon actual historical stock price movements. The expected term of options granted is based upon historical experience and represents the period of time that options granted are expected to be outstanding.  The risk-free interest rate is based on the yield from U.S. treasury bonds with an equivalent term. The Group has historically not paid dividends and has no foreseeable plans to pay dividends.

 
The Group accounts for equity instruments issued to third party service providers (non-employees) in accordance with the fair value based on an option-pricing model, pursuant to the guidance in ASC 505-50, "Equity-Based Payments to Non-Employees" ("ASC 505-50") (formerly: EITF 96-18, "Accounting for Equity Instruments That Are Issued to Other Than Employees for Acquiring, or in Conjunction with Selling Goods or Services"). The fair value of the options granted is revalued over the related service periods and recognized over the vesting period. (See also Note 8).
 
 
t.
Income taxes:
 
 
The Group accounts for income taxes in accordance with ASC 740, "Income Taxes" ("ASC 740") (formerly: SFAS No. 109, "Accounting for Income Taxes"). ASC 740 prescribes the use of the liability method whereby deferred tax assets and liability account balances are determined based on differences between the financial reporting and the tax basis of assets and liabilities and are measured using the enacted tax rates and laws that will be in effect when the differences are expected to reverse. The Group provides a valuation allowance, if necessary, to reduce deferred tax assets to their estimated realizable value, if it is more likely than not that a portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized.

 
F - 23
 
GILAT SATELLITE NETWORKS LTD. AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
U.S. dollars in thousands
 
NOTE 2:-       SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Cont.)

 
The Group accounts for uncertain tax position in accordance with ASC 740-10, "Income Taxes" ("ASC 740-10") , as amended by FASB Interpretation No. 48, "Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes, an Interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109" ("FIN 48"). ASC 740-10 clarifies the accounting for income taxes by prescribing the minimum recognition threshold a tax position is required to meet before being recognized in the financial statements. ASC 740-10 utilizes a two-step approach for evaluating tax positions. Recognition (step one) occurs when an enterprise concludes that a tax position, based solely on its technical merits, is more-likely-than-not to be sustained upon examination. Measurement (step two) is only addressed if step one has been satisfied (i.e., the position is more-likely-than-not to be sustained) otherwise a full liability in respect of a tax position not meeting the more-than-likely-than-not criteria is recognized.

 
Under step two, the tax benefit is measured as the largest amount of benefit, determined on a cumulative probability basis that is more-likely-than-not to be realized upon ultimate settlement.

 
ASC 740-10, as amended by FIN 48, applies to all tax positions related to income taxes subject to ASC 740. This includes tax positions considered to be "routine" as well as those with a high degree of uncertainty. FIN 48 has expanded disclosure requirements, which include a tabular roll forward of the beginning and ending aggregate unrecognized tax benefits as well as specific detail related to tax uncertainties for which it is reasonably possible the amount of unrecognized tax benefit will significantly increase or decrease within twelve months (See also Note 11).

 
u.
Concentrations of credit risks:

 
Financial instruments that potentially subject the Group to concentrations of credit risk consist principally of cash and cash equivalents, short-term bank deposits, short-term and long-term restricted cash, short-term restricted cash held by trustees, trade receivables, short-term and long-term receivables relating to capital leases and long-term trade receivables.
 
 
The majority of the Group's cash and cash equivalents, short-term bank deposits, and short-term and long-term restricted cash are invested in U.S dollars with major banks in Israel and in the United States. Such deposits in the United States may be in excess of insured limits and are not insured in other jurisdictions. Generally, these cash equivalents may be redeemed upon demand and, therefore management believes that they bear lower risk.

 
The Group also has restricted cash held by trustees, which is invested in Colombian Peso with major banks in Colombia. As of December 31, 2010, restricted cash held by the trustees amounted to $ 1,004. The Group is entitled to receive the restricted cash held by the trustee in stages based upon operational milestones. The cash held in trusts is reflected in the Company's balance sheet as "Restricted cash held by trustees".

 
F - 24
 

GILAT SATELLITE NETWORKS LTD. AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
U.S. dollars in thousands
 
NOTE 2:-       SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Cont.)

 
Trade receivables, short-term and long-term receivables relating to capital leases and long-term trade receivables of the Group are mainly derived from sales to major customers located in the U.S., Europe, Asia, South America and Africa. The Group performs ongoing credit evaluations of its customers and obtains letters of credit and bank guarantees for certain receivables. An allowance for doubtful accounts is determined with respect to specific debts that the Group has determined to be doubtful of collection.

 
During 2010 and 2009, the Company entered into hedging agreements, with major banks in Israel, in order to hedge portions of its anticipated NIS payroll payments. These contracts are designated as cash flow hedges. Those contracts mature at the time in which the related salary payments are paid. See also Note 2(y) and Note 7.

 
v.
Employee related benefits:

 
Severance pay

 
The Company's liability for severance pay is calculated pursuant to the Israeli Severance Pay Law based on the most recent salary of the employees multiplied by the number of years of employment, as of the balance sheet date. Employees whose employment is terminated by the Company or who are otherwise entitled to severance pay in accordance with Israeli law or labor agreements are entitled to one month's salary for each year of employment or a portion thereof. The Company's liability for all of its Israeli employees is partly provided for by monthly deposits for insurance policies and the remainder by an accrual. The value of these policies is recorded as an asset in the Company's consolidated balance sheet.

 
During April and May 2008 (the" transition date"), the Company amended the contracts of most of its Israeli employees so that starting on the transition date, such employees are subject to Section 14 of the Severance Pay Law - 1963 ("Section 14") for severance pay accumulated in periods of employment subsequent to the transition date. In accordance with Section 14, upon termination, the release of the contributed amounts from the fund to the employee shall relieve the Company from any further severance liability and no additional payments shall be made by the Company to the employee. As a result, the related obligation and amounts deposited on behalf of such obligation are not stated on the balance sheet, as the Company is legally released from severance obligation to employees once the amounts have been deposited, and the Company has no further legal ownership of the amounts deposited.

 
The carrying value for the deposited funds for the Company's employees' severance pay for employment periods prior to April and May 2008 include profits and losses accumulated up to the balance sheet date. The deposited funds may be withdrawn only upon the fulfillment of the obligation pursuant to the Israeli Severance Pay Law or labor agreements.

 
Severance pay expenses for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, amounted to approximately $ 2,317, $ 1,962 and $ 3,265, respectively.

 
F - 25
 

GILAT SATELLITE NETWORKS LTD. AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
U.S. dollars in thousands
 
NOTE 2:-       SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Cont.)

 
401K profit sharing plans

 
The Group has a number of savings plans in the United States that qualify under Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code. U.S employees may contribute up to 100% of their pretax salary, but not more than statutory limits. Generally, the Group contributes one dollar for each dollar a participant contributes in this plan, in an amount of up to 3% and in addition, it contributes fifty cents for each dollar a participant contributes in this plan, for an additional 3%. Matching contributions for all the plans were approximately $ 610, $ 250 and $ 700 for the years ended 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively. Matching contributions are invested in proportion to each participant's voluntary contributions in the investment options provided under the plan. Starting April 2009, the Group suspended the matching contribution and it was resumed again in February 2010.

 
w.
Fair value of financial instruments:

 
The following methods and assumptions were used by the Group in estimating their fair value disclosures for financial instruments:

 
The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, bank deposits, short-term restricted cash, restricted cash held by trustees, trade receivables, short-term bank credit and trade payables approximate their fair value due to the short-term maturity of such instruments.

 
The carrying amounts of the Group's long-term borrowing arrangements, long-term trade receivables and long-term restricted cash approximate their fair value. The fair value was estimated using discounted cash flow analysis, based on the Group's incremental borrowing rates for similar borrowing or investing arrangements.

 
The fair value of the convertible subordinated notes was determined based on management estimates that incorporate the estimated  market participant expectations of future cash flow and therefore is classified as Level 3. As of December 31, 2010 and 2009, the fair value of the Company's convertible subordinated notes was $ 14,043 and $ 14,172, respectively.

 
x.
Net earnings (loss) per share:

 
Basic net earnings (loss) per share are computed based on the weighted average number of Ordinary shares outstanding during each period. Diluted net earnings (loss) per share are computed based on the weighted average number of Ordinary shares outstanding during each period, plus dilutive potential Ordinary shares considered outstanding during the period, in accordance with ASC 260, "Earning per Share" ("ASC 260")  (formerly: SFAS No. 128, "Earning per Share"). The total weighted average number of shares related to the outstanding options and warrants excluded from the calculations of diluted net earnings (loss) per share, as they would have been anti-dilutive, was 3,794,561, 3,931,824 and 1,145,918 for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively.

 
F - 26
 
 
GILAT SATELLITE NETWORKS LTD. AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
U.S. dollars in thousands
 
NOTE 2:-       SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Cont.)

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted net earnings (loss) per share:

 
1.
Numerator:
 
   
Year ended
December 31,
  
   
2010
    
2009
    
2008
  
Numerator for basic net earnings (loss) per share -
                  
Net income (loss) available to holders of
                  
Ordinary shares
   $ 30,619     $ 1,878     $ (1,124 )
Less -
                        
Profit from redemption of convertible subordinated notes
     -       (106 )     -  
                         
Numerator for diluted net earnings (loss) per share
   $ 30,619     $ 1,772     $ (1,124 )


 
2.
Denominator (in thousands):
 
Denominator for basic net earnings (loss) per share -
                  
Weighted average number of shares
     40,467       40,159       39,901  
Add-employee stock options and
                        
convertible subordinated notes
     1,518       1,315       *)    -  
                         
Denominator for diluted net earnings (loss) per share - adjusted
   weighted average shares assuming exercise of options
     41,985       41,474       39,901  

 
*) Anti-dilutive.

 
y.
Derivatives and hedging activities:

 
ASC 815, "Derivatives and Hedging" ("ASC 815") (formerly: SFAS No. 133, "Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities"), as amended, requires the Company to recognize all derivatives on the balance sheet at fair value. Derivatives that are not hedges must be adjusted to fair value through income (loss). If the derivative is a hedge, depending on the nature of the hedge, changes in the fair value of derivatives are either offset against the change in fair value of the hedged assets, liabilities, or firm commitments through earnings or recognized in other comprehensive income until the hedged item is recognized in earnings. The ineffective portion of a derivative's change in fair value is immediately recognized in earnings. The Company uses derivatives to hedge certain cash flow foreign currency exposures in order to further reduce the Company's exposure to foreign currency risks.

 
F - 27
 
 
GILAT SATELLITE NETWORKS LTD. AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
U.S. dollars in thousands
 
NOTE 2:-       SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Cont.)

 
The Company measured the fair value of the contracts in accordance with ASC No. 820, "Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure" ("ASC 820") at Level 2. As of December 31, 2010 the Company does not have any hedging instruments in the balance sheet.

 
z.
Impact of recently issued accounting pronouncements:

 
In January 2010, the FASB updated the "Fair Value Measurements Disclosures" codified in ASC 820. More specifically, this update requires an entity to disclose (a) separately the amounts of significant transfers in and out of Levels 1 and 2 fair value measurements and to describe the reasons for the transfers; and (b) information about purchases, sales, issuances and settlements to be presented separately (i.e. present the activity on a gross basis rather than net) in the reconciliation for fair value measurements using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3 inputs). This update clarifies existing disclosure requirements for the level of disaggregation used for classes of assets and liabilities measured at fair value, and requires disclosures about the valuation techniques and inputs used to measure fair value for both recurring and nonrecurring fair value measurements using Level 2 and Level 3 inputs.

 
As applicable to the Group, this update became effective as of the first quarter ended December 31, 2010, except for the gross presentation of the Level 3 roll forward information, which is required for annual reporting as of December 31, 2010. The adoption of the new guidance did not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

 
In June 2009, the FASB issued an update to ASC 810, "Consolidation", which, among other things (i) Requires ongoing reassessments of whether an entity is the primary beneficiary of a variable interest entity, and eliminates the quantitative approach previously required for determining the primary beneficiary of a variable interest entity (ii) Amends certain guidance for determining whether an entity is a variable interest entity; and (iii) Requires enhanced disclosure that will provide users of financial statements with more transparent information about an entity's involvement in a variable interest entity. The update is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after November 15, 2009. The adoption of the new guidance did not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

 
In October 2009, the FASB issued ASU 2009-13, Multiple-Deliverable Revenue Arrangements, (amendments to FASB ASC Topic 605, Revenue Recognition) (“ASU 2009-13”) and ASU 2009-14, Certain Arrangements That Include Software Elements, (amendments to FASB ASC Topic 985, Software) (“ASU 2009-14”). ASU 2009-13 requires entities to allocate revenue in an arrangement using estimated selling prices of the delivered goods and services based on a selling price hierarchy. The amendments eliminate the residual method of revenue allocation and require revenue to be allocated using the relative selling price method. ASU 2009-14 removes tangible products from the scope of software revenue guidance and provides guidance on determining whether software deliverables in an arrangement that includes a tangible product are covered by the scope of the software revenue guidance.

 
F - 28
 

GILAT SATELLITE NETWORKS LTD. AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
U.S. dollars in thousands
 
NOTE 2:-       SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Cont.)

 
ASU 2009-13 and ASU 2009-14 should be applied on a prospective basis for revenue arrangements entered into or materially modified in fiscal years beginning on or after June 15, 2010, with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently assessing the impact of these amendments to the ASC on its accounting and reporting systems and processes.

 
In February 2010, the FASB issued ASU 2010-09 - amendments to certain recognition and disclosure requirements of Subsequent Events codified in ASC 855. This update removes the requirement to disclose the date through which subsequent events were evaluated in both originally issued and reissued financial statements for "SEC Filers." An entity that is a conduit bond obligor (as defined) should evaluate subsequent events through the date that the financial statements are issued, and it should disclose the date through which subsequent events were evaluated. All other entities are required to evaluate subsequent events through the date that the financial statements are available to be issued and also must disclose that date. Other than SEC filers, all entities are required to disclose the date that financial statements are reissued only if they have been revised for an error correction or retrospective application of GAAP. The adoption of the new guidance did not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

 
In December 2010, the FASB issued ASU 2010-28, When to Perform Step 2 of the Goodwill Impairment Test for Reporting Units with Zero or Negative Carrying Amounts codified in ASC 350, "Intangibles - Goodwill and Other". Under ASC 350, testing for goodwill impairment is a two-step test, in which Step 1 compares the fair value of the reporting unit to its carrying amount. If the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying value, Step 2 is completed to measure the amount of impairment, if any. This ASU modifies Step 1 of the goodwill impairment test for reporting units with zero or negative carrying amounts. For those reporting units, an entity is required to perform Step 2 if it appears more likely than not that a goodwill impairment exists. In determining whether it is more likely than not that a goodwill impairment exists, an entity would consider whether there are any adverse qualitative factors indicating that an impairment may exist (e.g., a significant adverse change in the business climate). The adoption of the new guidance did not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.
 
 
In December 2010, the FASB issued ASU 2010-29, Disclosure of Supplementary Pro Forma Information for Business Combinations codified in ASC 805, "Business Combinations". This ASU responds to diversity in practice about the interpretation of the pro forma disclosure requirements for business combinations. When a public entity’s business combinations are material on an individual or aggregate basis, the notes to its financial statements must provide pro forma revenue and earnings of the combined entity as if the acquisition date(s) had occurred as of the beginning of the annual reporting period. The ASU clarifies that if comparative financial statements are presented, the pro forma disclosures for both periods presented (the year in which the acquisition occurred and the prior year) should be reported as if the acquisition had occurred as of the beginning of the comparable prior annual reporting period only and not as if it had occurred at the beginning of the current annual reporting period.

 
F - 29
 
 
GILAT SATELLITE NETWORKS LTD. AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
U.S. dollars in thousands
 
NOTE 2:-       SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Cont.)

 
The ASU also expands the supplemental pro forma disclosure requirements to include a description of the nature and amount of any material non-recurring adjustments that are directly attributable to the business combination. The disclosure requirement of ASU 2010-29 is reflected in the note regarding Pro Forma Information regarding the acquisition of RAS and Wavestream. See also Note 1 to the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

 
aa.
Reclassification:

 
Certain figures have been reclassified to conform to the 2010 presentation. The reclassification had no effect on previously reported net income (loss), equity or cash flows.
 
NOTE 3:-       INVENTORIES

 
a.
Inventories are comprised of the following:

   
December 31,
  
   
2010
    
2009
  
             
Raw materials, parts and supplies
   $ 10,499     $ 697  
Work in progress
     1,193       405  
Finished products
     17,920       12,609  
                 
    $ 29,612     $ 13,711  

 
b.
Inventory write-offs totaled $ 1,066, $ 1,945 and $ 1,556 in 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively.

 
F - 30
 
 
GILAT SATELLITE NETWORKS LTD. AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
U.S. dollars in thousands

NOTE 4:-       PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, NET

 
a.
Composition of property and equipment, grouped by major classifications, is as follows:

   
December 31,
  
   
2010
    
2009
  
Cost:
            
             
Buildings and land
   $ 94,787     $ 92,687  
Computers, software and electronic equipment
     95,786       83,034  
Equipment leased to others
     91,838       93,673  
Office furniture and equipment
     9,863       9,290  
Vehicles
     525       457  
Leasehold improvements
     8,276       6,850  
                 
      301,075       285,991  
Accumulated depreciation *)
     197,585       185,459  
                 
Depreciated cost
   $ 103,490     $ 100,532  

 
*)
The accumulated depreciation of equipment leased to others as of December 31, 2010 and 2009 is $ 82,518 $ 83,843, respectively.

 
b.
Depreciation expenses totaled $ 11,500, $ 11,653 and $ 12,502 in 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively.

 
c.
In 2008, the Group recorded impairment losses in respect of its long-lived assets in Colombia, see also Note 10.

 
d.
As for pledges and securities, see also Note 12f.

 
F - 31
 
 
GILAT SATELLITE NETWORKS LTD. AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
U.S. dollars in thousands
 
NOTE 5:-       INTANGIBLE ASSETS AND DEFERRED CHARGES, NET

 
a.
Composition of intangible assets and deferred charges, grouped by major classifications, is as follows:
 
   
December 31,
  
   
2010
    
2009
  
             
Original amounts:
            
             
Technology
   $ 48,003     $ -  
Customer Relationships
     4,466       -  
Marketing Rights and Patents
     3,278       -  
In process research and development
     445       -  
Backlog
     432       -  
Other
     3,596       3,436  
                 
      60,220       3,436  
                 
Accumulated amortization:
                
                 
Technology
     813       -  
Customer Relationships
     60       -  
Marketing Rights and Patents
     466       -  
In process research and development
     -       -  
Backlog
     73       -  
Other
     1,355       636  
                 
      2,767       636  
                 
Deferred charges
     -       188  
                 
    $ 57,453     $ 2,988  

 
b.
Amortization expenses amounted to $ 3,294, $ 2,856 and $ 630 for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively.

 
c.
Estimated amortization expenses for the following years is as follows:

Year ending December 31,
      
       
2011
   $ 8,819  
2012
     7,865  
2013
     7,761  
2014
     7,121  
2015
     7,077  
2016 and thereafter
     18,810  
         
    $ 57,453  

 
F - 32
 
 
GILAT SATELLITE NETWORKS LTD. AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
U.S. dollars in thousands
 
NOTE 6:-       COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

 
a.
On March 29, 2001, Spacenet completed a transaction for the sale and leaseback of its corporate headquarters building. The sale price of the property was approximately $ 31,500 net of certain fees and commissions. Concurrently with the sale, Spacenet entered into an operating leaseback contract for a period of fifteen years at an initial annual rent of approximately $ 3,500 plus escalation. The capital gain resulting from the sale and leaseback amounting to $ 5,600 was deferred and is being amortized over the fifteen year term of the lease. In accordance with the lease terms, Spacenet provided a security deposit consisting of a $ 5,000 fully cash collateralized letter of credit for the benefit of the lessor which is being released over the term of the lease agreement. As of December 31, 2010 $ 500 was released from this deposit. The lease is accounted for as an operating lease in accordance with ASC 840.

 
b.
Lease commitments:

 
Minimum lease commitments of certain subsidiaries under non-cancelable operating lease agreements with respect to premises occupied by them, at rates in effect subsequent to December 31, 2010, are as follows:

   
Gross
    
Receivables
    
Net
  
Year ending December 31,
  
commitments
    
from subleases
    
commitments
  
                   
2011
   $ 5,684     $ 1,382     $ 4,302  
2012
     5,575       1,339       4,236  
2013
     5,695       1,005       4,690  
2014
     5,289       369       4,920  
2015
     5,026       380       4,646  
2016 and thereafter
     1,324       391       933  
                         
    $ 28,593     $ 4,866     $ 23,727  
 
Gross rent expenses and income from subleases were $ 6,071 and $ 1,446, respectively in 2010, $ 5,704 and $ 1,480, respectively in 2009 and $ 7,016 and $ 1,508, respectively in 2008.
 
 
Out of the above commitment, $ 1,472 is included as restructuring accrual in other accounts payable and other long-term liabilities as of December 31, 2010. Some of the Group's lease agreements do not include renewal options.

 
c.
Commitments with respect to space segment services:

 
Future minimum payments due for space segment services subsequent to December 31, 2010, are as follows:

 
F - 33
 

GILAT SATELLITE NETWORKS LTD. AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
U.S. dollars in thousands
 
NOTE 6:-       COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Cont.)

 
Year ending December 31,
      
       
2011
   $ 24,267  
2012
     21,381  
2013
     13,468  
2014
     11,931  
2015
     8,659  
2016 and thereafter
     7,708  
         
    $ 87,414  

 
Space segment services expenses totaled $ 23,638, $ 29,512 and $ 26,628 in 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively.
 
 
d.
In 2010 and 2009, the Company's primary material purchase commitments derived from inventory suppliers. The Company's material inventory purchase commitments are based on purchase orders, or on outstanding agreements with some of the Company's suppliers of inventory. As of December 31, 2010 and 2009, the Company's major outstanding inventory purchase commitments amounted to $ 18,881 and $ 14,757, respectively, all of which were orders placed or commitments made in the ordinary course of its business. As of December 31, 2010 and 2009, $ 9,709 and $ 7,341, respectively, of these orders and commitments, were from suppliers which can be considered sole or limited in number.
 
 
e.
Legal and tax contingencies:
 
 
1.
In September 2003, Nova Mobilcom S.A. ("Mobilcom"), filed a lawsuit against Gilat do Brasil for specific performance of a Memorandum of Understandings which provided for the sale of Gilat do Brasil, and specifically the GESAC project, a government education project awarded to Gilat do Brazil, to Mobilcom for an unspecified amount. Gilat do Brasil does not believe that this claim has any merit and is vigorously defending itself against the claims presented.

 
2.
In 2003, the Brazilian tax authority filed a claim against a subsidiary of Spacenet in Brazil, for alleged taxes due of approximately $ 4,000. In January 2004 and December 2005, the subsidiary filed its administrative defense which was denied by the first and second level courts, respectively. In September 2006, the subsidiary filed an annulment action seeking judicial cancellation of the claim. In May 2009, the subsidiary received notice of the court's first level decision which cancelled a significant part of the claim but upheld two items of the assessment. Under this new decision, the subsidiary's liability was reduced to approximately $ 1,530. This decision has been appealed by both the subsidiary and the State tax authorities and is pending review by the São Paulo Court of Appeals. As of December 31, 2010, the subsidiary faces a tax exposure of approximately $ 10,000 (the amount has increased due to interest and exchange rate differences).

 
F - 34
 
 
GILAT SATELLITE NETWORKS LTD. AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
U.S. dollars in thousands
 
NOTE 6:-       COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Cont.)

 
3.
In November 2009, a lawsuit was filed in the Central District Court in Israel by eight individuals and Israeli companies against the Company, all of its directors and its 20% shareholder, York Capital Management, and its affiliates. The plaintiffs claim damages based on the amounts they would have been paid had a merger agreement signed on March 31, 2008 with a consortium of buyers closed. The lawsuit, seeking damages of approximately $ 12,400, is similar to the lawsuit and motion for its approval as a class action proceeding previously filed by the same group of Israeli shareholders in October 2008. The October 2008 lawsuit and motion were withdrawn by the plaintiffs in July 2009 at the recommendation of the Court, which questioned the basis for the lawsuit.
 
The Company and its independent legal counsel believe the claims are completely without merit, and that the lawsuit is without basis. The Company intends to use all legal means necessary to protect and defend the Company and its directors.
 
 
4.
In December 2010, a lawsuit was filed against the Group in the Superior Court in Orange County, California by STM Group Inc. and Emil Youssefzadeh claiming damages for tortuous interference with contract and defamation for alleged actions in Peru.  The complaint seeks damages of approximately $6,000 in connection with the contract claim by STM Group, an unstated amount by Mr. Youssefzadeh, and exemplary damages and costs. The action was removed to the US District Court for the Central District of California and in March 2011, the Group moved to dismiss the complaint on several grounds. Although the Company's management believes the claims to be without merit, the Company's management cannot assess the likelihood of success because of the early stage of the litigation. The Group intends to use all legal means necessary to protect and defend the Group.

 
5.
The Group has certain tax exposures in some of the jurisdictions in which it conducts business. Specifically, in certain jurisdictions in the United States and in Latin America the Group is in the midst of different stages of audits and has received certain tax assessments. The tax authorities in these and in other jurisdictions in which the Group operates as well as the Israeli Tax Authorities may raise additional claims, which might result in increased exposures and ultimately, payment of additional taxes.

 
6.
The Group has accrued $ 14,507 and $ 14,276 as of December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively, for the expected implications of such legal and tax contingencies. These accruals are comprised of $ 12,309 and $ 13,551 of tax related accruals as of December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively, and $ 2,198 and $ 725 of legal and other accruals as of December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively. The accruals related to tax contingencies have been assessed by the Group's management based on the advice of outside legal and tax advisers. The total estimated exposure for the aforementioned tax related accruals is $ 22,871 and $ 24,592 as of December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively. The estimated exposure for legal and other related accruals is $ 6,907 and $ 2,410 as of December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

 
F - 35
 

GILAT SATELLITE NETWORKS LTD. AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
U.S. dollars in thousands
 
NOTE 6: -      COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Cont.)

The tax accruals include various tax matters such as taxes on income, property taxes, sales and use tax and value added tax, that are in different stages of audits, for which tax assessments have been received, or various tax exposures in which the Group has assessed the exposure and determined that an accrual is necessary. The accruals related to legal contingencies have been assessed by the Group's management based on the advice of independent legal advisers and are comprised of matters for which legal proceedings have been initiated against the Group.

The exposures and provisions related to income taxes have been assessed and provided for in accordance with ASC 740-10. Liabilities related to legal proceedings, demands and claims and other taxes are recorded in accordance with ASC 450, "Contingencies" ("ASC 450") (formerly: SFAS No. 5, "Accounting for Contingencies"), when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the associated amount can be reasonably estimated. The Group's management, based on its legal counsel opinion, believes that it had provided an adequate accrual to cover the costs to resolve the aforementioned legal proceedings, demands and claims.

 
f.
Pledges and securities - see Notes 9 and 12f.

 
g.
Guarantees:

 
The Group guarantees its performance to certain customers (generally to government entities) through bank guarantees and corporate guarantees. Guarantees are often required for the Group's performance during the installation and operational periods of long-term rural telephony projects such as in Latin America, and for the performance of other projects (government and corporate) throughout the rest of the world. The guarantees typically expire when certain operational milestones are met.

 
As of December 31, 2010, the aggregate amount of bank guarantees outstanding in order to secure the Group's various performance obligations was $ 6,081, including an aggregate of $ 2,147 on behalf of the subsidiary in Peru. The Group has restricted cash as collateral for these guarantees in an amount of $ 2,786.

 
In order to guarantee the Group's performance obligations for its Colombian activities, the Group secured insurance from a local insurance company in Colombia. The Group has provided the insurance company with various corporate guarantees, guaranteeing the Group's performance and its employee salary and benefit costs for in excess of approximately $ 36,800 and $ 7,900, respectively.

 
In addition, the Group has provided bank guarantees for certain leases throughout the world for an aggregate amount of $ 4,949. The Group has restricted cash as collateral for these guarantees in an amount of $ 4,611. The Group also provided other guarantees of $ 952 as of December 31, 2010, with $ 527 restricted cash as collateral for these guarantees.

 
F - 36
 

GILAT SATELLITE NETWORKS LTD. AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
U.S. dollars in thousands
 
NOTE 6: -      COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Cont.)

 
In accordance with ASC 460, "Guarantees" ("ASC 460") (formerly: FIN 45, "Guarantor's Accounting and Disclosure Requirements for Guarantees, Including Indirect Guarantees of Indebtedness of Others"), as the guarantees above are performance guarantees for the Group's own performance, such guarantees are excluded from the scope of ASC 460. The Group has not recorded any liability for such amounts, since the Group expects that its performance will be acceptable. To date, no guarantees have ever been exercised against the Group.
 
NOTE 7:-       HEDGING INSTRUMENTS

To protect against changes in value of forecasted foreign currency cash flows resulting from salaries and other payments that are denominated in NIS, the Company has entered into foreign currency forward contracts and put option contracts. These contracts are designated as cash flows hedges, as defined by ASC 815 (formerly SFAS No. 133), as amended, and are considered highly effective as hedges of these expenses.

During the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, the Company recognized net income (loss) of $ 1,023 and $ (46), respectively, related to the effective portion of its hedging instruments. The effective portion of the hedged instruments has been included as an offset (addition) of payroll expenses and other operating expenses in the statement of operations.

The ineffective portion of the hedged instrument amounted to $ 6 and $ 87 during the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively and has been recorded as financial income.

In accordance with ASC 820, foreign currency derivative contracts are classified within Level 2 as the valuation inputs are based on quoted prices and market observable data of similar instruments. As of December 31, 2010 the Company does not have any hedging instruments in the balance sheet, the fair value of the hedging instruments as of December 31, 2009 constituted an asset of approximately $ 416.
 
NOTE 8:-       EQUITY

 
a.
Share capital:

 
Ordinary shares confer upon their holders voting rights, the right to receive cash dividends and the right to share in excess assets upon liquidation of the Company.

 
F - 37
 
 
GILAT SATELLITE NETWORKS LTD. AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
U.S. dollars in thousands
 
NOTE 8:-       EQUITY (Cont.)

 
b.
Stock Option Plans:

 
The Company adopted ASC 718 (formerly SFAS 123(R)) using the modified prospective transition method, which requires the application of the accounting standard starting from January 1, 2006, the first day of the Company's fiscal year 2006. Under that transition method, compensation cost recognized in the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008 includes: (a) compensation cost for all stock-based payments granted prior to, but not yet vested as of January 1, 2006, based on the grant date fair value estimated in accordance with the original provisions of Statement 123, and (b) compensation cost for all stock-based payments granted subsequent to January 1, 2006, based on the grant-date fair value estimated in accordance with the provisions of ASC 718.

 
The Company recognizes compensation expenses for the value of its awards, which have graded vesting, granted prior to January 1, 2006, based on the accelerated attribution method and for awards granted subsequent to January 1, 2006, based on the straight line method over the requisite service period of each of the awards.

 Description of Plans

 
The Company has four stock option plans, the 1995 and the 2003 Stock Option and Incentive Plans and the 2005 and 2008 Stock Incentive Plans (the "Plans"). The 1995 Plan was amended in 1997, 1998 and 1999, and expired although there are still options outstanding under this plan. Under the 2003 Plan, options may be granted to employees, officers, directors and consultants of the Company.

 
In 2005, the Company's shareholders approved two increases in the number of options available for grant under the 2003 Plan for an aggregate of 4,635,000 shares to a total of 6,135,000 shares available for future grants. As of December 31, 2010, an aggregate of 408,720 shares of the Company are still available for future grants under the 2003 Plan.

 
The exercise price per share under the 1995 Plan was not less than the market price of an Ordinary share at the date of grant. The exercise price per share under the 2003 Plan is the higher of (i) $ 5.00 per share; and (ii) the market value of the shares as of the date of the option grant, unless otherwise provided in the stock option agreement.

 
In December 2005, the Company's shareholders approved the adoption of a new plan, the 2005 Plan with 1,500,000 shares or stock options available for grant. This Plan is designed to enable the Company's Board of Directors to determine various forms of incentives for all forms of service providers and, when necessary, adopt a sub-plan in order to grant specific incentives. Among the incentives that may be adopted are share options, performance share awards, performance share unit awards, restricted shares, restricted share unit awards and other stock-based awards. In October 2008, the Company's Board of Directors approved the adoption of a sub-plan to enable qualified optionees certain tax benefits under the Israeli Income Tax Ordinance. As of December 31, 2010, the Company granted 50,000 performance based options under the 2005 Plan, based on attaining sales target conditions, which are outstanding as of December 31, 2010 and 2009. As of December 31, 2010, the Company did not record any expenses relating to these options since achievement of the sales target is not expected.

 
F - 38
 

GILAT SATELLITE NETWORKS LTD. AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
U.S. dollars in thousands
 
NOTE 8:-       EQUITY (Cont.)

 
As of December 31, 2010, an aggregate of 50,814 shares of the Company are still available for future grants from the 2005 Plan.

 
In October 2008, the compensation stock option committee of the Company's Board of Directors approved the adoption of a new plan, the 2008 Plan with 1,000,000 shares or stock options available for grant and a sub-plan to enable qualified optionees certain tax benefits under the Israeli Income Tax Ordinance. Among the incentives that may be adopted are share options, performance share awards, performance share unit awards, restricted shares, restricted share unit awards and other stock-based awards. In October 2010 the Company's Board of Directors approved an increase in the number of shares or stock options available for grant under the 2008 Plan for 1,000,000 shares to a total of 2,000,000 shares available for future grants. As of December 31, 2010, an aggregate of 785,000 shares of the Company are still available for future grants under the 2008 Plan.

 
Options granted under the Plans above generally vest quarterly over two to four years. The options expire six, seven or ten years from the date of grant. Any options, which are forfeited or canceled before expiration, become available for future grants.

 
Valuation Assumptions

 
The Company estimates the fair value of stock options granted using the Black-Scholes-Merton option-pricing model. The option-pricing model requires a number of assumptions, of which the most significant are expected stock price volatility and the expected option term. Expected volatility was calculated based upon actual historical stock price movements.

 
The expected option term represents the period that the Company's stock options are expected to be outstanding and based on historical incidence of exercise of options. Prior to December 31, 2007, the expected term of options was determined based on the simplified method permitted by SAB No. 107 as the average of the vesting period and the contractual term. Starting January 1, 2008, the expected term of options granted is based upon historical experience complying with SAB 110. The risk-free interest rate is based on the yield from U.S. Treasury zero-coupon bonds with an equivalent term. The Company has historically not paid dividends and has no foreseeable plans to pay dividends.

 
F - 39
 
 
GILAT SATELLITE NETWORKS LTD. AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
U.S. dollars in thousands
 
NOTE 8:-       EQUITY (Cont.)

 Options granted to Employees and Non-employees

 
The fair value of the Company's stock options granted to employees for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008 was estimated using the following weighted average assumptions:

   
Year ended December 31,
  
   
2010
       2009*)       2008  
                       
Risk free interest
     1.70 %     -       1.18 %
Dividend yields
     0 %     -       0 %
Volatility
     45 %     -       45 %
Expected term (in years)
     4.75       -       3.6  

*)       No options were granted during the year ended December 31, 2009.

 
The grant date fair value of the Company's stock options granted to non-employees for the year ended December 31, 2010 was estimated using the following weighted average assumptions: risk free interest of 3.16%. dividend yield of 0%, volatility of 48% and expected term of 7 years. No options were granted to non-employees during the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008.

 
A summary of employee option balances under the Company's Stock Option Plans as of December 31, 2010 and changes during the year ended December 31, 2010 are as follows:

   
Number of options
    
Weighted-average exercise price
    
Weighted- average remaining contractual term
(in years)
    
Aggregate intrinsic value (in thousands)
  
                         
Outstanding at January 1, 2010
     4,187,555     $ 6.8       5.5     $ 366  
Granted
     60,000     $ 4.8                  
Exercised
     (3,000 )   $ 5.3                  
Expired
     (592 )   $ 1,113.3                  
Forfeited
     (39,849 )   $ 14.5                  
                                 
Outstanding at December 31, 2010
     4,204,114     $ 6.5       4.6     $ 610  
                                 
Exercisable at December 31, 2010
     3,903,132     $ 6.6       4.6     $ 410  
                                 
Vested and expected to vest at December 31, 2010
   $ 4,069,298     $ 6.5       4.6     $ 577  
 
 
F - 40
 
GILAT SATELLITE NETWORKS LTD. AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
U.S. dollars in thousands
 
NOTE 8:-       EQUITY (Cont.)

 
A summary of employee option balances under the Company's Stock Option Plans as of December 31, 2009 and 2008 and changes during the years ended on those dates are as follows:

   
Year ended December 31,
  
   
2009
    
2008
  
 
  
Number
of options
    
Weighted
average
exercise
price
    
Number
of options
    
Weighted
average
exercise
price
  
                         
Options outstanding at the beginning of the year
     4,293,624     $ 7.2       4,097,030     $ 8.6  
Changes during the year:
                                
Granted
     -       -       630,000     $ 4.3  
Exercised
     -       -       (336,718 )   $ 6.0  
Expired
     (1,167 )   $ 1,050.1       (3,846 )   $ 895.5  
Forfeited
     (104,902 )   $ 14.2       (92,842 )   $ 13.7  
                                 
Options outstanding at the end of the year
     4,187,555     $ 6.8       4,293,624     $ 7.2  
                                 
Options exercisable at the end of the year
     3,691,382     $ 7.0       3,541,578     $ 7.7  


 
A summary of non-employee option balances under the Company's Stock Option Plans as of December 31, 2010 and changes during the year ended December 31, 2010 are as follows:

   
Number of options
    
Weighted-average exercise price
    
Weighted- average remaining contractual term
(in years)
    
Aggregate intrinsic value (in thousands)
  
                         
Outstanding at January 1, 2010
     -                    
Granted
     365,000     $ 6.0              
Exercised
     -                      
Expired
     -                      
Forfeited
     -                      
                             
Outstanding at December 31, 2010
     365,000     $ 6.0       6.3     $ -  
                                 
Exercisable at December 31, 2010
     54,728     $ 6.0       6.3     $ -  
                                 
    Vested and expected to vest at December 31, 2010
   $ 350,172     $ 6.0       6.3     $ -  

 
No options were granted to non-employees during the year ended December 31, 2009 and 2008.

 
F - 41
 
 
GILAT SATELLITE NETWORKS LTD. AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
U.S. dollars in thousands

NOTE 8:-       EQUITY (Cont.)

 
The weighted-average grant-date fair value of options granted to employees during the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2008 was $ 1.93 and $ 0.55, respectively. The weighted-average grant-date fair value of options granted to non-employees during the year ended December 31, 2010 was $ 2.82.  The aggregate intrinsic value in the table above represents the total intrinsic value (the difference between the Company's closing stock price on the last trading day of the year 2010 and the exercise price, multiplied by the number of in-the-money options) that would have been received by the option holders had all option holders exercised their options on December 31, 2010. These amounts changes based on the fair market value of the Company's stock. Total intrinsic value of options exercised for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008 was approximately $ 1, nil and $ 2,127, respectively.

 
Total grant-date fair value of options and RSUs granted to employees that vested during the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008 was approximately $ 1,444, $ 861 and $ 1,623, respectively.

 
Total grant-date fair value of options and RSUs granted to consultants that vested during the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008 was approximately $ 179, $ 8 and $ 0, respectively.

 
The outstanding and exercisable options granted to employees under the Company's Stock Option Plans as of December 31, 2010, have been separated into ranges of exercise price as follows:

     
Options
    
Weighted
          
Options
    
Weighted
  
     
outstanding
    
average
    
Weighted
    
exercisable
    
average exercise
  
Ranges of
    
as of
    
remaining
    
average
    
as of
    
price of
  
exercise
    
December 31,
    
contractual
    
exercise
    
December 31,
    
exercisable
  
price
    
2010
    
life (years)
    
price
    
2010
    
options
  
                                 
$ 4.0 - 6.0       3,610,550       4.7     $ 5.4       3,366,131     $ 5.5  
$ 6.0 - 8.2       530,650       3.9     $ 7.2       478,775     $ 7.1  
$ 9.2 - 10.8       15,175       3.0     $ 9.8       10,487     $ 9.8  
$ 77.2 - 79.0       46,527       0.9     $ 77.5       46,527     $ 77.5  
$ 240.4 - 2,730.0       1,212       0.5     $ 241.4       1,212     $ 241.4  
                                             
          4,204,114       4.6     $ 6.5       3,903,132     $ 6.6  

 
The outstanding and exercisable options granted to non-employees under the Company's Stock Option Plans as of December 31, 2010, have been separated into ranges of exercise price as follows:

     
Options
    
Weighted
          
Options
    
Weighted
  
     
outstanding
    
average
    
Weighted
    
exercisable
    
average exercise
  
Ranges of
    
as of
    
remaining
    
average
    
as of
    
price of
  
exercise
    
December 31,
    
contractual
    
exercise
    
December 31,
    
exercisable
  
price
    
2010
    
life (years)
    
price
    
2010
    
options
  
                                 
$ 5.65-6.15       365,000       6.3     $ 6.0       54,728     $ 6.0  
                                             
          365,000       6.3     $ 6.0       54,728     $ 6.0  

 
F - 42
 
 
GILAT SATELLITE NETWORKS LTD. AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
U.S. dollars in thousands
 
NOTE 8:-       EQUITY (Cont.)
 
 Restricted Share Units ("RSUs") granted to Employees and Non-employees

 
The fair value of RSUs is estimated based on the market value of the Company's stock on the date of the award.

 
During 2010, 2009 and 2008, the Company granted 597,000, 65,000 and 1,455,000 RSUs, respectively. The entitlement to these RSUs vests over a four-year period (15%, 25%, 30% and 30% each year, respectively) in quarterly batches. The following table summarizes information regarding the number of RSUs issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2010 and changes during the year ended December 31, 2010:

  Employees:

   
Year ended December 31,
  
   
2010
    
2009
    
2008
  
   
Number of RSUs
    
Weighted
average
grant date
fair value
    
Number of RSUs
    
Weighted
average
grant date
fair value
    
Number of RSUs
    
Weighted
average
grant date
fair value
  
                                     
RSUs outstanding at the beginning of the year
     1,225,025     $ 3.2       1,455,000     $ 2.7       -     $ -  
Changes during the year:
                                                
Granted
     567,000     $ 5.5       65,000     $ 3.3       1,455,000     $ 2.7  
Vested
     (417,029 )   $ 2.9       (220,724 )   $ 2.7       -     $ -  
Forfeited
     (48,563 )   $ 2.7       (74,251 )   $ 2.7       -     $ -  
                                                 
RSUs outstanding at the end of the year
     1,326,433     $ 3.8       1,225,025     $ 2.7       1,455,000     $ 2.7  

  Non-employees:

   
Year ended December 31,
              
   
2010
    
2009
    
2008
  
   
Number of RSUs
    
Weighted
average
grant date
fair value
    
Number of RSUs
    
Weighted
average
grant date
fair value
    
Number of RSUs
    
Weighted
average
grant date
fair value
  
                                     
RSUs outstanding at the beginning of the year
     17,000     $ 2.7       20,000     $ 2.7       -     $ -  
Changes during the year:
                                                
Granted
     30,000     $ 5.2       -     $ -       20,000     $ 2.7  
Vested
     (5,000 )   $ 2.7       (3,000 )   $ 2.7       -     $ -  
Forfeited
     -     $ -       -     $ -       -     $ -  
                                                 
RSUs outstanding at the end of the year
     42,000     $ 4.5       17,000     $ 2.7       20,000     $ 2.7  
 
 
F - 43
 

GILAT SATELLITE NETWORKS LTD. AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
U.S. dollars in thousands
 
NOTE 8:-       EQUITY (Cont.)
 
 Additional Stock-based Compensation Data

 
As of December 31, 2010, there was approximately $ 4,853 of total unrecognized compensation costs related to non-vested stock-based compensation arrangements granted to employees under the Plans and approximately $ 801 of total unrecognized compensation costs related to non-vested stock-based compensation arrangements granted to non-employees under the Plans. The cost related to employees and non-employees are expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.59 years each.

 
c.
In December 2008, the Company granted 600,000 stock options to its Chairman of the Board of Directors and CEO and the other members of the Board of Directors at an exercise price of $ 4.00 per share. These options vest ratably, each quarter, over a three-year period. The fair value of these options was estimated at $ 234, using the Black-Scholes option-pricing valuation model which is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 3.58 years. These grants are detailed in the above table.

 
d.
Dividends:

 
1.
In the event that cash dividends are declared by the Company, such dividends will be declared and paid in Israeli currency. Under current Israeli regulations, any cash dividend in Israeli currency paid in respect of ordinary shares purchased by non-residents of Israel with non-Israeli currency, may be freely repatriated in such non-Israeli currency, at the exchange rate prevailing at the time of repatriation. The Company does not expect to pay cash dividends in the foreseeable future.

 
2.
Pursuant to the terms of a credit line from a bank (see also Note 12), the Company is restricted from paying cash dividends to its shareholders without initial approval from the bank.
 
NOTE 9:-       CONVERTIBLE SUBORDINATED NOTES
 
 
In 2003, the Company issued the 4.00% Convertible Subordinated Notes due 2012. The Company pays interest on Convertible Subordinated Notes semi-annually in arrears on April 1 and October 1 of each year, beginning on April 1, 2005. The Company is committed to pay approximately $ 400 of the principal amount of the notes on each of April 1 and October 1, in both 2010 and 2011, and the remaining principal amount at maturity. The notes are convertible at the option of the holder into the Company's Ordinary shares at a conversion price of $ 17.40 per Ordinary share at any time before close of business on October 1, 2012, unless the notes have been converted pursuant to a mandatory conversion clause as defined in the 4.00% Convertible Subordinated Note. Since January 1, 2005, the Company may, at its option, require the conversion right to be exercised under certain circumstances set forth in the indenture. During the years ended December 2010 and 2009, $1 and $10, respectively, of the Convertible Subordinate Notes were converted. In addition during 2009 the Company redeemed $ 248 of its Convertible Subordinated Notes. The collateral for the notes is a second priority security interest consisting of a floating charge on all of the Company's assets and a pledge of all on the shares of Spacenet, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company.
 
 
F - 44
 
 
GILAT SATELLITE NETWORKS LTD. AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
U.S. dollars in thousands
 
NOTE 9:-       CONVERTIBLE SUBORDINATED NOTES (Cont.)

 
The interest of the holders of the notes in the collateral is subordinated to the security interest granted for the benefit of lending banks. As of December 31, 2010 and 2009, the outstanding amount of the notes is $ 15,219 and $ 16,060, respectively. As of December 31, 2010, $ 840 was classified as "Current maturities of long-term loans and convertible subordinated notes".

 
The balance of the notes results from debt restructurings that occurred in 2003. The debt restructurings were accounted for as troubled debt restructuring on the basis of combination of types of restructuring and on the basis of modification of terms pursuant to ASC 470, "Debt" ("ASC 470") and ASC 310, "Receivables" ("ASC 310") (formerly: SFAS No. 15, "Accounting by Debtors and Creditors for Troubled Debt Restructuring", Emerging Issues Task Force No. 02-4, "Determining Whether a Debtor's Modification or Exchange of Debt Instruments Is within the Scope of FASB Statement No. 15" ("EITF 02-4"))  and ASC 470-50-45-1 (formerly: SFAS No. 145, "Rescission of SFAS No. 4, 44 and 64, Amendment of SFAS No. 13, and Technical Corrections"). Accordingly, the Company recognized a gain in 2003. As part of the accounting for the troubled debt restructurings, the Company accrued to the balance of the notes the remaining future interest payable until maturity, presented as a separate line item in the balance sheet. Therefore, at each reporting date the liabilities include both principal and all future remaining interest payments. Consequently, though the Company pays periodical interest payments, the statement of operations does not reflect the costs of such interest payments.
 
NOTE 10:-     IMPAIRMENT OF LONG-LIVED ASSETS AND OTHER CHARGES

During December 2008, the Colombian Government and the Group agreed to renegotiate certain terms of the contracts for the provision of services under the Compartel Projects, including the operational milestones going forward, so that they would better reflect the current telecom and business environment in Colombia. These amendments were signed in December 2008. The Group performed a cash flow analysis based on the guidance provided in ASC 360 (formerly SFAS 144) for these projects based on the revised terms. Based on such analysis, the Group recorded a loss representing an impairment of "long-lived assets and other charges" of $ 5,020.

The Group ensured that the accumulated revenue recognized from the Compartel Projects will not exceed the accumulated amounts previously released from the trust.

The Group recorded a loss of $ 5,020 for the year ended December 31, 2008, as follows:

   
Year ended December 31, 2008
  
       
Property and equipment impairment
   $ 4,133  
Other asset impairment and charges
     887  
         
    $ 5,020  

 
F - 45
 
 
GILAT SATELLITE NETWORKS LTD. AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
U.S. dollars in thousands
 
NOTE 11:-     TAXES ON INCOME

 
a.
ASC 740-10:

 
Interest associated with uncertain tax position is classified as financial expenses in the financial statements and penalties as general and administrative expenses.

 
A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax positions is as follows:

   
Year ended
December 31,
  
   
2010
    
2009
  
             
Balance at beginning of year
   $ 8,264     $ 7,312  
Increases related to current year tax positions
     669       435  
Increase (decrease) related to prior year tax positions, net
     (1,300 )     517  
                 
Balance at the end of year
   $ 7,633     $ 8,264  

 
The unrecognized tax benefits include accrued penalties and interest of $ 4,068 and $ 4,231 at December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively. During the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, the Group recorded $ (163) and $ 1,013, for penalties and interest, respectively. The unrecognized tax benefits as of December 31, 2010 and 2009 would, if recognized, reduce the annual effective tax rate.

 
The Group does not expect a reversal of unrecognized tax benefits in the next 12 months.

 
The Company and its subsidiaries file income tax returns in Israel and in other jurisdictions of its subsidiaries. As of December 31, 2010, the tax returns of the Company and its main subsidiaries are open to examination by the Israeli and other tax authorities for the tax years 2003 through 2010.

 
b.
The Company:

 
1.
Tax benefits under the Law for the Encouragement of Capital Investments, 1959 ("the Law"):
 
The Company has been granted an "Approved Enterprise" status, under the Law, for nine investment programs in the alternative program, by the Israeli Government. In addition, the Company elected 2005 as the Year of Election for a new Beneficiary Enterprise.

 
F - 46
 
 
GILAT SATELLITE NETWORKS LTD. AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
U.S. dollars in thousands
 
NOTE 11:-     TAXES ON INCOME (Cont.)

 
Since the Company is a "foreign investors' company", as defined by the above-mentioned Law, it is entitled to a ten-year period of benefits, for enterprises approved after April 1993. The main tax benefits from such status are a tax exemption for two to four years and a reduced tax rate (based on the percentage of foreign shareholding in each tax year) on income from all of its "Approved Enterprises" and "Beneficiary Enterprise", for the remainder of the benefit period. These tax benefits are subject to a limitation of the earlier of 12 years from commencement of operations, or 14 years from receipt of approval. The period of benefits for the nine programs has expired.

 
The Company is entitled to claim accelerated depreciation with respect to equipment used by its "Approved Enterprises" and Beneficiary Enterprise during the first five tax years of the operations of these assets.

 
On April 1, 2005, an amendment to the Law came into effect (the "Amendment") which significantly changed the provisions of the Law. The Amendment limits the scope of enterprises which may be approved by the Investment Center by setting criteria for the approval of a facility as an "Approved Enterprise", such as provisions generally requiring that at least 25% of the "Approved Enterprise" income will be derived from export. Additionally, the Amendment enacted major changes in the manner in which tax benefits are awarded under the Law so that companies no longer require Investment Center approval in order to qualify for tax benefits. Rather, a company may claim the tax benefits offered by the Investment Law directly in its tax returns, provided that its facilities meet the criteria for tax benefits set out by the Amendment. A company is also granted a right to approach the Israeli Tax Authorities for a pre-ruling regarding their eligibility for benefits under the Amendment.

 
Tax benefits are available under the Amendment to production facilities (or other eligible facilities), which are generally required to derive more than 25% of the Company's business income from export. In order to receive the tax benefits, the Amendment states that a company must make an investment in the Beneficiary Enterprise exceeding a minimum amount specified in the Law. Such investment may be made over a period of no more than three years ending at the end of the year in which the company requested to have the tax benefits apply to the Beneficiary Enterprise (the "Year of Election"). Where a company requests to have the tax benefits apply to an expansion of existing facilities, then only the expansion will be considered a Beneficiary Enterprise, and the company's effective tax rate will be the result of a weighted combination of the applicable rates. In this case, the minimum investment required in order to qualify as a Beneficiary Enterprise is required to exceed a certain percentage of the company's production assets before the expansion. The duration of tax benefits is subject to a limitation of the earlier of 7-10 years from the Commencement Year, or 12 years from the first day of the Year of Election. The period of benefits of the Beneficiary Enterprise will expire in 2017.

 
F - 47
 
 
GILAT SATELLITE NETWORKS LTD. AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
U.S. dollars in thousands
 
NOTE 11:-     TAXES ON INCOME (Cont.)

 
However, the Law provides that terms and benefits included in any certificate of approval already granted will remain subject to the provisions of the Law as they were on the date of such approval. Therefore, the Company's existing "Approved Enterprise" programs will generally not be subject to the provisions of the Amendment. As a result of the Amendment, tax-exempt income generated under the provisions of the new Law, will subject the Company to taxes upon distribution or liquidation and the Company may be required in the future to record deferred tax liability with respect to such tax-exempt income. As of December 31, 2010, the Company did not generate income under the provisions of the new Law.

 
On January 1, 2011, new legislation that constitutes a major amendment to the Investment Law was enacted (the "Amendment Legislation"). Under the new Amendment Legislation, a uniform rate of corporate tax would apply to all qualified income of certain Industrial Companies, as opposed to the current law's incentives that are limited to income from Approved Enterprises during their benefits period. According to the new law, the uniform tax rate would be 10% in areas in Israel that will be designated as Development Zone A and 15% elsewhere in Israel during 2011-2012, 7% and 12.5%, respectively, in 2013-2014,  6% and 12%, respectively, thereafter. Certain "Special Industrial Companies" that meet certain criteria would enjoy further reduced tax rates of 5% in Zone A and 8% elsewhere. The profits of these Industrial Companies would be freely distributable as dividends, subject to a 15% withholding tax (or lower, under an applicable tax treaty). The Company is not located in Development Zone A area.

 
Under the transitory provisions of the new Amendment Legislation, the Company may elect whether to irrevocably implement the new law in its Israeli company while waiving benefits provided under the current law or keep implementing the current law during the next years. Changing from the current law to the new law is permissible at any stage. The Company is examining the possible effect of the Amendment Legislation on its results.

 
The entitlement to the above mentioned benefits is dependent upon the Company fulfilling the conditions stipulated by the Law, regulations published there under and the certificates of approval for the specific investments in approved enterprises. In the event of failure to comply with these conditions, the benefits may be canceled and the Company may be required to refund the amount of the benefits, in whole or in part, with the addition of linkage differences to the Israeli CPI and interest.

 
The Company does not expect to pay any cash dividends. In the event of distribution of dividends from the above mentioned tax exempt income, the amount distributed would be taxed at the corporate tax rate applicable to such profits as if the Company had not elected the alternative program of benefits (depending on the level of foreign investment in the Company), currently between 10% to 25% for an "Approved Enterprise" and Beneficiary Enterprise.

 
F - 48
 
 
GILAT SATELLITE NETWORKS LTD. AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
U.S. dollars in thousands
 
NOTE 11:-     TAXES ON INCOME (Cont.)

 
Income from sources other than an "Approved Enterprise" during the benefit period is subject to tax at the regular corporate tax rate. The regular corporate tax rate in Israel was 25% in 2010 compared to 26% in 2009, 27% in 2008 and 29% in 2007. In July 2009, Israel's Parliament (the Knesset) passed the Economic Efficiency Law (Amended Legislation for Implementing the Economic Plan for 2009 and 2010), 2009, which prescribes, among other things, an additional gradual reduction in the Israeli corporate tax rate and real capital gains tax rate starting from 2011 to the following tax rates: 2011 - 24%, 2012 - 23%, 2013 - 22%, 2014 - 21%, 2015 - 20%, 2016 and thereafter - 18%. However, the effective tax rate payable by a Company that derives income from an Approved Enterprise or Beneficiary Enterprise, discussed hereinabove, may be considerably less.

 
c.
Non-Israeli subsidiaries:

 
Non-Israeli subsidiaries are taxed according to the tax laws in their respective domiciles of residence. The Company has not made any provisions relating to undistributed earnings of the Company's foreign subsidiaries since the Company has no current plans to distribute such earnings. If earnings are distributed to Israel in the form of dividends or otherwise, the Company may be subject to additional Israeli income taxes (subject to an adjustment for foreign tax credits) and foreign withholding taxes. It is not practicable to determine the amount of the unrecognized deferred tax liability for temporary differences related to investments in foreign subsidiaries.

 
d.
Carryforward tax losses and credits:

 
As of December 31, 2010, the Company had operating loss carry forwards for Israeli income tax purposes of approximately $ 50,000, which may be offset indefinitely against future taxable income.

 
The Company’s U.S. subsidiaries had carryforward tax losses of approximately $ 259,000 as of December 31, 2010. Utilization of U.S. net operating losses may be subject to substantial annual limitation due to the "change in ownership" provisions of Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and similar state provisions. The annual limitations may result in the expiration of net operating loss before utilization. In the U.S, carryforward tax losses can be utilized within 20 years.

 
The Group has carryforward tax losses relating to other subsidiaries in Europe and Latin America of approximately $ 55,000 and $ 35,000, as of December 31, 2010 respectively.

 
As of December 31, 2009 the Company had carryforward capital losses for which a full valuation allowance was provided in the amount of $ 74,000. In 2010 the Company incurred capital gains for tax purposes in the amount of $ 41,000 which was offset against the carryforward capital losses. As of December 31, 2010 the Company had carryforward capital losses for which a full valuation allowance was provided in the amount of $ 34,000.

 
F - 49
 
 
GILAT SATELLITE NETWORKS LTD. AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
U.S. dollars in thousands
 
NOTE 11:-     TAXES ON INCOME (Cont.)

 
e.
Deferred income taxes:

 
Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes. Significant components of the Groups' deferred tax liabilities and assets are as follows:

       
December 31,
  
       
2010
    
2009
  
                 
  1.  
Provided in respect of the following:
            
                   
     
Carryforward tax losses
   $ 127,247     $ 116,179  
     
Temporary differences relating to property and equipment
     10,762       14,965  
     
Other
     13,605       10,806  
                       
     
Gross deferred tax assets
     151,614       141,950  
                       
     
Valuation allowance
     (138,939 )     (138,317 )
                       
     
Net deferred tax assets
     12,675       3,633  
                       
     
Gross deferred tax liabilities
                
     
Temporary differences relating to property and equipment
     (19,180 )     (3,250 )
     
Other
     -       (383 )
                       
            (19,180 )     (3,633 )
                       
     
Net deferred tax assets (liabilities)
   $ (6,505 )   $ -  
                       
     
Domestic
   $ -     $ -  
                       
     
Foreign
     (6,505 )     -  
                       
          $ (6,505 )   $ -  

 
F - 50
 

GILAT SATELLITE NETWORKS LTD. AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
U.S. dollars in thousands
 
NOTE 11:-     TAXES ON INCOME (Cont.)

       
December 31,
  
       
2010
    
2009
  
                 
  2.  
Deferred taxes are included in the consolidated balance sheets, as follows:
            
                   
     
Current assets
   $ 1,462     $ 7  
                       
     
Non-current assets
     485       (7 )
                       
     
Current liabilities
     (326 )     -  
                       
     
Non-current liabilities
     (8,126 )     -  
                       
          $ (6,505 )   $ -  

 
3.
As of December 31, 2010, the Group increased the valuation allowance by approximately $ 622, resulting from changes in other temporary differences and from carry forward tax losses. Management currently believes that it is more likely than not that the deferred tax regarding the loss carry forwards and other temporary differences for which valuation allowance was provided will not be realized in the foreseeable future.

 
4.
The functional and reporting currency of the Company and certain of its subsidiaries is the U.S dollar. The difference between the annual changes in the NIS/dollar exchange rate causes a further difference between taxable income and the income before taxes shown in the financial statements. In accordance with ASC 740-10-25-3, the Company has not provided deferred income taxes on the difference between the functional currency and the tax basis of assets and liabilities.

 
F - 51
 
 
GILAT SATELLITE NETWORKS LTD. AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
U.S. dollars in thousands
 
NOTE 11:-     TAXES ON INCOME (Cont.)

 
f.
Reconciling items between the statutory tax rate of the Company and the effective tax rate:

   
Year ended
December 31,
  
   
2010
    
2009
    
2008
  
                   
Income before taxes, as reported in the consolidated statements of operations
   $ 30,630     $ 2,782     $ 321  
                         
Statutory tax rate
     25 %     26 %     27 %
                         
Theoretical tax expenses on the above amount at the Israeli statutory tax rate
   $ 7,660     $ 723     $ 87  
Currency differences
     (394 )     (107 )     (1,443 )
Tax adjustment in respect of different tax rates and "Approved Enterprise" status
     (568 )     3,413       (650 )
Changes in valuation allowance
     622       (5,365 )     3,113  
Taxes in respect of prior years
     (416 )     (315 )     -  
Stock compensation relating to options per ASC 718 (formerly: SFAS 123(R))
     247       159       179  
Changes in valuation allowance related to Capital gains
     (10,020 )     -       -  
Nondeductible expenses related to acquisitions
     1,472       -       -  
Nondeductible expenses and other differences
     1,408       2,396       159  
                         
    $ 11     $ 904     $ 1,445  
 
 
g.
Taxes on income included in the consolidated statements of operations:
 
   
Year ended
December 31,
  
   
2010
    
2009
    
2008
  
                   
Current year
   $ 677     $ 227     $ 1,710  
Prior years
     (416 )     (315 )     -  
Deferred income taxes
     (250 )     992       (265 )
                         
    $ 11     $ 904     $ 1,445  
                         
Domestic
   $ 31     $ (946 )   $ 761  
Foreign
     (20 )     1,850       684  
                         
    $ 11     $ 904     $ 1,445  

 
F - 52
 
GILAT SATELLITE NETWORKS LTD. AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
U.S. dollars in thousands
 
NOTE 11:-     TAXES ON INCOME (Cont.)

 
h.
Income before taxes on income from continuing operations:

   
Year ended
December 31,
  
   
2010
    
2009
    
2008
  
                   
Domestic
   $ 40,680     $ (1,947 )   $ 9,801  
Foreign
     (10,050 )     4,729       (9,480 )
                         
    $ 30,630     $ 2,782     $ 321  
 
NOTE 12:-     SUPPLEMENTARY BALANCE SHEET INFORMATION

 
a.
Other current assets:
   
December 31,
  
   
2010
    
2009
  
             
Receivables in respect of capital leases (see c below)
   $ 1,945     $ 3,105  
VAT receivables
     1,588       1,961  
Prepaid expenses
     2,968       1,705  
Deferred charges
     6,559       6,486  
Tax receivables
     857       2,519  
Employees
     140       139  
Income receivable
     898       644  
Advance payments to suppliers
     1,613       1,367  
Short term deferred taxes
     1,462       -  
Receivables from aborted merger
     2,750       -  
Adjustment to Wavestream purchase price
     1,030       -  
Other
     1,163       1,142  
                 
    $ $22,973     $ 19,068  

 
b.
Long-term trade receivables, receivables in respect of capital leases and other receivables:

   
December 31,
  
   
2010
    
2009
  
             
Long-term receivables in respect of capital leases (see c below)
   $ 5,947     $ 1,467  
Long-term deferred taxes
     484       -  
Other receivables
     107       737  
                 
    $ 6,538     $ 2,204  

 
F - 53
 
 
GILAT SATELLITE NETWORKS LTD. AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
U.S. dollars in thousands
 
NOTE 12:-     SUPPLEMENTARY BALANCE SHEET INFORMATION (Cont.)

 
c.
Receivables in respect of capital and operating leases:

 
The Group's contracts with customers contain long-term commitments, for remaining periods ranging from one to five years, to provide network services, equipment, installation and maintenance.

 
The aggregate minimum future payments to be received by the Group under these contracts as of December 31, 2010, are as follows (including unearned interest income in the amount of $ 2,801):

   
Capital
    
Operating
        
Year ending December 31,
  
lease
    
lease
    
Total
  
                   
2011
   $ 1,999     $ 1,615     $ 3,614  
2012
     976               976  
2013
     835               835  
2014
     800               800  
2015
     800               800  
2016 and after
     5,283               5,283  
                         
    $ 10,693     $ 1,615     $ 12,308  

 
The net investments in capital lease receivables as of December 31, 2010, are $ 7,892. Total revenue from capital and operating leases amounted to $ 8,868, $ 6,018 and $ 13,727 in the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively.

 
d.
Short-term bank credit:

 
The following is classified by currency and interest rates:

 
    Weighted average
interest rate
              
    December 31,     December 31,  
   
2010
    
2009
    
2010
    
2009
  
   
%
        
                         
In dollars
     4.5       -     $ 2,129     $ -  

 
F - 54
 

GILAT SATELLITE NETWORKS LTD. AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
U.S. dollars in thousands
 
NOTE 12:-     SUPPLEMENTARY BALANCE SHEET INFORMATION (Cont.)

 
e.
Other current liabilities:

   
December 31,
  
   
2010
    
2009
  
             
Deferred revenue
   $ 10,441     $ 7,540  
Payroll and related employee accruals
     7,947       5,133  
Government authorities
     4,452       3,374  
Advances from customers
     5,865       4,997  
Provision for vacation pay
     6,151       4,540  
Capital lease
     970       -  
Other
     3,849       2,570  
                 
    $ 39,675     $ 28,154  


 f.             Long-term loans:

     
Interest rate for
          
December 31,
  
     
2010
    
2009
          
2010
    
2009
  
 
Linkage
  
%
    
%
    
Maturity
        
                                 
Other loans from banks:
                                
 (a), (d)
U.S.dollar
     4.77 %     -       2012-2022     $ 40,000     $ -  
 (b)
Euro
     6.3 %     6.3 %     2009-2011       5,399       6,210  
 (c)
Euro
     7.9 %     -       2011       757       -  
 (e), (d)
U.S.dollar
     -    
LIBOR +1.4%
       2010       -       8,000  
     Other loans:
U.S.dollar / NIS
     10% / 6 %     -       2011-2014       392       -  
                                           
                                           
                                46,548       14,210  
Less - current maturities
                               1,346       4,380  
                                           
                              $ 45,202     $ 9,830  

 
(a)
The Company entered into a loan agreement with an Israeli bank. The loan is secured initially by a floating charge on the assets of the Company which will be converted to a negative pledge in October 2012, and is further secured by a fixed pledge (mortgage) on the Company’s real estate in Israel. In addition, there are financial covenants associated with the loan. As of December 31, 2010 the Company's management believes it is in compliance with these covenants.

 
(b)
A Dutch subsidiary of the Company entered into a mortgage and loan agreement with a German bank. The amount of the mortgage as of December 31, 2010, is collateralized by the subsidiary's facilities in Germany.

 
F - 55
 
 
GILAT SATELLITE NETWORKS LTD. AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
U.S. dollars in thousands
 
NOTE 12:-     SUPPLEMENTARY BALANCE SHEET INFORMATION (Cont.)

 
(c)
Raysat BG entered into a mortgage business loan with a Bulgarian bank. The amount of the mortgage as of December 31, 2010, is collateralized by Raysat BG building in Bulgaria.

 
(d)
In order to secure credit lines provided by its banks, the Company granted a floating charge on its facilities and restricted cash in an amount of $ 2,470. As of December 31, 2010, the Company used approximately $ 2,564 of those credit lines.

 
(e)
In March 2003, the Company concluded a restructuring process reaching an agreement with the banks and other creditors, which revised the loan terms. The loan was fully repaid during 2010.

 
g.
Long-term debt maturities for loans after December 31, 2010, are as follows:

Year ending December 31,
      
       
2011
   $ 1,346  
2012
     4,594  
2013
     4,599  
2014
     4,549  
2015
     4,521  
2016 and after
     26,939  
         
    $ 46,548  

 
Interest expenses on the long-term loans amounted to $ 626, $ 708 and $ 1,211, for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively.

 
h.
As for the convertible subordinated notes, see Note 9.

 
i.
Other long-term liabilities:

   
December 31,
  
   
2010
    
2009
  
             
Deferred revenue
   $ 1,878     $ 3,081  
Space segment
     1,000       1,250  
Restructuring charges (mainly termination of lease commitments)
     1,080       1,237  
Long-term tax accrual
     7,592       8,181  
Long term deferred taxes
     8,126       -  
Deferred income
     6,730       -  
Contingent consideration
     2,539       -  
Capital lease
     777       -  
Other
     2,956       2,531  
                 
    $ 32,678     $ 16,280  

 
F - 56
 

GILAT SATELLITE NETWORKS LTD. AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
U.S. dollars in thousands
 
NOTE 13:-     SELECTED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS DATA

 
a.
Research and development expenses, net:

   
Year ended December 31,
  
   
2010
    
2009
    
2008
  
                   
Total cost
   $ 22,194     $ 16,281     $ 18,702  
Less:
                        
Non-royalty-bearing grants
     3,249       2,311       1,760  
                         
Total research and development expenses, net
   $ 18,945     $ 13,970     $ 16,942  

 
b.
Allowance for doubtful accounts:

   
Year ended
December 31,
  
   
2010
    
2009
    
2008
  
                   
Balance at beginning of year
   $ 6,278     $ 4,370     $ 4,528  
Increase during the year
     647       2,404       1,252  
Amounts collected
     (311 )     -       -  
Write-off of bad debts
     (840 )     (496 )     (1,410 )
                         
Balance at the end of year
   $ 5,774     $ 6,278     $ 4,370  

 
c.
Financial income (expenses), net:
 
   
Year ended
December 31,
  
   
2010
    
2009
    
2008
  
Income:
                  
Interest on cash equivalents, bank deposits, restricted cash and accretion
   of discounts of held-to-maturity marketable securities
   $ 1,072     $ 2,745     $ 4,367  
Interest with respect to capital lease
     272       675       957  
Other
     367       1,206       2,280  
                         
      1,711       4,626       7,604  
Expenses:
                        
Interest with respect to short-term bank credit and other
     17       370       2,358  
Interest with respect to long-term loans
     924       708       1,211  
Other
     1,327       2,498       2,735  
                         
      2,268       3,576       6,304  
                         
Total financial income, net
   $ (557 )   $ 1,050     $ 1,300  

 
F - 57
 

GILAT SATELLITE NETWORKS LTD. AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
U.S. dollars in thousands
 
NOTE 13:-     SELECTED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS DATA (Cont.)

 
d.
Other income:

 
During the year ended December 31, 2010, the Company recorded other income of $37,360 consisting of proceeds of $24,314 from the sale of an investment which previously had been written off and from $13,314 derived from the settlement agreements relating to the aborted Agreement and Plan of Merger which was signed in August 2010, providing for a total payment of approximately $20,000 (see also note 1c). Out of the $ 13,314 an amount of $ 11,185 was received in cash and the remainder amount of $ 2,129 is due to be received in 2011 and is recorded as part of other current assets.

 
In 2009 and 2008, the Company sold another investment accounted for at cost, which previously had been written off for total amount of $ 2,597 and $ 1,801 respectively.

 
In addition, during the year ended December 31, 2008, the Company received a dividend from the said investment, in an amount of $ 1,182.
 
NOTE 14:-     CUSTOMERS, GEOGRAPHIC AND SEGMENT INFORMATION

The Group applies ASC 280, "Segment Reporting" ("ASC 280") (formerly: SFAS No. 131, "Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information"). Segments are managed separately and can be described as follows:

Gilat worldwide which is comprised of two reportable segments:

Gilat International: Gilat International focuses on sales of solutions to operators by provision of its proprietary standard VSAT technology and hybrid solutions. The business of Gilat International reflects the generation of revenue from sales of the Group's satellite-based networking equipment, professional services and applications. The charges to customers for satellite networking products, applications or professional services vary with the number of sites, the location of sites, installation services required and the types of technologies and protocols employed.

Gilat Peru & Colombia: The business of Gilat Peru & Colombia is comprised of several government-sponsored rural projects for telephony and/or internet and data connectivity. To date, this business segment includes satellite-based rural telephony and internet access solutions in remote areas in Latin America.
 
Spacenet Inc.: Spacenet's business consists of business activity as an operator of communications networks for the provision of telephony, data and Internet services to its customers, primarily in the Americas. The charges to customers for networking services vary with the type of operations provided, the length of the contract, the amount of satellite capacity and the types of technologies and protocols employed.
 
 
F - 58
 

GILAT SATELLITE NETWORKS LTD. AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
U.S. dollars in thousands
 
NOTE 14:-     CUSTOMERS, GEOGRAPHIC AND SEGMENT INFORMATION (Cont.)

Wavestream: Wavestream’s business provides high power solid state amplifiers (SSPA) Block Upconverters (BUC) with field-proven, high performance solutions designed for mobile and fixed satellite communication (SATCOM) systems worldwide, primarily in the defense market.

 
a.
Information on the reportable segments:

 
1.
The measurement of the reportable operating segments is based on the same accounting principles applied in these financial statements.

 
2.
When reported by segment, the results of Gilat Worldwide (consisting of Gilat International and Gilat Peru & Colombia), Spacenet and Wavestream are presented based upon intercompany transfer prices.

 
3.
Financial data relating to reportable operating segments:

   
Year ended December 31, 2010
  
   
Gilat Worldwide
                          
   
Gilat
International
    
Gilat Peru & Colombia
    
Spacenet Inc
    
Wavestream*
    
Consolidation
    
Total
  
Revenue:
                                    
External revenue
   $ 113,723     $ 35,862     $ 79,359     $ 4,041     $ -     $ 232,985  
Internal revenue
     17,064       -       -       -       (17,064 )     -  
                                                 
    $ 130,787     $ 35,862     $ 79,359     $ 4,041     $ (17,064 )   $ 232,985  
                                                 
Financial income (expenses), net
   $ 346     $ (717 )   $ (169 )   $ (17 )   $ -     $ (557 )
                                                 
Income (loss) before taxes on income
   $ 37,534     $ 2,329     $ (8,539 )   $ (802 )   $ 108     $ 30,630  
                                                 
Taxes on income (tax benefit)
   $ (873 )   $ 1,189     $ (470 )   $ 165     $ -     $ 11  

 
*)
Wavestream became a reportable segment since it was acquired on November 29, 2010, therefore its results represent only one month of operations.

   
Year ended December 31, 2009
  
   
Gilat Worldwide
                    
   
Gilat
International
    
Gilat Peru & Colombia
    
Spacenet Inc
    
Consolidation
    
Total
  
Revenue:
                              
External revenue
   $ 97,846     $ 46,676     $ 83,537     $ -     $ 228,059  
Internal revenue
     11,870       -       -       (11,870 )     -  
                                         
    $ 109,716     $ 46,676     $ 83,537     $ (11,870 )   $ 228,059  
                                         
Financial income, net
   $ 208     $ 534     $ 308     $ -     $ 1,050  
                                         
Income (loss) before taxes on income
   $ 234     $ 8,325     $ (5,070 )   $ (707 )   $ 2,782  
                                         
Taxes on income
   $ 866     $ 38     $ -     $ -     $ 904  

 
F - 59
 
 
GILAT SATELLITE NETWORKS LTD. AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
U.S. dollars in thousands
 
NOTE 14:-     CUSTOMERS, GEOGRAPHIC AND SEGMENT INFORMATION (Cont.)


   
Year ended December 31, 2008
  
   
Gilat Worldwide
                    
   
Gilat
International
    
Gilat Peru & Colombia
    
Spacenet Inc
    
Consolidation
    
Total
  
Revenue:
                              
External revenue
   $ 136,624     $ 24,542     $ 106,360     $ -     $ 267,526  
Internal revenue
     25,296       -       -       (25,296 )     -  
                                         
    $ 161,920     $ 24,542     $ 106,360     $ (25,296 )   $ 267,526  
                                         
Financial income (expenses), net
   $ 452     $ (554 )   $ 1,402     $ -     $ 1,300  
                                         
Income (loss) before taxes on income
   $ 10,181     $ (15,014 )   $ 3,809     $ 1,345     $ 321  
                                         
Taxes on income
   $ 1,160     $ 201     $ 84     $ -     $ 1,445  


 
b.
Revenues by geographic areas:

 
Following is a summary of revenues by geographic areas. Revenues attributed to geographic areas, based on the location of the end customers, and in accordance with ASC 280, are as follows:

   
Year ended
December 31,
  
   
2010
    
2009
    
2008
  
                   
United States
   $ 83,314     $ 84,590     $ 106,674  
South America and Central America
     84,388       89,170       73,616  
Asia
     36,350       36,131       39,486  
Europe
     12,693       6,948       12,222  
Africa
     16,240       11,220       35,528  
                         
    $ 232,985     $ 228,059     $ 267,526  

 
c.
During 2010 and 2008, the Group did not have any single customer or country generating revenues exceeding 10% of the Group's total revenues.

 
Net revenues to one major customer located in Colombia accounted for 11% of total consolidated revenues for the year ended December 31, 2009.

 
F - 60
 
 
GILAT SATELLITE NETWORKS LTD. AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
U.S. dollars in thousands
 
NOTE 14:-     CUSTOMERS, GEOGRAPHIC AND SEGMENT INFORMATION (Cont.)

 
d.
The Group's long-lived assets are located as follows:

   
December 31,
  
   
2010
    
2009
  
             
Israel
   $ 74,268     $ 75,349  
Latin America
     5,977       6,943  
United States
     14,025       10,894  
Europe
     8,959       7,066  
Other
     261       280  
                 
    $ 103,490     $ 100,532  
 
F - 61