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Kyocera Photovoltaic Systems Chosen to Power Rural Telephony in Tibet

SCOTTSDALE, Arizona, U.S.A. (May 22, 2003) – Kyocera Solar, Inc. announced today that it will supply solar electric generating systems for satellite-connected public payphones in more than 1,300 Tibetan villages by the end of 2003.

Kyocera is working with Gilat Satellite Networks Ltd., a leader in rural telephony programs, to provide the systems to China Telecom Tibet. Approximately 3,500 Kyocera KC-80 photovoltaic modules will be used to power the systems, which will vary in size from 240 watts to 1,200 watts, depending on individual requirements.

"Each system’s critical components were designed and integrated at Kyocera by the world’s leading solar power engineers," said Chris Pinelli, Kyocera Solar, Inc.’s Director of International Projects. "At the same time, each system’s physical support structures and batteries will be provided through China Telecom, to help support the local economy."

Each village involved in the effort will receive up to six satellite channels, providing residents access to public phones, in some cases, for the first time in their lives. The system is attracting international attention because it will allow China Telecom to provide phone services without building any costly fixed-line infrastructure.

Kyocera Solar and Gilat have been providing solar-powered communications systems to China since 1998, when more than 1,000 systems were delivered to Xinjiang Province. "For over eight years, Kyocera’s solar equipment and services have helped us provide superior telecommunications technologies to remote locations worldwide," said Israel Liber, a systems engineer at Gilat Satellite Networks.

"The success of our earlier systems in Xinjiang has greatly facilitated our current efforts in Tibet," Pinelli stated.

Kyocera Solar, Inc. is a world-leading supplier of solar electric energy solutions for the telecommunications industry, with headquarters in Scottsdale, Arizona (USA) and sales affiliates in the Americas and Australia. The company is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Kyocera International, Inc. of San Diego, California, the North American headquarters and holding company for Kyoto, Japan-based Kyocera Corporation. The Kyocera Solar Group can be reached online at: http://www.kyocerasolar.com/markets/industry.htm

Gilat Satellite Networks Ltd., with its global subsidiaries Spacenet Inc., Gilat Latin America, Inc. and rStar Corporation (RTRCE), is a leading provider of telecommunications solutions based on Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT) satellite network technology – with nearly 400,000 VSATs shipped worldwide. Gilat markets the Skystar Advantage, DialAw@y IP, FaraWay, Skystar 360E and SkyBlaster* 360 VSAT products in more than 70 countries around the world. The Company provides satellite-based, end-to-end enterprise networking and rural telephony solutions to customers across six continents, and markets interactive broadband data services. The Company is a joint venture partner in SATLYNX, a provider of two-way satellite broadband services in Europe with SES GLOBAL. Skystar Advantage(R), DialAw@y IP(TM) and FaraWay(TM) are trademarks or registered trademarks of Gilat Satellite Networks Ltd. or its subsidiaries. Visit Gilat at  www.gilat.com. (*SkyBlaster is marketed in the United States by StarBand Communications Inc. under its own brand name.)