INTRODUCTION

We are a leading global provider of satellite-based broadband communications. We design and manufacture ground segment equipment and provide comprehensive solutions and end-to-end services, powered by our innovative technology. Our portfolio comprises a cloud- based satellite network platform, Very Small Aperture Terminals (VSATs), amplifiers, high-speed modems, high performance on-the-move antennas and high efficiency, high power Solid State Amplifiers (SSPAs) and Block Upconverters (BUCs). Our comprehensive solutions support multiple applications with a full portfolio of products to address key applications including broadband access, cellular backhaul, enterprise, in-flight connectivity, maritime, trains, defense and public safety, all while meeting the most stringent service level requirements. We have a large installed base, having sold over 1.5 million satellite terminals spanning approximately 90 countries and currently have over 500 active networks.

In addition to developing and marketing ground-based satellite communications equipment, we provide managed network and services through terrestrial and satellite networks. We have proven experience in delivering complex projects and services worldwide. We offer complete turnkey integrated solutions including:

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fully managed satellite communications services, including services over our own networks;

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network planning and optimization;

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provision of satellite capacity;

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remote network operation;

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call center support;

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hub and field operations; and

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construction and installation of communication networks, typically on a Build, Operate and Transfer, or BOT, contract basis.

In these BOT projects we build telecommunication infrastructure typically using fiber-optic and wireless technologies for broadband connectivity.

We have a large installed base, having sold over 1.5 million satellite terminals spanning approximately 90 countries and currently have over 500 active networks.

We have 20 sales and support offices worldwide, three Network Operation Centers, or NOCs, and five R&D centers. Our products are sold to communication service providers and operators that use satellite communications to serve enterprise, government and residential users, to mobile network operators and to system integrators that use our technology. Our solutions and services are also sold to defense and homeland security organizations. In addition, we provide services directly to end-users in various market segments, including in certain countries in Latin America.

Through 2017, we operated in three business segments, comprised of our Commercial, Mobility and Services divisions:

• Commercial Division – provides advanced fixed satellite networks, satellite communication systems, small cell solutions and associated professional services and comprehensive turnkey solutions and fully managed satellite services solutions. Our customers are service providers, satellite operators, mobile network operators, or MNOs, telecommunication companies, or Telcos, and large enterprises worldwide. We focus on high throughput satellites, or HTS, opportunities worldwide, with focus on cellular backhaul, and are driving meaningful partnerships with satellite operators to leverage our technology and breadth of services to deploy and operate the ground segment.

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• Mobility Division – provides advanced, satellite communication on the move systems, including airborne, maritime and ground-mobile satellite systems and solutions. Our customers are service providers, system integrators, defense and homeland security organizations, as well as other commercial entities worldwide. The division provides solutions for land, sea and air connectivity, while placing major focus on the high-growth market of In-Flight Connectivity, or IFC, with its unique leading technology. The division’s portfolio comprises high-speed modems, high performance on-the-move antennas and high efficiency, high power Solid State Amplifiers (SSPAs) and BUCs.

• Services Division – provides managed network and services for rural broadband access via our subsidiaries in Peru and Colombia. Our connectivity solutions have been implemented in large and national scale projects. Our terrestrial and satellite networks provide Internet and telephony services to thousands of rural communities and schools. Our turnkey solutions start with supplying network infrastructure, continue through ensuring high-quality, reliable connectivity and include full network support and maintenance, as well as support for applications that run on the installed network.

Commencing in the first quarter of 2018, in order to more accurately reflect management’s focus, organizational alignment, our customer base and end markets, we will operate in three new business segments, as follows:

Fixed Networks includes broadband satellite network equipment including our cellular backhaul solutions and services for Telcos, as well as our products and solutions for enterprises, consumers and governments worldwide, which are currently under the Commercial division. In addition, it includes our network operation and managed services activity in Peru and Colombia, which are currently part of the Services segment.

Mobility Solutions (previously named Mobility division) will remain intact and will continue to include satellite communication equipment for on-the-move satellite communications including our IFC activity as well as our defense and homeland security activities.

Terrestrial Infrastructure Projects includes our construction of the FITEL fiber and microwave network in Peru, which is currently part of the Services division.

The above changes in our reportable segments will have no effect on the goodwill assignment among the divisions.

Our ordinary shares are traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol “GILT” and on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange, or the TASE. 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 marks “Gilat®”, “SkyEdge®”,” Wavestream®”, “AeroStream™”, “Raysat®”, “SatTrooper^TM”, “SatRanger^TM” and “Spatial AdvantEdge™” and other marks appearing in this annual report on Form 20-F marked with “®“ or “™” are trademarks of our company and its subsidiaries. Other trademarks appearing in this Annual Report on Form 20-F are owned by their respective holders.

This Annual Report on Form 20-F contains various “forward‑looking statements” within the meaning of 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. Such forward-looking statements reflect our current view with respect to future events and, financial results of operations. Forward-looking statements usually include the verbs, “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “projects,” “understands” and other verbs suggesting uncertainty. We remind readers that forward-looking statements are merely predictions and therefore inherently subject to uncertainties and other factors and involve known and unknown risks that could cause the actual` results, performance, levels of activity, or our achievements, or industry results to be materially different from any future results, performance, levels of activity, or our achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward‑looking statements which speak only as of the date hereof. We undertake no obligation to publicly release any revisions to these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. We have attempted to identify additional significant uncertainties and other factors affecting forward-looking statements in the Risk Factors section which appears in Item 3D: “Key Information–Risk Factors”.

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 December 31, 2017 was NIS 3.467 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 of its terms.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART I		1
ITEM 1:	IDENTITY OF DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND ADVISORS	1
ITEM 2:	OFFER STATISTICS AND EXPECTED TIMETABLE	1
ITEM 3:	KEY INFORMATION	1
A.	Selected Consolidated Financial Data	1
B.	Capitalization and Indebtedness	2
C.	Reasons for the Offer and Use of Proceeds	2
D.	Risk Factors	2
ITEM 4:	INFORMATION ON THE COMPANY	23
A.	History and Development of the Company	23
B.	Business Overview	24
C.	Organizational Structure	40
D.	Property, Plants and Equipment	40
ITEM 4A:	UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS	40
ITEM 5:	OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW AND PROSPECTS	41
A.	Operating Results	41
B.	Liquidity and Capital Resources	58
C.	Research and Development	60
D.	Trend Information	61
E.	Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements	61
F.	Tabular Disclosure of Contractual Obligations	62
ITEM 6:	DIRECTORS AND SENIOR MANAGEMENT	62
A.	Directors and Senior Management	62
B.	Compensation of Directors and Officers	66
C.	Board Practices	69
D.	Employees	77
E.	Share Ownership	78
ITEM 7:	MAJOR SHAREHOLDERS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS	79
A.	Major Shareholders	79
B.	Related Party Transactions	81
C.	Interests of Experts and Counsel	81
ITEM 8:	FINANCIAL INFORMATION	81
ITEM 9:	THE OFFER AND LISTING	82
A.	Offer and Listing Details	82
B.	Plan of Distribution	83
C.	Markets	84
D.	Selling Shareholders	84
E.	Dilution	84
F.	Expense of the Issue	84
ITEM 10:	ADDITIONAL INFORMATION	84
A.	Share Capital	84
B.	Memorandum and Articles of Association	84
C.	Material Contracts	89
D.	Exchange Controls	89
E.	Taxation	89
F.	Dividend and Paying Agents	97
G.	Statement by Experts	97
H.	Documents on Display	97
I.	Subsidiary Information	98

ITEM 11:	QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK	98
ITEM 12:	DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES OTHER THAN EQUITY SECURITIES	99
PART II		100
ITEM 13:	DEFAULTS, DIVIDEND ARREARAGES AND DELINQUENCIES	100
ITEM 14:	MATERIAL MODIFICATIONS TO THE RIGHTS OF SECURITY HOLDERS AND USE OF PROCEEDS	100
ITEM 15:	CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES	100
ITEM 16:	RESERVED	101
ITEM 16A:	AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT	101
ITEM 16B:	CODE OF ETHICS	101
ITEM 16C:	PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES	101
ITEM 16D.	EXEMPTIONS FROM THE LISTING STANDARDS FOR AUDIT COMMITTEES	102
ITEM 16E:	PURCHASE OF EQUITY SECURITIES BY THE ISSUER AND AFFILIATED PURCHASERS	102
ITEM 16F:	CHANGES IN REGISTRANT’S CERTIFYING ACCOUNTANT	102
ITEM 16G.	CORPORATE GOVERNANCE	102
ITEM 16H.	MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURE	103
PART III		103
ITEM 17:	FINANCIAL STATEMENTS	103
ITEM 18:	FINANCIAL STATEMENTS	103
ITEM 19:	EXHIBITS	103
S I G N A T U R E S		105

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PART I

ITEM 1:

IDENTITY OF DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND ADVISORS

Not Applicable.

ITEM 2:

OFFER STATISTICS AND EXPECTED TIMETABLE

Not Applicable.

ITEM 3:

KEY INFORMATION

A.	Selected Consolidated Financial Data

The selected consolidated statement of operations data set forth below for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, and the selected consolidated balance sheet data as of December 31, 2017 and 2016 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. GAAP. The selected consolidated statement of operations data set forth below for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 and the selected consolidated balance sheet data as of December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 are derived from our audited consolidated financial statements that are not included in this Annual Report.

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.

Statement of Operations Data for Year ended December 31,

	2017			2016			2015			2014			2013
	(U.S. dollars in thousands, except for share data)

Revenues:
Products		214,522			214,291			128,970			157,531			133,554
Services		68,234			65,260			68,573			77,602			101,312
Total		282,756			279,551			197,543			235,133			234,866
Cost of revenues:
Products		153,167			162,563			94,683			106,905			86,304
Services		47,094			41,498			48,635			44,593			68,906
Impairment of long lived assets		-			-			10,137			-			-
Total Cost of revenues		200,261			204,061			153,455			151,498			155,210
Gross profit		82,495			75,490			44,088			83,635			79,656
Operating expenses:
Research and development, net		28,014			24,853			22,412			25,158			27,900
Selling and marketing		23,759			23,411			24,823			32,537			32,214
General and administrative		19,861			26,471			18,644			20,903			23,071
Restructuring costs		-			-			1,508			-			564
Goodwill impairment		-			-			20,402			-			-
Total Operating expenses		71,634			74,735			87,789			78,598			83,749
Operating income (loss)		10,861			755			(43,701	)		5,037			(4,093	)
Financial expenses, net		(4,307	)		(4,843	)		(7,243	)		(3,837	)		(6,239	)
Other income		-			-			-			-			-
Income (loss) before taxes on income		6,554			(4,088	)		(50,944	)		1,200			(10,332	)
Taxes on income (tax benefit)		(247	)		1,252			1,190			1,901			(755	)

Net income (loss) from continuing operations		6,801			(5,340	)		(52,134	)		(701	)		(9,577	)
Loss from discontinued operations (1)		-			-			(200	)		(795	)		(8,320	)
Net income (loss)		6,801			(5,340	)		(52,334	)		(1,496	)		(17,897	)

Net income (loss) per share (basic and diluted) from continuing operations (2)		0.12			(0.10	)		(1.16	)		(0.02	)		(0.22	)
Loss per share (basic and diluted) from discontinued operations (2)		-			-			-			(0.02	)		(0.19	)
Net income (loss) per share (basic and diluted) (2)		0.12			(0.10	)		(1.16	)		(0.04	)		(0.41	)

Balance Sheet Data as of December 31,
	2017		2016		2015		2014		2013
	U.S. dollars in thousands

Working capital		99,042		92,609		60,529		66,588		77,307
Total assets.		386,820		383,198		370,833		364,908		368,768
Short‑term bank credit and loans and current maturities		4,479		4,617		11,542		20,452		4,665
Long term loan, net of current maturities		12,582		16,932		21,493		26,271		31,251
Other long-term liabilities		9,007		9,766		11,484		13,336		14,505
Shareholders’ equity		218,322		209,826		178,082		225,139		226,033

(1)	In December 2013, we sold Spacenet Inc., a provider of managed network communications services utilizing satellite wireline and wireless networks and associated technology.

(2)	The loss per share for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 was adjusted, following the rights offering that the Company concluded in March 2016.

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

A significant portion of our revenue comes from one customer.

We depend on one large, long-term customer for a significant portion of our revenues. For the year ended December 31, 2017, the FITEL Regional Projects accounted for approximately 28% of our revenue and 34% of our revenues in 2016. As of December 31, 2017, we have approximately $57.4 million in “un-billed accounts receivable” related to the FITEL Regional Projects. The FITEL Regional Projects that were awarded to us in 2015 are expected to generate $393 million in revenues over approximately 13 years. If FITEL were to terminate the existing contracts with us or substantially reduce the services they purchase from us, our revenues and results of operations could be materially adversely affected. In addition, negative developments in the political or business climate of Peru or of FITEL could result in significantly decreased revenue from sales and the provision of services, which could seriously harm our business, operating results and financial condition.

We have incurred major losses in past years and may not operate profitably in the future.

We reported an operating profit of $10.9 million and a net income from continuing operations of $6.8 million in the year ended December 31, 2017, an operating profit of $0.8 million and a loss from continuing operations of $5.3 million in the year ended December 31, 2016, an operating loss of $43.7 million and a loss from continuing operations of $52.1 million in the year ended December 31, 2015. We also incurred major losses in prior years and as of December 31, 2017 have an accumulated deficit of $703 million. We cannot assure you that we can operate profitably in the future. If we do not achieve profitable operations, our share price will decline and the viability of our company will be in question.

Our available cash balance may decrease in the future if we cannot generate cash from operations.

Our cash and cash equivalents as of December 31, 2017 were $53.0 million compared to $40.1 million as of December 31, 2016. Our positive cash flow from operating activities was approximately $20.8 million in the year ended December 31, 2017, compared to positive cash flow from operating activities of $10.8 million in the year ended December 31, 2016 and negative cash flow of $14.8 million in the year ended December 31, 2015. If we do not generate sufficient cash from operations in the future, including from our large-scale projects, our cash balance will decline and the unavailability of cash could have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results and financial condition.

The delivery of our large-scale projects requires us to invest significant funds in order to obtain bank guarantees and may require us to incur significant expenses before we receive full payment from our customers. This applies mainly to the FITEL Regional Projects awarded to us in 2015, through agreements signed with our subsidiary, Gilat Networks Peru S.A., or GNP, by the Peruvian government (through FITEL), which are expected to generate in the aggregate $393 million in revenues over approximately 13 years, following the extension of the original term of the agreements. We have used the advance payment received from FITEL as well as bank loans and internal cash resources in order to finance the FITEL Regional Projects. We have used surety bonds and our internal resources in order to provide the required bank guarantees for the FITEL Regional Projects. If we fail to obtain the necessary funding or if we fail to obtain such funds on favorable terms, we will not be able to meet our commitments and our cash flow and operational results may be adversely affected

If the satellite communications markets fail to grow, our business could be materially harmed.

A number of the markets for our products and services in the satellite communications area, including high throughput satellite and commercial on the move products, have emerged in recent years. Because these markets are constantly changing, it is difficult to predict the rate at which these markets will grow or decline. We also believe that there are many companies that are seeking ways to improve the ability of existing terrestrial infrastructure, such as fiber optic cable and point-to-point microwave, to transmit signals. Any significant improvement or increase in the amount of terrestrial capacity, particularly with respect to the existing fiber optic cable infrastructure and point-to-point microwave, may cause our fixed networks customers to shift their transmissions to terrestrial capacity or make it more difficult for us to obtain new customers. If fiber optic cable networks or other terrestrial-based high-capacity transmission systems are available to service a particular point, that capacity, when available, is generally less expensive than satellite capacity. As terrestrial-based telecommunications services expand, demand for some fixed satellite-based services may be reduced.

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 most of our revenues from sales of satellite based communications networks and related equipment and provision of services related to these networks and products A significant decline in this market or the replacement of VSAT and other satellite based technologies 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 or a decrease in the revenues generated from our large-scale projects could have a significant adverse impact on our operating results.

A significant portion of our revenues is derived from 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 or massive fiber-optic transport and access networks. The number of major bids for these large‑scale contracts for satellite-based networks and massive telecommunications infrastructure projects 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.

Many of our large-scale contracts are with governments or large governmental agencies in Latin America and any volatility 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 March and December 2015, the Peruvian government awarded us the Regional FITEL Projects under four separate bids for the construction of networks, operation of the networks for a defined period and their transfer to the government. These awards are expected to generate revenues of $393 million over a period of approximately 13 years. In December 2013, we were awarded a project by the Colombian Ministry of Information Technologies and Communications, or Ministry of ITC, through an agreement signed with our subsidiary, Gilat Colombia S.A. E.S.P., or Gilat Colombia, which is expected to generate revenues of 189 billion Colombian Pesos (approximately $63 million, based on the representative rate of exchange published as of December 31, 2017) over the project period, which was planned to conclude during the first quarter of 2018, and was recently extended for an additional period ending on the second quarter of 2018, in an amount of up to around 57 billion Colombian Pesos (approximately $19 million, based on the representative rate of exchange published as of December 31, 2017).

In December 2013, our subsidiary, Gilat to Home Peru, or GTH Peru, won a $30 million contract from FITEL for construction of a network, its operation over 11 years and other related services, which contract was expanded by $6 million. 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. Changes in the political or economic situation in these countries can result in the early termination of our business there. Any termination of our business in any of the aforementioned countries could have a significant adverse impact on our business. See Item 4.B. – “Information on the Company – Business Overview – Services Division – overview”.

Some of our large-scale customers are highly leveraged and if any of them encounters financial difficulties, this could have a significant adverse effect on our business and financial results.

Some of our current and potential customers, including large-scale customers who contribute significantly to our profitability, are highly leveraged. If a major customer encounters financial difficulty, our business and operating results may be adversely affected and we may find it difficult to collect outstanding receivables. As an example, in June 2016, our customer, Oi SA, filed for judicial reorganization in a bankruptcy petition in Brazil. Collection of any outstanding amounts due to us prior to the petition will be subject to implementation of the creditor arrangements which may result in our collecting only a fraction of the amount due us.

Our failure to deliver upon our large-scale projects in an economical manner or a delay in collection of payments due to us in connection with any such large-scale project could have a significant adverse impact on our operating results.

We have been awarded a number of large-scale projects by our customers, including foreign governments, such as the Peruvian FITEL Regional Projects in 2015. While we have experience in the successful implementation of large-scale network infrastructure projects in rural areas, the FITEL Regional Projects as well as other projects are complex and require cooperation of certain third parties. A failure to deliver upon our projects in an economical manner within the project’s budget could result in losses and significantly adversely impact our operating results. For example, during the fourth quarter of 2015, we recorded impairment of long lived assets of $10.1 million related to our Kioscos Digitales project initiated by the Colombian Ministry of Information Technologies and Communications due to expected future losses from this project. Additionally, the delivery of our large-scale projects requires us to invest significant funds in order to obtain bank guarantees and requires us to incur significant expenses before we receive full payment from our customers. As of December 31, 2017, we have approximately $57.4 million in “un-billed accounts receivable” related to the FITEL Regional Projects. Due to delays in the performance of these projects, we have entered into agreements with FITEL for the extension of the projects’ schedules, thus delaying revenues from the projects. Further, a failure to meet our projects’ schedule or fulfill our obligations in a timely manner could result in payment of fines and impact our ability to receive and recognize the expected revenues in part or in full in a timely manner, which could have a significant adverse impact on our operating results.

Actual results could differ from the estimates and assumptions that we use to prepare our financial statements.

In order to prepare our financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“U.S. GAAP”), our management is required to make estimates and assumptions, as of the date of the financial statements, which affect the reported values of assets and liabilities, revenues and expenses, and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities. Areas that require significant estimates by our management include contract costs and profits, application of percentage-of-completion accounting, provisions for uncollectible receivables and customer claims, impairment of long-term assets, goodwill impairment, valuation of assets acquired and liabilities assumed in connection with business combinations, accruals for estimated liabilities, including litigation and insurance reserves, and stock-based compensation. Our actual results could differ from, and could require adjustments to, those estimates.

In particular, we recognize revenues generated from the Regional FITEL Projects using the percentage-of-completion method. Under this method, estimated revenue is recognized by applying the percentage of completion of the contract for the period (based on the ratio of costs incurred to total estimated costs of the contract) to the total estimated revenue for the contract. As a result, revisions made to the estimates of revenues and profits are recorded in the period in which the conditions that require such revisions become known and can be estimated. Although we believe that our profit margins are fairly stated and that adequate provisions for losses for fixed-price contracts are recorded in the financial statements, as required under U.S. GAAP, we cannot assure you that our contract profit margins will not decrease or that any loss provisions will not increase materially in the future.

Tax authorities may disagree with our intercompany charges, cross-jurisdictional transfer pricing or other matters and assess additional taxes.

We are subject to income taxation in the United States, Israel and numerous other jurisdictions. Determining our provision for income taxes requires significant management judgment. In addition, our provision for income taxes could be adversely affected by many factors, including, among other things, changes to our operating structure, changes in the amounts of earnings in jurisdictions with different statutory tax rates, changes in the valuation of deferred tax assets and liabilities and changes in tax laws. We are subject to ongoing tax examinations in various jurisdictions. Tax authorities may disagree with our intercompany charges, cross-jurisdictional transfer pricing or other matters and assess additional taxes. While we regularly evaluate the likely outcomes of these examinations to determine the adequacy of our provision for income taxes, there can be no assurance that the outcomes of such examinations will not have a material impact on our results of operations and cash flows. In addition, we may be audited in various jurisdictions, and such jurisdictions may assess additional taxes against us. Although we believe our tax estimates are reasonable, the final determination of any tax audits or litigation could be materially different from our historical tax provisions and accruals, which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations or cash flows in the period or periods for which a determination is made.

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 our satellite capacity agreements, we do not have a backup for satellite capacity, and we do not have indemnification or insurance in the event that our supplier’s satellite malfunctions or data is lost. Satellites utilize highly complex technology and operate in the harsh environment of space and therefore are subject to significant operational risks while in orbit. The risks include in-orbit equipment failures, malfunctions and other kinds of problems commonly referred to as anomalies. Satellite anomalies include, for example, circuit failures, transponder failures, solar array failures, telemetry transmitter failures, battery cell and other power system failures, satellite control system failures and propulsion system failures. Liabilities in connection with our products, services, managed networks services or in connection with our construction and deployment projects or in connection with our premises may not be covered by insurance or may be covered only to a limited extent. Our third-party suppliers do not always have back to back insurance coverage to the same extent guaranteed by Gilat towards its customers. 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.

We operate in the highly competitive network communications industry and may be unsuccessful in competing effectively.

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 (acquired by EchoStar Corporation), or HNS, ViaSat Inc., or ViaSat, iDirect Technologies, or iDirect, and Newtec Cy N.V, or Newtec. Most of our competitors have developed or adopted different technology standards for their VSAT products.

Our low-profile in-motion ground, aero and maritime antennas target a competitive market with multiple players such as Honeywell, Astronics, Thinkom, Qest Quantum Electronic Systems GmbH, , Tecom Industries, Inc., or Tecom, and Thinkom Solutions or Thinkom. Competitors in the defense sector include General Dynamics Satcom Technologies, Thinkom, Orbit Communication Systems, Elbit Systems Ltd., and L-3 Communications Holdings, Inc., or L-3.

In addition, ViaSat and HNS have launched their own satellites, which enable them to offer vertically integrated solutions to their customers, which may further change the competitive environment in which we operate and could have an adverse effect on our business.

In Peru and Colombia, where we primarily operate public rural telecom services (voice, data and Internet) and are engaged in construction of fiber-optic transport and access networks based on wireless systems, 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 terrestrial technologies (typically, fiber-optic and wireless technologies). In addition, as competing technologies such as cellular telephones and fiber-optic in Peru and Colombia become available in rural areas where not previously available, our business could be adversely affected. We may not be able to compete successfully against current or future competitors. Such competition may adversely affect our future revenues and, consequently, our business, operating results and financial condition.

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 some cases, 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. As a result, it may be difficult for us to accurately forecast sales due to the uncertainty around these projects and their award and starting periods.

We may need to make acquisitions or form strategic alliances or partnerships in order to remain competitive in our market, and such acquisitions, strategic alliances or partnerships could be difficult to integrate, disrupt our business and dilute shareholder value.

We generally seek to acquire businesses that enhance our capabilities and add new technologies, products, services and customers to our existing businesses. We may not be able to continue to identify acquisition candidates on commercially reasonable terms or at all. If we make additional business acquisitions, we may not be able to successfully integrate the business acquired or we might not realize the benefits anticipated from these acquisitions, including sales growth, cost synergies and improving margins. Furthermore, we might not be able to obtain additional financing for business acquisitions, since such additional financing could be restricted or limited by the terms of our debt agreements or due to unfavorable capital market conditions.

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 2010, we completed the acquisition of RaySat Antenna Systems, or RAS, a leading provider of on-the-move antenna solutions, of RaySat BG, a Bulgarian research and development center, and of Wavestream, a provider of SSPAs and BUCs. If our projection for growth in the airborne business does not materialize and we fail to obtain other business in our Mobility Division, we would likely record an impairment of goodwill. In 2015, we performed an analysis of implied carrying value of our Wavestream subsidiary in accordance with ASC 350 and recorded goodwill impairment losses of approximately $20.4 million. In 2016 and 2017, no impairment losses were identified.

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 as consideration for acquisitions 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;

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 that 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; and

difficulties in implementing and maintaining uniform standards, controls and policies.

Any of these events would likely result in a material adverse effect on our results of operations, cash flows and financial position.

U.S. Government spending priorities and terms may change in a manner adverse to our businesses.

Our contracts with and sales to systems integrators in connection with government contracts in the U.S. are subject to the congressional budget authorization and appropriations process. Congress appropriates funds for a given program on a fiscal year basis, even though contract periods of performance may extend over many years. Consequently, at the beginning of a major program, the contract is partially funded, and additional monies are normally committed to the contract by the procuring agency only as appropriations are made by Congress in future fiscal years. Department of Defense, or DoD, budgets are a function of factors beyond our control, including, but not limited to, changes in U.S. procurement policies, budget considerations, current and future economic conditions, presidential administration priorities, changing national security and defense requirements, geopolitical developments and actual fiscal year congressional appropriations for defense budgets. Any of these factors could result in a significant decline in, or redirection of, current and future DoD budgets and impact our future results of operations.

Military spending by the U.S. Government has been negatively impacted by the Budget Control Act of 2011, with certain relief measures passed by Congress in 2015.

It is likely that discretionary spending by the U.S. government will remain constrained for a number of years. Additionally, if an annual appropriations bill is not enacted for the U.S. government’s 2018 fiscal year or beyond, the U.S. government may operate under a continuing resolution, abating and restricting new contract or program starts, and government slowdowns, or even shutdowns, could arise.

Since we generate significant revenues from clients that bid on contracts with U.S. government agencies, our operating results could be adversely affected by spending caps or changes in the budgetary priorities of the U.S. government, as well as by delays in bidding processes, program starts or the award of contracts or task orders under contracts.

Furthermore, in light of the current geopolitical situation, with reductions in U.S. operational presence in Iraq, Afghanistan and potentially in the Middle East, there may be additional declines in the U.S. government’s demand for and use of commercial satellite services in the future.

If we are unable to competitively operate within the network communications market and respond to new technologies, our business could be adversely affected.

The network communications market, which our products and services target, 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 endeavored to enhance 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. Competitors in satellite ground equipment market, low-profile antenna market high power transceivers 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 SSPA offerings and may reduce the market prices and success of our products. New communications networks that integrate satellites operating in low or medium earth orbits (LEO/MEO) may compete significantly with current networks and may reduce the market prices and success of our current products until such time as we adapt our technology to support LEO/MEO satellites. 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.

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

The average selling prices of 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.

If we are unable to competitively operate within the HTS GEO/MEO/LEO satellite environment, our business could be adversely affected.

Some of our competitors have launched Ka-band satellites. 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. Due to the current nature of the HTS solution where the initial investment in ground segment gateway equipment is relatively high, ground segment equipment effectively becomes tightly coupled to the specific satellite technology. As such, there may be circumstances where it is difficult for competitors to compete with the incumbent VSAT vendor using the particular HTS satellite. If this occurs, the market dynamics may change to favor a 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.

Although we have entered the HTS market with responsive HTS VSAT technology, we expect that our penetration into that market will be gradual and our success is not assured. In addition, our competitors, who are producing large numbers of HTS VSATs, may benefit from cost advantages. If we are unable to reduce our HTS VSAT costs sufficiently, we may not be competitive in the international market. We also expect that competition in this industry will continue to increase

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

A significant part of our business in previous years, including in 2017, was generated from recurring customers and, in particular, approximately 28% of our revenues in 2017 were generated from one customer, FITEL. Accordingly, 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 or not renewed 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 covenants or obligations in our contracts;

the cancellation of the underlying project by the sponsoring government body; or

change in the shareholders controlling our company.

If we are not able to retain our present customer base and gain new customers, our revenues will decline significantly. In addition, if our service businesses in Peru and Colombia do not win new government related contracts, this could materially adversely affect our financial position.

If we fail to expand our business in the IFC and cellular backhaul markets, our business in the U.S. may remain dependent on the defense market, a reduction of which could have a material adverse effect on our overall business.

A significant portion of our product revenues from the U.S. are dependent on business from the defense market, being derived directly or indirectly through contractors and system integrators from sales to government agencies, mainly the DoD, pursuant to contracts awarded 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. We experienced a reduction in revenues from the defense customers in recent years and there is no assurance that there will not be a further reduction in the future. Although we have recently signed contracts with Telcos and other customers in the In-flight Connectivity, or IFC, commercial and cellular backhaul markets, we may not be successful in our plans to expand our business in these markets. These markets are relatively new and are highly concentrated with a limited number of players and will require additional expenditures for research and development and sales and marketing. In addition, the cellular backhaul market with Telcos and the commercial IFC market may fail to grow in accordance with our expectations.

We may also 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 effect on our business and operating results.

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 some of our satellite communication products, related technical information and services is subject to U.S. State Department, Commerce Department and Treasury Department regulations, including International Traffic in Arms Regulations, or ITAR, and Export Administration Regulations, or EAR. Under the ITAR, our non-U.S. employees, including employees of our headquarters in Israel, are barred from accessing certain information of our U.S. subsidiaries unless appropriate licenses are obtained. In addition to the U.S. export control laws and regulations applicable to us, some of our subcontractors and vendors may also be subject to U.S. export control laws and regulations and required to flow down requirements and restrictions imposed on products and services we purchase from them. If we do not maintain our existing authorizations or obtain necessary future authorizations under the export control laws and regulations of the U.S., including potential requirements related to entering into technical assistance agreements to disclose technical data or provide services to non-U.S. 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. We may also be subjected to export control compliance audits in the future that may uncover improper or illegal activities that would subject us to material remediation costs, civil and criminal fines, penalties or an injunction.

In addition, to participate in classified U.S. government programs, we may have to obtain security clearances from the DoD for one or more of our subsidiaries that want to participate. Such clearance may require us to enter into a proxy agreement or another similar arrangement with the U.S. government, which would limit our ability to control the operations of the subsidiary and which may impose substantial administrative requirements in order for us to comply. Further, if we materially violate the terms of any proxy agreement, the subsidiary holding the security clearance 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 and national security laws and regulations, we may not be able to realize our market focus and our business could be materially adversely affected.

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.

We have focused on expanding our business to include contracts with or for various governments and governmental agencies around the world, including the Peruvian Government (through FITEL) and U.S. federal, state, and local government agencies through contractors or systems integrators. Such contracts account for a significant portion of our revenues. Our contracts with international governments generally contain unfavorable termination provisions. Governmental customers generally may unilaterally suspend us from receiving new contracts pending resolution of alleged violations of procurement laws or regulations and terminate existing contracts and audit our contract-related costs. If a termination right is exercised by a governmental customer, it could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

Additionally, the business we generate 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 program 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 conditions of remuneration; or

there is a change in the 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 as well as the condition of our other facilities.

A material portion of our laboratory capacity, our principal offices and principal research and development facilities for the principal part of our business are concentrated in a single location in Israel. We also have significant facilities for research and development and manufacturing of components for our low profile antennas at a single location in Bulgaria as well as a research and development center in Moldova and offices, research and development, engineering and manufacturing facilities in California and in Singapore. Fire, natural disaster or any other cause of material disruption in our operations in any of these locations could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and operating results.

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, or transponder 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 products are manufactured by a limited number of suppliers. Although we have managed to solve the difficulties we had with our suppliers with respect to availability of components, we cannot assure you of the continued 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 2016, we entered into a new outsourcing manufacturing agreement with a single source manufacturer for almost all of our VSAT 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 production requirements and may expose us to material price increases which may affect our ability to provide competitive prices. We estimate that the replacement of this manufacturer would, if necessary, take a period of between six to nine months.

There are a limited number of suppliers of satellite transponder capacity and a limited amount of space segment available (although the space segment availability and number of suppliers is increasing). We are dependent on these suppliers for our provision of services in Peru, Colombia and North America. 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. We rely on satellite capacity providers, who commit to certain key performance indicators, or KPIs, in connection with the operation of our managed networks and services. Such KPIs are limited and do not always reflect the same level of KPIs guaranteed by us towards our customers.

We would be adversely affected if we are unable to attract and retain key personnel

Our success depends in part on key management, sales, marketing and development personnel and our continuing ability to attract and retain highly qualified personnel, including with respect to our acquired companies. There is competition for the services of such personnel. The loss of the services of senior management and 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 or our former employees may compete with us. In 2015, several members of our management were replaced including, our Chief Financial Officer and our Chief Executive Officer, who was replaced by our Chairman on an interim CEO capacity and then by a new Chief Executive Officer who was appointed in 2016. There is no assurance that former employees will not compete with us or that we will be able to find replacements for departing key employees in the future.

If demand for our mobility applications for air, land and sea, VSATs and other products declines or if we are unable to develop products to meet demand, our business could be adversely affected.

Our low-profile in-motion antenna systems and a portion of our SSPA product line are intended for mobility applications for air, land and sea. If the demand for such products, our VSATs or other products declines, or if we are unable to develop products that are competitive in technology and pricing, we may not be able to realize our market focus and our Satellite Communication on the Move business and other businesses could be materially adversely affected.

We may be unable to adequately protect our proprietary rights, which may limit our ability to compete effectively.

Our business is based mainly on our proprietary 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 and SSPAs technology and other products may be insufficient to protect our intellectual property rights and 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 U.S., or we may have failed to enter into non-disclosure and intellectual property assignment agreements with certain persons, or the agreements we entered into may be found inadequate. If we are unable to protect our intellectual property, our ability to operate our business and generate expected revenues may be harmed.

Failure to protect against cyber -attacks, natural disasters or terrorist attacks, and failures of our information technology systems, infrastructure and data could have an adverse effect on our business.

Failure to protect against cyber -attacks, unauthorized access or network security breaches, inclement weather, natural or man-made disasters, earthquakes, explosions, terrorist attacks, acts of war, floods, fires, computer viruses, power loss, telecommunications or equipment failures, transportation interruptions, accidents or other disruptive events or attempts to harm our systems may cause equipment failures or disrupt our systems and operations. In particular, both unsuccessful and successful cyber-attacks on companies have increased in frequency, scope and potential harm in recent years. Criminal hackers may develop and deploy viruses, worms and other malicious software programs, some of which may be specifically designed to attack our products, systems, computers or networks. Additionally, external parties may induce our employees or users of our products to disclose sensitive information in order to gain access to our data or our customers' data. We have been subject, and will likely continue to be subject, to attempts to breach the security of our networks and Information Technology, or IT, infrastructure through cyber-attack, malware, computer viruses and other means of unauthorized access. While none of these actual or attempted breaches has had a material impact on our operations or financial condition, we cannot provide any assurance that our business operations will not be negatively materially affected by such breaches in the future.

Any disruption, disabling, or attack affecting our equipment and systems and the hardware, software and infrastructure on which we rely could result in a security or privacy breach. Whether such event is physical human error or malfeasance (whether accidental, fraudulent or intentional) or electronic in nature (such as malware, virus, or other malicious code) such an event could result in our inability to operate our facilities or continually operate our networks, which, even if the event is for a limited period of time, may result in significant expenses and/or loss of market share to other competitors in the market for tele-management products and invoice management solutions. While we maintain insurance coverage for some of these events, which could offset some of the losses, the potential liabilities associated with these events could exceed the insurance coverage we maintain. Any of the events described above could result in litigation and potential liability or fines for us, a material impact to our operations or financial condition, damage our brand and reputation or otherwise harm our business

Regulators globally are also imposing greater monetary fines for privacy violations. For example, in 2016, the European Union adopted a new law governing data practices and privacy called the General Data Protection Regulation, or GDPR, which becomes effective in May 2018. The law establishes new requirements regarding the handling of personal data, and non-compliance with the GDPR may result in monetary penalties of up to 4% of worldwide revenue. The GDPR and other changes in laws or regulations associated with the enhanced protection of certain types of sensitive data, such as healthcare data or other personal information, could greatly increase our cost of providing our products and services or even prevent us from offering certain services in jurisdictions that we operate.

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;

price reductions by our direct competitors and by competing technologies including, for example, the introduction of HTS 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 instability 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.

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, Asia Pacific, Africa and Europe. A component of our strategy is to continue and expand in 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;

the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, or the FCPA, and applicable anti-corruption laws in other jurisdictions, which include anti-bribery provisions. Our policies mandate compliance with these laws. Nevertheless, we may not always be protected in cases of violation of the FCPA or other applicable anti-corruption laws by our employees or third-parties acting on our behalf. A violation of anti-corruption laws by our employees or third-parties during the performance of their obligations for us may have a material adverse effect on our reputation, operating results and financial condition;

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 could have an adverse effect on the gross margin of some of our projects. This includes 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 requirement 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

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.

If we fail to meet the covenants in our loan agreements with banks, or otherwise breach the terms of our credit agreements, the banks may accelerate payment of outstanding loans and our business could be seriously harmed.

Our loan agreements and credit and guarantee facilities with banks contain covenants regarding our maintenance of certain financial ratios. The covenants contained in our credit facilities restrict, among other things, our ability to pledge our assets, dispose of assets, or give guarantees. Our ability to continue to comply with these and other obligations depends in part on the future performance of our business. We cannot assure you that we shall be able to continue to comply with the covenants included in our agreements with the banks. If we fail to comply, we shall be required to renegotiate the terms of our credit facilities with the banks. We cannot assure you that we shall be able to reach an agreement with the banks or that such agreements will be on favorable terms to us. Our ability to restructure or refinance our credit facilities depends on the condition of the capital markets and our financial condition. Any refinancing of our existing credit facilities could be at higher interest rates and may require us to comply with different covenants, which could restrict our business operations.

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

Certain of our telecommunication operations require licenses and approvals by the Israeli Ministry of Communication, the Federal Communications Commission, or FCC, in the U.S. and by regulatory bodies in other countries. In Israel and the U.S., the operation of satellite earth station facilities and VSAT systems such as ours are prohibited except under licenses issued by the Israeli Ministry of Communication and the FCC in the U.S. Our airborne products require licenses and approvals by the Federal Aviation Agency, or FAA, which are obtained by our customers or our Wavestream subsidiary. 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 licenses and 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 licenses and approvals, the regulating agencies may, at any time, impose additional requirements on our operations. Failure to obtain the required license where such license is required may result in high monetary and other penalties. 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 requirements to obtain certification of compliance with local regulatory standards. Delays in receiving such certification could adversely affect our operations.

Currency exchange rates and fluctuations of currency exchange rates may adversely affect our results of operations, liabilities, and assets.

Since we operate in several countries, we are impacted by currency exchange rates and fluctuations of various currencies. Although partially mitigated by our hedging activities, we are impacted by currency exchange rates and fluctuations thereof in a number of ways, including the following:

A significant portion of our expenses, principally salaries and related personnel expenses, are incurred in NIS, and to a lesser extent, other non-U.S. dollar currencies, whereas the currency we use to report our financial results is the U.S. dollar and a significant portion of our revenue is generated in U.S. dollars. A significant strengthening of the NIS against the U.S. dollar can considerably increase the U.S. dollar value of our expenses in Israel and our results of operations may be adversely affected;

A portion of our international sales is denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar, including but not limited to the Euro, Colombian Peso, Australian Dollar, Brazilian Real, Peruvian Sol, Russian Ruble, Malaysian Ringgit and the Mexican Peso, therefore we are exposed to the risk of devaluation of such currencies relative to the dollar which could have a negative impact on our revenues;

We have assets and liabilities that are denominated in non-U.S. dollar currencies. Therefore, significant fluctuation in these other currencies could have significant effect on our results; and

A portion of our U.S. dollar revenues are derived from customers operating in local currencies which are different from the U.S. dollar. Therefore, devaluation in the local currencies of our customers relative to the U.S. dollar could cause our customers to cancel or decrease orders or delay payment.

We are also subject to other foreign currency risks including repatriation restrictions in certain countries, particularly in Latin America. As noted above, from time to time, we enter into hedging transactions to attempt to limit the impact of foreign currency fluctuations. However, the protection provided by such hedging transactions may be partial and leave certain exchange rate-related losses and risks uncovered. Therefore, our business and profitability may be harmed by such exchange rate fluctuations.

The transfer and use of some of our technology and its production outside of Israel 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 products have been partially financed through grants from the Innovation Authority (formerly the Office of the Chief Scientist) of the Israeli Ministry of Economy. We are subject to certain restrictions under the terms of these grants. Specifically, manufacturing outside Israel, of any product incorporating technology developed with the funding provided by these grants is limited to a certain extent as set forth in the relevant program. In addition, the technology developed with the funding provided by these grants (which is embodied in our products) may not be transferred, without appropriate governmental approvals. Such approvals, if granted, may involve increased royalty payments to the Innovation Authority for royalty-bearing programs. These restrictions do not apply to the sale or export from Israel of our products developed with this technology.

We may not be compliant, currently or in the future, with the requirements for Approved Enterprise and Benefited Enterprise status and may be denied benefits. Israeli government programs and tax benefits may be terminated or reduced in the future.

We participate in programs of the Israeli Innovation Authority and the Israel Investment Center, for which we receive tax and other benefits as well as funding for the development of technologies and products. Our company chose 2005 and 2011 as the years of election in order to receive tax benefits as a “Benefited Enterprise”. Our period of benefits as a Benefitted Enterprise under the 2005 election expired on December 31, 2017. Our period of benefits as a Benefitted Enterprise under the 2011 election will expire in 2023. If we fail to comply with the conditions applicable to this status under the Investment Law, we may be required to pay additional taxes and penalties or make refunds and may be denied future benefits. From time to time, the government of Israel has discussed reducing or eliminating the benefits available under such programs, and therefore these benefits may not be available in the future at current levels or at all.

We may be subject to claims by third parties alleging that we infringe intellectual property owned by them. 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 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 or that damages for any such claim will not be awarded against us by a court.

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 of any litigation could force us to pay substantial damages, stop designing, manufacturing, using or selling related products, spend significant resources to develop alternative technologies, discontinue using certain processes or obtain licenses. In addition, we may not be able to develop alternative 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.

We are required to comply with “conflict minerals” rules promulgated by the SEC, which impose costs on us, may make our supply chain more complex, and could adversely impact our business.

We are subject to the requirements under the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010, or the Dodd-Frank Act, that will require us to perform due diligence, disclose and report whether our products contain conflict minerals. The Trump administration has indicated that the Dodd-Frank Act will be under further scrutiny and some of the provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act may be revised, repealed or amended. In April 2017, the SEC announced that it was suspending enforcement of portions of the conflict minerals regulations enacted under the Dodd-Frank Act following a ruling by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. The implementation of these requirements and any changes effected by the Trump administration could adversely affect the sourcing, availability and pricing of the materials used in the manufacture of components used in our products. In addition, we will likely incur additional costs to comply with the disclosure requirements, including costs related to conducting diligence procedures to determine the sources of conflict minerals that may be used in or necessary to the production of our products and, if applicable, potential changes to our products, processes or sources of supply as a consequence of such verification activities. It is also possible that we may face reputational harm if we determine that certain of our products contain minerals not determined to be conflict-free or if we are unable to alter our products, processes or sources of supply to avoid use of such materials. Furthermore, we may encounter challenges in satisfying those customers that require that all of the components of our products be certified as conflict free, and if we cannot satisfy these customers, they may choose a competitor’s products.

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, among others, claims for exposure to electromagnetic radiation from the antennas we provide. We endeavor to include in our agreements with our business customers provisions designed to limit our exposure to potential claims. We also maintain a product liability insurance policy. However, our contractual limitation of liability may be rejected or limited in certain jurisdictions and our insurance may not cover all relevant claims or may not provide sufficient coverage. To date, we have not been subject to 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.

Environmental laws and regulations may subject us to significant liability.

Our operations are subject to various Israeli, U.S. federal, state and local as well as certain other foreign environmental laws and regulations within the countries in which we operate relating to the discharge, storage, treatment, handling, disposal and remediation of certain materials, substances and wastes used in our operations.

New laws and regulations, stricter enforcement of existing laws and regulations, the discovery of previously unknown contamination or the imposition of new clean-up requirements may require us to incur a significant amount of additional costs in the future and could decrease the amount of cash flow available to us for other purposes, including capital expenditures, research and development and other investments and could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and future prospects. We may identify deficiencies in our compliance with local legislation within countries in which we operate. Failure to comply with such legislation could result in sanctions by regulatory authorities and could adversely affect our operating results. Examples of these laws and regulations include the E.U. Restriction on the Use of Certain Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive, and the E.U. Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive.

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.

Our operating results may vary significantly from quarter to quarter and from year to year and these quarterly and yearly 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 requests for proposals or 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;

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 has been highly volatile and at times thinly traded. Investors may not be able to resell their shares during and following periods of volatility.

We may in the future be classified as a passive foreign investment company, or PFIC, which would subject our U.S. investors to adverse tax rules.

U.S. holders of our ordinary shares may face income tax risks. There is a risk that we will be treated as a “passive foreign investment company” or PFIC. Our treatment as a PFIC 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 PFIC 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 a trade or business. For purposes of these tests, income derived from the performance of services does not constitute “passive income”. If we are treated as a PFIC, U.S. Holders of shares (or rights) would be subject to a special adverse U.S. federal income tax regime with respect to the income derived by us, the distributions they receive from us, and the gain, if any, they derive from the sale or other disposition of their ordinary shares (or rights). In particular, any dividends paid by us, if any, would not be treated as “qualified dividend income” eligible for preferential tax rates in the hands of non-corporate U.S. shareholders. We believe that we were not a PFIC for the 2017 taxable year. However, since PFIC status depends upon the composition of our income and the market value of our assets from time to time, there can be no assurance that we will not become a PFIC in any future taxable year. U.S. Holders 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 (or rights).

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 a substantial dilution.

We cannot predict what effect, if any, future sales of our ordinary shares by the private equity firm, FIMI Opportunity Funds, or FIMI Funds and our other significant shareholders, or the availability for future sale of our ordinary shares, including shares issuable upon the exercise of our options, will have on the market price of our ordinary shares. Sales of substantial amounts of our ordinary shares in the public market by our company or our significant 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.

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, and 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 is also limited by Israeli law, which permits the distribution of dividends by an Israeli corporation only out of its retained earnings as defined in Israel’s Companies Law, 5759-1999, or the Companies Law, provided that there is no reasonable concern that such payment will cause us to fail to meet our current and expected liabilities as they become due, or otherwise with the court’s permission. You should not invest 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 TASE. Trading in our ordinary shares on these markets is made in different currencies (U.S. dollars on the NASDAQ Global Select Market, and NIS on the TASE), and at different times (resulting from different time zones, different trading days and different public holidays in the U.S. 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.

If we are unable to maintain effective internal control over financial reporting in accordance with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, the reliability of our financial statements may be questioned and our share price may suffer.

The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 imposes certain duties on us and on our executives and directors. To comply with this statute, we are required to document and test our internal control over financial reporting, and our independent registered public accounting firm must issue an attestation report on our internal control procedures, and our management is required to assess and issue a report concerning our internal control over financial reporting. Our efforts to comply with these requirements have resulted in increased general and administrative expenses and a diversion of management time and attention, and we expect these efforts to require the continued commitment of significant resources. We may identify material weaknesses or significant deficiencies in our assessments of our internal controls over financial reporting. Failure to maintain effective internal control over financial reporting could result in investigation or sanctions by regulatory authorities, and could adversely affect our operating results, investor confidence in our reported financial information and the market price of our ordinary shares.

Certain of our shareholders beneficially own a substantial percentage of our ordinary shares.

FIMI, our controlling shareholder, holds approximately 34.4% of our outstanding ordinary shares. This concentration of ownership of our ordinary shares could delay or prevent mergers, tender offers, or other purchases of our ordinary shares that might otherwise give our shareholders the opportunity to realize a premium over the then-prevailing market price for our ordinary shares. This concentration could also accelerate these same transactions in lieu of others depriving shareholders of opportunities. This concentration of ownership may also cause a decrease in the volume of trading or otherwise adversely affect our share price.

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 condition, harm our results of operations and adversely affect our share price.

We are incorporated under the laws of the State of Israel, where we also maintain our headquarters and most of our manufacturing and research and development facilities. As a result, political, economic and military conditions affecting Israel directly influence us. Any major hostilities involving Israel, a full or partial mobilization of the reserve forces of the Israeli army, the interruption or curtailment of trade or air traffic between Israel and its trading partners, or a significant downturn in the economic or financial condition of Israel could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Conflicts in North Africa and the Middle East, including in Egypt and Syria which countries border Israel, have resulted in continued political uncertainty and violence in the region. Efforts to improve Israel’s relationship with the Palestinian Authority have failed to result in a permanent solution, and there have been numerous periods of hostility in recent years. In addition, relations between Israel and Iran continue to be seriously strained, especially with regard to Iran’s nuclear program. Such instability may affect the economy, could negatively affect business conditions and, therefore, could adversely affect our operations. To date, these matters have not had any material effect on our business and results of operations; however, the regional security situation and worldwide perceptions of it are outside our control and there can be no assurance that these matters will not negatively affect our business, financial condition and results of operations in the future

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.

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. 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 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.

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 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 SEC 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.

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.

Our export of military products and related technical information is also subject to enhanced Israeli Ministry of Defense regulations regarding 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). Some of our products may include features, such as encryption, that require an export license. Some of our products are exempted from Israeli Ministry of Defense export control. The Israeli Ministry of Defense may change the classification of our existing commercial products or may determine that new products we develop are not exempt from Israeli Ministry of Defense export control. This would place such products subject to the Israeli Ministry of Defense export control regulations as military products or “dual use” items, which would impose on our sales process stringent constraints in relation to each sale transaction and limit our markets. If we do not maintain our existing authorizations and exemption or obtain necessary future authorizations and exemptions under the export control laws and regulations of Israel, including export licenses for the sale of our equipment and the transfer of technical information, we may be unable to export technical information or equipment outside of Israel, we may not be able to realize our market focus and our business could be materially adversely affected.

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

A significant number 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 a significant absence 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.

You may not be able to enforce civil liabilities in the U.S. against our officers and directors.

We are incorporated in Israel. All of our directors and executive officers reside outside the U.S., and a significant portion of our assets and the personal assets of most of our directors and executive officers are located outside the U.S. Therefore, it may be difficult to effect service of process upon any of these persons within the U.S. In addition, a judgment obtained in the U.S. against us, or against such individuals, including but not limited to judgments based on the civil liability provisions of the U.S. federal securities laws, may not be collectible within the U.S.

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, U.S. law and the laws of other jurisdictions, 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 our employees in certain regions. The provisions of such clauses prohibit our employees, if they cease working for us, from directly competing with us or working for our competitors for a certain period of time. 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 of our former employee obtained from us, if we cannot demonstrate to the court that our interests as defined by case law would be harmed. Non-competition clauses may be unenforceable or enforceable only to a limited extent in other jurisdictions as well.

ITEM 4: INFORMATION ON THE COMPANY

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 Israel’s Companies Law 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 are located at Gilat House, 21 Yegia Kapayim Street, Kiryat Arye, Petah Tikva 4913020, Israel. Our telephone number is (972) 3-925-2000. Our address in the U.S. is c/o Wavestream Corporation at 545 West Terrace Drive, San Dimas, California 91773. 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 satellite-based broadband communications. We design and manufacture ground segment equipment and provide comprehensive solutions and end-to-end services, powered by our innovative technology. Our portfolio comprises a cloud based satellite network platform, VSAT terminals, amplifiers, high-speed modems, high performance on-the-move antennas, high efficiency, high power SSPA amplifiers and BUCs. Our comprehensive solutions support multiple applications with a full portfolio of products to address key applications including broadband access, cellular backhaul, enterprise, in-flight connectivity, maritime, trains, defense and public safety, all while meeting stringent service level requirements. We also provide connectivity services, Internet access and telephony to enterprise, government and residential customers over networks built using our own equipment and also over other networks that we install, mainly on the basis of BOT contracts. In these BOT projects we build telecommunication infrastructure typically using fiber-optic and wireless technologies for broadband connectivity.

Our products are primarily sold to communication service providers and operators that use satellite communications for their customers and to government organizations and system integrators that use our technology. We are particularly active in the following market sectors: enterprise and government broadband applications; consumer broadband access; cellular connectivity; national telecommunication connectivity; defense and homeland security organization and mobility applications for air, land and sea. We provide services directly to end-users in various market sectors including in certain countries in Latin America and provide managed network services, such as in Australia and the US, over a satellite network owned by a third party. We have 20 sales and support offices worldwide, three network operations centers and five R&D centers.

We shipped our first generation VSAT in 1989 and since then we have been among the technological leaders in the satellite ground equipment industry. Our continuous investment in research and development has resulted in the development of new and industry‑leading products and our intellectual property portfolio includes 70 issued patents (58 U.S. and 12 foreign) relating to our VSAT and other systems as well as 18 issued patents (16 U.S. and 2 foreign) relating to our Satellite Communication on the Move antenna solutions and 13 issued patents (3 U.S. and 10 foreign) for our high power SSPAs.

In December 2013, we sold our Spacenet subsidiary, a provider of managed network communications services utilizing satellite wireline and wireless networks and associated technology.

In 2017, 2016 and 2015, our property and equipment purchases related to our continuing operations amounted to approximately $3.7 million, $4.3 million and $3.9 million, respectively. These amounts do not include the reclassification of inventory to property and equipment and other non-cash purchases made during 2017, 2016 and 2015 in the approximate amounts of $5.7 million, $2.5 million and $2.5 million, respectively.

B.	Business Overview

We are a leading provider of satellite ground segment and other network communications solutions and services. We design and manufacture satellite ground segment and networking communications equipment, which we sell to our customers either as network components (modems, BUCs, antennas) or as complete network solutions (which include hubs and related terminals and services) or turnkey projects. The equipment that we develop includes commercial VSAT systems, defense and homeland security satellite communications systems, SSPAs, BUCs, low-profile antennas, on-the-Move / on-the-Pause terminals and modems. Our equipment is used by satellite operators, service providers, telecommunications operators, system integrators, government and defense organizations, large corporations and enterprises. We sell and distribute our products and provide our services internationally, in Latin America, Asia, Asia Pacific, North America, Africa and Europe. In particular, we provide connectivity services, Internet access and telephony, to enterprise, government and residential customers over our own networks, built using both our equipment and equipment purchased from other manufacturers in various technologies. We also provide NOC operations and hub services, such as in Australia, over a VSAT network owned by SingTel Optus Pty Limited, or Optus, a large Australian telecommunication company.

From 2012 through 2017, we operated in three business divisions: Commercial, Mobility and the Services Division.

• Commercial Division – provides advanced satellite networks, fixed satellite communication systems, small cell solutions and associated professional services and comprehensive turnkey solutions and fully managed satellite services solutions. Our customers are service providers, satellite operators, MNOs, Telcos, and large enterprises worldwide. We focus on HTS opportunities worldwide and are driving meaningful partnerships with satellite operators to leverage our technology and breadth of services to deploy and operate the ground segment.

• Mobility Division – provides advanced, satellite communication on the move systems, including airborne, maritime and ground-mobile satellite systems and solutions. Our customers are, service providers, system integrators, defense and homeland security organizations, as well as to other commercial entities worldwide. The division provides solutions on land, sea and air, while placing major focus on the high-growth IFC market, with its unique leading technology. The division’s portfolio comprises high-speed modems, high performance on-the-move antennas and high efficiency, high power SSPAs and BUCs.

Terrestrial Infrastructure Projects includes our construction of the FITEL fiber and microwave network in Peru, which is currently part of the Services division.

The above changes in our reportable segments will have no effect on the goodwill assignment among the divisions.

In the year ended December 31, 2017, we derived approximately 30%, 31% and 39% of our revenues from our Commercial Division, Mobility Division and Services Division, respectively.

We have diversified revenue streams that result from both sales of products, which include construction of networks, and services. In the year ended December 31, 2017, approximately 76% of our revenues were derived from sales of products and 24% from services. During the same period, we derived 47%, 26%, 15% and 12% of our revenues from Latin America, North America, EMEA and APAC, respectively.

Industry Overview

There is a global demand for satellite-based communications solutions for a number of reasons. Primarily, satellite-based communications 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 two-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 data communications and Radio Frequency, or RF elements designed to deliver data via communication satellites. Examples of ground station equipment are remote site terminals, such as VSATs, central hub station systems, modem, amplifiers, BUCs and antennas.

Modem – This is the device that modulates the digital data into an analog RF signal for delivery to the upconverter, and demodulates the analog signals from the downconverter back into digital data. The modem, which is typically located indoors, performs data processing functions such as traffic management and prioritization and provides the digital interfaces (Ethernet port/s) for connecting to the user’s equipment (PC, switch, etc.).

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.

Antenna – Antennas 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 remote sites 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 platforms need to be compact and have a mechanically or electronically auto-pointing mechanism so that they can remain locked onto the satellite during motion.

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 (a portion of the satellite’s bandwidth and power which is used to establish one or more communication channels) 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. 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, Chinasat, Hispasat and Eutelsat.

Ground equipment providers manufacture network equipment for both satellite communications networks and broadcast markets. Satellite communications systems connect a large central earth station, called a hub, with multiple remote sites equipment, called VSATs (ranging from tens to thousands of sites), which communicate via satellite. We are a leading ground equipment provider for hubs VSATs, high-power amplifiers and low-profile antennas for satellite communications on-the-move.

Communication service providers buy equipment from ground equipment providers, install and maintain such equipment, lease capacity from satellite operators and sell a full package of communication services to the end user.

End users are customers that use satellite communications equipment and services. Examples of end users range from enterprises, to government ministries and defense organizations, 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 often work with specialized system integrators that integrate various components, such as power amplifiers and low profile antennas, into a satellite terminal.

Satellite broadband networks are typically systems deployed in a hub-and-spoke configuration, with remote locations connecting via satellite to a central hub station. Satellite communications networks have a diverse range of uses and applications, and provide communication services as a stand‑alone, alternative, or complementary service to terrestrial networks.

We believe that the advantages of satellite communications networks include:

Universal availability – Satellite communications provide service to any location within a satellite footprint.

Timely implementation – Large satellite communications networks with thousands of remote sites can be deployed within a few weeks.

Broadcast and multicast capabilities – Satellite is an optimal 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 – Satellite communications 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 – Satellite communications networks scale easily from a single site to thousands of locations.

Cost-effectiveness – The cost of satellite communications networks is independent of distance and therefore it is a cost-effective solution for networks comprised of multiple sites in remote locations.

Applications delivery – Satellite communications networks offer a wide variety of customer applications such as e‑mail, virtual private networks, video, voice, Internet access, distance learning, cellular backhaul and financial transactions.

Portability and Mobility – Satellite communications solutions can be mounted on moving platforms 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 satellite communications networks, we believe that the market for satellite communications products and services will continue to grow. In particular, according to a 2017 report from NSR, a leading international telecom market research and consulting firm, the number of unit shipments to broadband satellite sites, platforms and subscribers is expected to grow at a compounded annual growth rate, or CAGR, of 21% through 2026.

Further, according to a 2017 report of EuroConsult, a leading global consulting firm specializing in space markets, aggregated satellite capacity has grown significantly in recent years and is forecasted to grow further in the coming years. According to the report, the growing availability of satellite capacity has resulted in significant reduction in the cost of satellite capacity.

In addition, satellite communications is an effective solution for mobility, especially for maritime and for international flight.

New communications networks that integrate satellites operating in low or medium earth orbits (LEO/MEO) are scheduled to be launched in the coming years and are forecasted to account for a significant portion of the aggregated satellite capacity and of the equipment unit shipments to broadband satellite sites, platforms and subscribers.

The availability of auto-pointing satellite antennas designed for in-motion two way communications has created market demand from both commercial and government/defense segments. These antennas are usually mounted on a moving platform (airplane, boat, train, unmanned aerial vehicles, or UAVs) and connected to a satellite terminal within or on the platform. An important requirement for these applications is that they have light-weight and low-profile antennas, to minimize air drag and fuel consumption. We believe that the demand for light-weight, low-profile antenna systems will increase as well.

Another important requirement emerging is for next generation solid-state power amplifiers able to provide high output power, greater efficiency and field-proven reliability in smaller, lighter weight product packages suitable for fixed, mobile, and airborne antenna systems. These amplifiers, designed and thoroughly tested for use in extreme environments, help provide uninterrupted connectivity to support mission-critical defense operations, as well as demanding inflight connectivity and consumer broadband applications.

There are six primary market categories that require broadband satellite products and services:

Enterprise and Business. End-users include large companies and organizations, Small- Medium Enterprises, or SMEs, and Small Office / Home Office (SOHO) users. For enterprises, satellite communications networks offer network connectivity and deliver voice, data and video within corporations (known as corporate intranets), Internet access, transaction‑based connectivity that enables on‑line data delivery such as point‑of‑sale (credit and debit card authorization), inventory control and real time stock exchange trading.

Cellular Backhaul. Cellular networks comprised of backhaul connections to connect the cellular base stations that serve multiple customers. Cellular backhaul connectivity requires more demanding network performance. These requirements usually include a high level of quality of service, or QoS, high speed connectivity, and more control over the network. Satellite backhaul applications include both primary and backup connectivity.

Rural Telecommunications. The rural telecommunications market is comprised of communities throughout the world that require telephone, and Internet access in areas that are unserved or 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. 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.

Government. The government sector consists of homeland security and military users. The versatility, reliability, and resiliency of satellite broadband networks, the in-motion low profile antennas and the lightweight SSPAs are a perfect fit for security and armed forces. For example, low power lightweight satellite communications systems 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.

Mobility. The mobility market is comprised of on the move platforms, on land at sea and in the air, such as aircraft, ships, trains and vehicles, that require broadband connectivity. Satellite-based solutions for these platforms include ground network platform, modems, on-the-move antennas and transceivers.

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 1. 5 million satellite terminals (VSATs), over 10,000 low profile antennas and over 30,000 BUCs and SSPAs to customers in approximately 90 countries. Our customer base includes a large number of satellite‑based communications service providers, system integrators and operators worldwide. In addition, we are one of the largest satellite communications service providers to rural communities in Latin America.

Technology leadership. We have been at the forefront of satellite communications technology and services for 30 years and continue to be an innovator and developer of new satellite technologies. Our customizable satellite communications technology enables us to provide a wide range of broadband, Internet, voice, data and video solutions to our customers. We offer hubs and optimized satellite terminals (VSATs) which can attain a rate of up to 400Mbps. 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-c, state-of-the-art solution, provides high performance and space segment efficiency. Our legacy product lines are known for their durability and resilience. We provide advanced on-the- move terminals, including all components such as antennas, BUCs and modems. Our low-profile, satellite communications on-the-move solutions antennas provide reliable broadband communications for commercial and defense applications. Our SSPAs provide good performance, even at the extreme end of temperature and environmental performance specifications. X-Architecture, our new cloud-based distributed architecture, and our Electronically-Steered Array / Phased Array Antenna (ESA/PAA) are our two most recent innovations that, we believe, have positioned us as a leader in providing satellite communications technology. Our research, development and engineering team, comprised of 251 persons, enable 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 and maintain our position in the market.

Global presence and local support. We have sold our products in approximately 90 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 20 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. Our business divisions 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 - satellite communications network equipment, small cell solutions, power amplifiers, low-profile satellite communications on-the-move terminals, 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 flexible. Our business model enables us to be attuned to our customers’ needs and to adapt to changing market trends. Our satellite communications -based networks sometimes serve as platforms for the delivery of complete systems, providing versatile solutions for enterprises, government agencies, SMEs, rural communities, SOHOs and consumers.

Diversified revenue streams and customer base. In the year ended December 31, 2017, approximately 76% of our revenues were generated from equipment sales and 24% of our revenues were generated from services. Our equipment sales are generally independent equipment orders which often generate maintenance contracts and additional opportunities for future equipment sales and also include the revenues from the construction phase of large-scale projects. Our service sales are characterized by long-term contracts that provide a recurring revenue base. In the year ended December 31, 2017, our three business divisions, Commercial, Mobility and Services, accounted for 30%, 31% and 39% of our revenues, respectively.

Delivery Capabilities. Over the years we have demonstrated our ability to deploy communication networks in the most remote areas, which are difficult both to reach and service. 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 areas.

Experienced management team. Our management is comprised of an experienced executive team. Both Mr. Dov Baharav, the Chairman of our Board of Directors, and Mr. Yona Ovadia, our Chief Executive Officer, have broad experience in senior executive positions. Mr. Baharav served as Chairman of the Board of Directors of Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd. and was President and CEO and a member of the Board of Directors of Amdocs Management Limited, or Amdocs, (NASDAQ: DOX). Prior to joining our Company, Mr. Ovadia served as Group President & Head of Services Group at Amdocs and in various other executive positions.

Our Growth Strategy

Our objective is to leverage our technology and services capabilities in order to:

Expand Presence in the IFC Market – We continue to develop our hub and modem technology to serve connectivity needs of aviation service providers. We are also placing a major focus on developing a new dual band Ka/Ku terminal, as well as leveraging our unique Phased Array antennas. These solutions are designed to serve the high growth of IFC services in the commercial aviation and business aviation markets.

Fortify our Leadership Position in the 4G/LTE Backhaul Market - We intend to continue to leverage our technology, as well as our experience, to serve mobile network operators’ 4G/5G connectivity needs in rural, metro-edge and metro areas with long term projects.

Serve as a Key Partner of HTS Satellite Operators – We will continue to serve as a meaningful partner of HTS operators, leveraging our leading technology in the market and our breadth of services to deploy and operate ground segments.

Provide Internet Broadband to Rural Areas – We intend to build on our experience in bringing broadband Internet to rural areas in Latin America and identify additional markets to expand into.

Our Businesses in 2017

Commercial Division

Overview

Our Commercial Division provides satellite communications network systems and associated professional and managed services to satellite operators, Telcos and service providers worldwide. Our operational experience in deploying large networks together with our global network of local offices enable us to work closely and directly with those providers. We provide equipment, solutions and services to the commercial, mobile, government, enterprise and consumer markets. 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.

We also support satellite networking through professional services, training and a full range of turnkey solutions and outsourced network operations.

Our SkyEdge product family, including the SkyEdge II and SkyEdge II-c products, allow us to deliver efficient, reliable and affordable broadband connectivity such as Internet, voice, data and video. As a single platform SkyEdge II-c supports multiple applications such as Broadband Access, Enterprise Cellular Backhaul and Mobility applications.

Our Commercial Division is headquartered in Petah Tikva, Israel and operates through multiple offices worldwide.

Products and Solutions

Broadband Satellite Network System

Our SkyEdge II 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 II system also includes advanced mechanisms which ensure that the transmissions via the satellite utilize the available satellite bandwidth efficiently and enhance the user experience.

Our SkyEdge II-c system supports large-scale broadband services for both consumer and enterprise applications, including fast web browsing, high-speed trunking, video streaming, Internet Protocol Television, or IPTV, Voice Over Internet Protocol, or VoIP, and other bandwidth-intensive services. The SkyEdge II-c platform supports four VSAT types: Scorpio, Gemini, Capricorn and Taurus.

It includes a unified, centralized network management system, or NMS which manages all hub elements at all gateways from a central NOC location. Enhanced FCAPS functions, or fault-management, configuration, accounting, performance, and security, a network management framework created by the International Organization for Standardization and the electronic machine to machine interface enable full visibility, control and seamless integration with the operator’s operations support system/ business support system, or OSS/BSS, environment.

SkyEdge II-c Scorpio is a cutting-edge, fully integrated Ka-band terminal. Scorpio unifies in a single weatherproof box all VSAT components, including BUC, Low Noise Block (downconverter) or LNB, OrthoMode Transducer, or OMT, feed assembly and a high speed modem/router. A single Ethernet cable connects the outdoor Scorpio to the home network, thus providing a simple demarcation point for improved network diagnostics and increased customer satisfaction.

SkyEdge II-c Gemini is a family of compact high-throughput routers, designed to enable high speed broadband services while meeting cost efficiencies required by residential customers and businesses. Gemini enables fast web browsing, video streaming, IPTV, VoIP, and other bandwidth intensive services. This solution comes in variations for enterprise applications such as retail, banking, automatic teller machines, or ATMs, lotteries and USO/USF government-funded programs aimed to expand broadband connectivity to underserved regions

SkyEdge II-c Capricorn is a family of ultra-high-performance satellite routers that are used for corporate services, 3G/LTE cellular backhauling, IP trunks and mobility services. For IP trunks and mobility, Capricorn delivers acceleration and packet-per-second performance that support hundreds of users per VSAT. For LTE cellular backhauling, Capricorn includes our patented (granted in Japan and patent-pending in other countries) cellular data acceleration technology that enables full LTE speeds of up to 150Mbps for cellular handheld devices. To reach these high return speeds, Capricorn supports both Time Division Multiple Access, or TDMA, and Single Channel Per Carrier, or SCPC, transmission.

SkyEdge II-c VSATs provide operational simplicity and reduced operational expenditures. They provide simple, Do-It-Yourself, VSAT installation that expedites deployment and reduces costs. The VSAT kit is designed with minimum assembly parts and an easy to point antenna. In addition, our Ka-band transceiver Scorpio terminals and Ka transceivers are equipped with audible indicators to assist in the fine pointing. The VSAT customer premises equipment, or CPE, includes an intuitive graphical user interface that guide the installer step by step through the installation and service activation process.

Commercial Division Solutions

Vertical Solutions

We target specific vertical markets where our products and solutions are most suitable and in which we have multiple references and credibility. These vertical markets include the consumer market, cellular backhaul, oil and gas, banking and finance and rural and e-government markets, among others.

Cellular Small-Cell-over-Satellite Solution

The CellEdge product is an integrated small cell over satellite solution for cost effective cellular connectivity to remote areas on 2G/3G/4G networks. The integrated solution comprises an outdoor small cell that is optimized to provide an enhanced user experience. The satellite backhaul is provided by our SkyEdge II-c VSAT system, which minimizes satellite space segment overheads by applying efficient voice and data compression combined with satellite bandwidth allocation on demand. Because the small cell is lightweight, it can be mounted on a low-cost pole or light-tower. Power transmission is high while power consumption is low. The lack of overhead associated with this solution makes it particularly attractive to network operators and supports the business case for remote connectivity.

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 VSATs are not the main part of the solution. We see a growth in market demand for vendors capable of fully delivering integrated solutions for interdisciplinary, communication based projects.

In certain other situations we are required to provide our VSAT solution in a turnkey mode where 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;

Satellite 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;

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 products are designed and tested at our facilities in Israel as well as our four other R&D facilities around the world. We outsource a significant portion of the VSAT manufacturing of our products to third parties. 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.

Marketing and Sales

We use both direct and indirect sales channels to market our products, solutions and services. Our Commercial 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, while sales stemming from an immediate need for product delivery can be completed within two to three months. The sales process includes gaining an understanding of customer needs, several network design iterations and network demonstrations.

Customers and Markets

We provide our Satellite Communication solutions to satellite operators, governments, system integrators, telecommunication companies and MNOs, satellite communication providers, ISPs, and homeland security and defense agencies. Our customers benefit from:

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a single accountable partner for all of their satellite communication network needs;

• high credibility and experience;

• local presence and partnerships;

• industry-leading technology and system integration;

• flexibility and customization; and

• proven ability to deliver innovative end-to-end solutions.

We sell and distribute our products and provide services internationally, particularly in Latin America, Asia, Asia Pacific, the U.S., Africa, CIS (Russian Commonwealth) and Europe.

We sell VSAT communications networks and solutions primarily to service providers that mostly serve the enterprise consumer, cellular backhauling, and mobility market. We have more than 300 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, Entel in Bolivia and SCT in Mexico.

Service providers for the consumer market are typically Telcos planning to expand Internet service to the consumer markets.

Our VSAT networks also provide underserved areas with a high-speed Internet connection similar to DSL service provided to residential users. Among such customers are Optus in Australia, Hispasat in Spain and SBBS in several countries in Europe.

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 tele-centers that can serve the local population. These tele-centers include computers, printers, fax machines, photocopiers 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.

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.

Mobility Division

We provide satellite communication on the move systems with solutions for land, sea and air, while placing major focus on IFC. The division’s portfolio includes a cloud based VSAT network platform, high-speed modems, high performance on-the-move antennas and high efficiency, high power SSPAs and BUCs.

SkyEdge Satellite Network System

We utilize our SkyEdge product family, including the SkyEdge II-c, to deliver efficient, reliable and affordable broadband connectivity such as Internet, voice, data and video in travelling environments. Our SkyEdge II product family is based on a single hub with multiple VSATs to support a variety of services and applications, utilizing advanced mechanisms for utilizing available satellite bandwidth efficiently. The SkyEdge II-c system supports bandwidth-intensive services with a network management system that manages all hub elements at all gateways from a central NOC location.

SkyEdge II-c Taurus

SkyEdge II-c Taurus manages the entire in-flight satellite communication connectivity with simultaneous support for broadband IFC and Internet Protocol Television, or IPTV and will be a key component of our Ku/Ka aeronautical satellite communication solution, as our ultra-high-performance aero-modem manager (MODMAN) for in-flight connectivity. All SkyEdge II-c VSATs are full-featured IP routers, supporting enhanced IP routing features such as DHCP, NAT/PAT and IGMP. Advanced application-based QoS, guarantees the performance of real-time applications such as VoIP and video streaming, while also supporting other data applications. SkyEdge II-c VSATs also support next generation IPv6 networking.

Raysat Low-Profile Satellite Communication on the Move Antenna Systems

Our RaySat series consists of low-profile, in-motion, two-way antennas for satellite communication on the move. Compact, aerodynamic and vehicle-mounted, RaySat antennas deliver mission-critical data, voice and video for secure, real-time information flow.

Our RaySat products operate in Ku, Ka and X bands and are ideal for both civilian and military satellite communication on the move applications such as:

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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;

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Digital satellite news gathering – always on, no set up time, real-time streaming video;

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First responders - supports vehicles’ mobility, agility and stability required for teams to be the first to reach the scene; and

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Search and exploration teams, close-to-shore vessels etc.

A full suite of two-way, low-profile antennas is available with multiple onboard tracking sensors, enabling accurate tracking, short initial acquisition and instantaneous reacquisition. RaySat antenna products are designed, manufactured and assembled at our facilities in Bulgaria.

Products

RaySat SR300 (X, Ka, Ku) antennas feature an advanced flat-panel array which covers both the Rx and Tx. Minimal size, weight and power (SWaP) permit installation on small vehicles or marine vessels. The antenna’s light weight ensures easy and safe mounting for quick and easy operation by non-technical personnel.

RaySat ER5000 (Ka, Ku) has a sturdy structure and compact size allowing for implementation on a wide range of vehicles. ER5000 antennas maximize throughput using high-efficiency waveguide panel technology. The low profile, ruggedized two-way antenna system enables real-time Ka- and Ku-band satellite communications for video, voice and data transfer.

RaySat ER7000 maximizes throughput using high-efficiency waveguide panel technology and the antenna’s light weight ensures easy and safe vehicle mounting. It has been widely deployed worldwide on trains and large vehicles.

RaySat ER6000 is a high capacity versatile dual-band airborne satellite two-way antenna for IFC that is capable of being switched between Ka and Ku bands during flight, and can operate in either band as required. This solution enables aeronautical real-time broadband satellite communications for video, voice and data. The antenna is designed to maximize throughput by using high-efficiency waveguide panel technology. Its low profile and light weight will permit easy and safe mounting on aircraft. The rugged antenna structure will be particularly suited for operation in challenging environments, providing reliable, continuous, in-flight broadband communications.

Electronically-Steered-Array, Phased-Array Antenna (ESA/PAA) (Ka, Ku) is an ultra-slim (low-profile) antenna with no moving parts that will electronically steer the transmission and reception beams towards the satellite, allowing operation even around the equator. The antenna design will be highly scalable, with array dimensions that can be changed to optimally match specific gain requirements, making it suitable for a wide range of mobile platforms (aerial, land and maritime) and various throughput performance needs. Owing to its scalability and ultra-low profile, the antenna will be particularly suited to supporting mobile connectivity for platforms that are constrained by size and weight.

Wavestream

Our Wavestream subsidiary designs and manufactures next generation solid-state power amplifiers for mission-critical defense and broadcast satellite communications systems. Wavestream’s innovative, patented Spatial AdvantEdge™ technology provides higher output power, greater reliability and lower energy usage in more compact packages than traditional amplifier solutions. Our Wavestream product line meets the growing demand for greater efficiency and significant lifecycle cost reductions for satellite communications systems worldwide.

Wavestream’s headquarters, research and development, engineering and manufacturing facilities are located in San Dimas, California, with an additional research and development center in Singapore. Our BUCs are manufactured in our San Dimas facility.

The Wavestream product line addresses the following applications and markets:

Defense Communications - satellite-based airborne and highly secured 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, Single Channel Per Carrier, or 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;

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 airborne IFC terminals/antennas in commercial and business airplanes high speed for Internet access. The satellite terminals/antennas are usually provided via system integrators, service providers or airframe manufacturers, and not directly from the power amplifier suppliers;

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, GATR Technologies (a subsidiary of Cubic Corporation), L-3, Honeywell, Tecom and AeroSat Corporation.

RF amplifiers, BUCs and transceivers

The Wavestream product line consists of RF amplifiers, BUCs and transceivers that use solid-state sources to produce high power at microwave and millimeter-wave frequencies. Our patented Spatial AdvantEdge™ technology allows us to create more compact product packages that provide higher power, greater reliability and improved efficiency for any mission-critical applications. The spatially power combined amplifier employs a different technique for combining the transistor outputs than traditional Monolithic Microwave Integrated Circuit, or MMIC, based amplifiers. Rather than combining in multiple steps, increasing loss and size with each combining stage, all transistor outputs are combined in a single step. Many amplifying elements synchronously amplify the input signal, and their outputs are combined in free space for very high combining efficiency.

Our patented technology allows us to create amplifiers and BUCs with high output power in more compact product packages that generate less heat, use less energy, and reduce lifecycle costs. Our products help customers meet the stringent power requirements for mission-critical communications system. We perform full factory acceptance testing on every unit we manufacture and deliver, ensuring each product has guaranteed performance over the full temperature range and over extended frequency bands.

We believe that we have established a leadership position with our compact, highly efficient SSPAs with a field-proven family of Ka, Ku, X and C-band products. Our Wavestream line of products are designed and tested to meet strenuous requirements for temperature, shock and vibration, over the full range of frequency and at the extremes of environmental performance specifications. Our field-proven technology and reputation for innovation and quality drive solutions for multiple applications targeting military, aerospace, commercial and broadcast satellite systems.

Wavestream AeroStream™

The Wavestream AeroStream™ is a state-of-the-art transceiver for challenging inflight satellite communications environments. AeroStream products meet RTCA/DO-160G, Boeing, Airbus and ARINC specifications for commercial aircraft as well as MIL-STD requirements for military aircraft. The AeroStream™ transceiver is in certification process with the FAA. AeroStream incorporates Wavestream’s next generation Spatial AdvantEdge™ technology to provide high power output with greater efficiency and reliability for airborne satellite communications applications. The AeroStream transceiver offers all necessary interfaces to work seamlessly with leading modems and Antenna Control Units, or ACUs, to provide a convenient turnkey solution.

Integrated Solutions

We offer fully integrated solutions based on our own technology and components. Our integrated solutions feature the highest standards of reliability and efficiency combining our own VSAT/modems, antennas and BUCs. We leverage our innovative and industry-leading technological capabilities from R&D centers around the world.

We provide an integrated quick-deploy mobile Satellite Communication solution for net-centric emergency and battle situations. We offer both commercial and military manpack terminals, named SatRanger and SatTrooper, respectively. These lightweight, portable solutions provide data, video and telephony under the toughest environmental and battle conditions. The small-size antenna can be set up in just a few minutes with automatic pointing and does not require any tools for assembly. The manpacks are highly integrated with our operationally proven components: antennas, built-in modems, BUCs and LNBs, all incorporated into one ruggedized enclosure. Low power consumption enables long hours of battery operation. The manpacks provide high availability, secure communications and excellent performance in extremely low signal to noise ratio conditions.

Our BlackRay Satellite Communication terminals are specially designed for UAV and USV applications. These terminals have been used worldwide in commercial and military applications, which require high-throughput communications and minimal size, weight, and power. The system’s miniscule dimensions allow Beyond-Line-of-Sight (BLoS) operations for even the smallest platforms, in harsh weather conditions, while supporting video and data downlink and uplink applications. These highly integrated terminals feature best-of-breed antenna, modem and BUC technologies developed and manufactured by us. Customized solutions of the BlackRay platform are also available for specific customer platforms and needs.

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles - Our BlackRay 71 and parabolic systems serve the critical need to exploit the full capabilities of an aircraft’s operational range. As one of the industry’s smallest and most compact aerial solutions in its category, our integrated approach can dramatically increase mission effectiveness. We offer a full range of Satellite Communication systems for Group 3, 4 and 5 UAVs, operating in Ku-, Ka- and X- band, and available in different sizes and bit rates.

Unmanned Surface Vehicles - Our BlackRay Maritime 300 is a compact system that can be quickly implemented to deliver high-throughput communication, even for small USVs. The BlackRay Maritime 300 has been designed to meet minimal size, weight and power requirements and can transmit more than 2Mbps for IP-based video or data BLoS applications. This maritime terminal delivers spectrum-efficient IP connectivity, adaptive in real time to varying link conditions.

Services Division

We are a service provider for broadband services and public telephony in rural areas, incorporating our hubs, satellite network equipment and terrestrial technologies (typically, fiber-optic and wireless technologies). We are generally engaged through BOT contracts subsidized by the government. Accordingly, we build the infrastructure, act as a licensed telecommunications operator for a defined period and then transfer the network to the customer. We also build telecommunication infrastructure typically using fiber-optic and wireless technologies for broadband connectivity and transfer them to government upon completion.

Our services include operating public phones (primarily utilizing prepaid cards) and providing broadband services to public entities, such as schools, health centers and police stations. In addition, we use our infrastructure to provide services to other local operators, enterprise, SME, SOHO and residential customers as well as governmental entities, such as Poder Judicial Del Peru and the Peruvian national bank, Banco de la Nacion and others. We also provide satellite telecommunication equipment to local operators and to governmental entities, such as the Ministry of Education and a growing business line of capacity offering over our terrestrial networks (wireless) and reach expansion of the fiber networks to high demand areas (especially mines).

Our subsidiaries have local offices in Lima, Peru and Bogota, Colombia.

Services and Solutions

Since our first rural telephony project for FITEL in Peru in 1998, we have been awarded several of the rural communications projects launched by the Peruvian government. Overall, we operate approximately 7,500 telephony sites in Peru, and approximately 850 Internet services sites, and have been awarded large-scale government contracts to build and operate, or to build, operate and transfer, these networks. Additionally, we have developed services for financial sector customers, such as Banco de la Nacion, providing Internet, data and telephony services. Our rural network serves more than six million people.

In December 2013, we were awarded a contract from the Peruvian government (through FITEL) for the deployment and operation of a wireless transport and distribution network in the northern Amazonas region of Peru. The contract, worth $30 million, is for construction of the network, its operation for 10 years and the provision of services to 88 villages along the network’s path. This contract was expanded in 2014 by approximately $6 million for 24 additional localities along the Amazonas River. It was successfully constructed, approved by FITEL and has entered the operational phase. In 2015, we were awarded four Regional FITEL Projects by the Peruvian government (through FITEL), with expected revenues of $393 million over approximately 13 years for the construction of networks, operation of the networks for a defined period and their transfer to the government. Pursuant to the Regional FITEL Projects awarded in 2015, we are building fiber-optic transport networks and will operate them for up to one year before transferring them to the Peruvian government. Under projects awarded in December 2015, we will transfer the transport networks that we build to the Peruvian government immediately upon completion. Additionally, we are constructing access networks, based on wireless technologies that we will operate for 10 years, prior to transferring them to the Peruvian government. We expect to generate additional revenues by enabling cellular carriers to acquire capacity over these networks to address the growing need for voice, data, and internet in these regions, as well as additional services to regional governments served in those projects.

We started operations in Colombia in 1999 by winning the government’s Compartel I project focused on rural telephony. This project was followed by several projects awarded by the Colombian government to us, under which Gilat Colombia operated large networks of thousands of rural sites spread throughout the country. The services for those rural sites included broadband internet connectivity, telephony, fax and other services. In December 2013, we were awarded a project, as part of the Kioscos Digitales project initiated by the Colombian Ministry of Information Technologies and Communications, or the Ministry of ITC, in the aggregate amount of 189 billion Colombian Pesos (approximately $63 million, based on the representative rate of exchange published as of December 31, 2017. In October 2017, the agreement was extended for an additional period ending in the second quarter of 2018, in an amount of up to around 57 billion Colombian Pesos (approximately $19 million, based on the representative rate of exchange published as of December 31, 2017). Under this project, we provide Internet/telephony connectivity for assimilation of educational and small communities programs in 1903 Kioscos sites in rural areas of the country. This project is expected to end in the first quarter of 2018. During 2015, we recorded an impairment of long lived assets charge of $10.1 million related to the Kioscos Digitales project. For more information, see ITEM 5.A - “Operating and Financial Review and Prospects - Operating Results - Impairment of Intangible Assets and Long-Lived Assets”.

Enterprise and Government Agencies

We provide private network equipment and related services to selected enterprises and government agencies. These customers contract directly with Gilat Peru 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.

Customer Support Operations

We complement our services with back office support in Peru and Colombia 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.

Sales and Marketing

We use direct and indirect sales channels to market our equipment and related 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.

Competition

The telecommunications industry operates in a competitive, rapidly changing market. In some cases, our competitors can also be our customers or partners. Accordingly, maintaining an open and cooperative relationship is important.

In the equipment market, we face competition from other providers of satellite communications systems, products and services, such as EchoStar, ViaSat, iDirect, Newtec and a few other smaller providers.

We compete in some HTS markets with competitors such as ViaSat and HNS that have launched high throughput satellites. Although we have entered the HTS market with competitive technology, we continue to expect competition in this market to increase.

Due to the nature of the satellite solution, the VSAT technology is, at times, commercially tied to the satellite technology itself, and, consequently, there may be circumstances where it is difficult for competitors to compete with an incumbent VSAT vendor using the particular satellite.

Our low-profile in-motion antennas compete with products from competitors such as Cobham, ERA, Panasonic, Orbit, Thinkom, Wiworld, Tracstar and L-3. This market is nascent, and not as mature as the satellite communications or satellite services markets.

Our primary competitors with respect to our BUCs and other Wavestream products are Comtech Xicom Technology, Inc., CPI Satcom, General Dynamics Satcom Technologies, Paradise Datacom and Mission Microwave Technologies.

In Peru and Colombia, where we primarily operate public rural telecom services, we typically encounter competition on bids for projects subsidized by the government or other public entities from various service providers, system integrators and consortiums. Some of these competitors offer solutions based on satellite communications technology and some on alternate technologies (typically fiber-optic or wireless). As operators that offer terrestrial or cellular networks expand their reach to certain Peru and Colombia regions, they compete with our communications solutions. Among such competitors are Telefonica del Peru, Axesat S.A., Skynet Colombia S.A. and Newcom International (owned by Speedcast).

Geographic Distribution of Our Business

The following table sets forth our revenues from continued operations by geographic area for the periods indicated below as a percent of our total sales:

	Years Ended December 31, 2017
	2017			2016			2015
Latin America		47	%		51	%		51	%
North America		26	%		20	%		14	%
EMEA		15	%		12	%		11	%
APAC		12	%		17	%		24	%
Total		100	%		100	%		100	%

C.	Organizational Structure

Significant Subsidiaries	Country/State of Incorporation	% ownership

1. Gilat Satellite Networks (Holland) B.V.	Netherlands	100%
2. Gilat Colombia S.A. E.S.P	Colombia	100%
3. Gilat to Home Peru S.A	Peru	100%
4. Gilat do Brazil Ltda.	Brazil	100%
5. Gilat Satellite Networks (Mexico) S.A. de C.V.	Mexico	100%
6. Wavestream Corporation	Delaware	100%
7. Gilat Networks Peru S.A	Peru	100%
8. Gilat Australia Pty Ltd.	Australia	100%
9. Gilat Satellite Networks (Eurasia) Limited	Russia	100%
10. Gilat Satellite Networks MDC (Moldova)	Moldova	100%
11. Raysat Bulgaria EOOD	Bulgaria	100%
12. Gilat Satellite Communication Technology (Beijing) Ltd.	China	100%

D.	Property, Plants and Equipment

Our headquarters are located in a modern office park which we own in Petah Tikva, Israel. This facility consists of approximately 380,000 square feet, out of which approximately 184,328 square feet are currently used by us and the remainder is subleased or offered for sublease to third parties.

We have NOCs in Australia, Peru and Colombia from which we perform network services and customer support functions.

We own facilities located on approximately 140,400 square feet of land in Backnang, Germany. Since May 2002, these facilities are leased to a third party, which lease expires on December 31, 2025. We own approximately 13,800 square feet of research and development facilities and rent approximately 12,600 square feet of manufacturing facilities in Sofia, Bulgaria, which lease will expire on May 31, 2018, and rent approximately 7,750 square feet in Moldova for research and development activities. Our Wavestream subsidiary currently occupies approximately 32,500 square feet of facilities for office space, research and development and manufacturing in San Dimas, California under a lease, which will expire on March 31, 2020.

We also maintain facilities in Brazil, Colombia, Mexico, China, Peru and Australia, along with representative offices in Bangkok (Thailand), New Delhi (India), Almaty (Kazakhstan), Jakarta (Indonesia), Moscow (Russia), Singapore and small facilities in other locations throughout the world.

We consider our current office space sufficient to meet our anticipated needs for the foreseeable future and suitable for the conduct of our business.

ITEM 4A: UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

There are no unresolved staff comments.

ITEM 5: 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 are a global provider of satellite-based broadband communications. We design and manufacture ground segment equipment, and provide comprehensive solutions and end-to-end services, powered by our e technology. Our portfolio comprises a cloud based satellite network platform, VSATs, amplifiers, high-speed modems, on-the-move antennas and high power SSPAs and BUCs. Our solutions support multiple applications with a full portfolio of products to address key applications including broadband access, cellular backhaul, enterprise, in-flight connectivity, maritime, trains, defense and public safety, all while meeting stringent service level requirements. We also provide connectivity services, internet access and telephony, to enterprise, government and residential customers utilizing both our own networks, and also other networks that we install, mainly based on BOT contracts. We also provide managed network services over VSAT networks owned by others.

We have a large installed base and have shipped more than 1.5 million satellite terminals to customers in approximately 90 countries on six continents since 1989. We have twenty sales and support offices worldwide, three NOCs and five R&D centers. Our products are primarily sold to communication service providers and operators that use satellite communications to serve enterprise, government and residential users. We also provide services directly to end‑users in certain countries.

Through 2017, we operated in three business segments, comprised of our Commercial, Mobility and Services divisions:

Terrestrial Infrastructure Projects includes our construction of the FITEL fiber and microwave network in Peru, which is currently part of the Services division.

The above changes in our reportable segments will have no effect on the goodwill assignment among the divisions.

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 certain foreign subsidiaries, whose functional currency has been determined to be their local currency, have been translated into U.S. dollars. The assets and liabilities of these subsidiaries have been translated using the exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet date. Statements of operations amounts have been translated using specific rates. The resulting translation adjustments are reported as a component of shareholders’ equity in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).

Explanation of Key Income Statement Items

Revenues

We generate revenues mainly from the sale of products, including construction of networks, from services for satellite-based communications networks and from providing connectivity services, Internet access and telephony, to enterprise, government and residential customers under large-scale contracts that utilize both our own networks and also other networks that we install, mainly based on BOT contracts. These large‑ scale contracts sometimes involve the installation of thousands of VSATs or massive fiber-optic transport and access networks. Sale of products includes principally the sale of VSATs, hubs, SSPAs, low-profile antennas and on-the-Move / on-the-Pause terminals and the construction phase of large-scale projects. 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 or system integrators. Sales consummated by our sales force and sales to resellers or system integrators are considered sales to end-users.

In 2017, 2016 and 2015, FITEL a Services Division customer, accounted for 28%, 34% and 11% of our revenues, respectively.

Costs and Operating Expenses

Cost of revenues, for both products and services, includes the cost of system design, equipment, satellite capacity, salaries and related costs, allocated overhead costs, depreciation, customer service, interconnection charges and third party maintenance and installation.

Our research and development expenses, net of grants received, consist of salaries and related costs, raw materials, subcontractor expenses, related depreciation costs and overhead allocated to research and development activities.

Our selling and marketing expenses consist primarily of salaries and related costs, commissions earned by sales and marketing personnel, trade show expenses, promotional expenses and overhead costs allocated to selling and marketing activities, as well as depreciation expenses and travel costs.

Our general and administrative expenses consist primarily of salaries and related costs, allocated overhead costs, office supplies and administrative costs, bad debts, fees and expenses of our directors, depreciation, and professional service fees, including legal, insurance and audit fees.

Our operating results are significantly affected by, among other things, the timing of contract awards and the performance of agreements. As a result, our revenues and income (loss) may fluctuate substantially from quarter to quarter, and we believe that comparisons over longer periods of time may be more meaningful. The nature of certain of our expenses is mainly fixed or partially fixed and any fluctuation in revenues will generate a significant variation in gross profit and net 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 trade receivables, inventories, deferred charges, long-lived assets, intangibles and goodwill, revenues, stock based compensation relating to options and contingencies. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various assumptions 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 VIEs, provisions of ASC 810, “Consolidation”, or ASC 810. Inter-company balances and transactions have been eliminated upon consolidation.

Most of the activity of Gilat Colombia consists of operating subsidized projects for the Ministry of ITC, through its “Dirección de Conectividad”, or DirCon, (formerly known as the Compartel Program). The first projects were originally awarded to our Colombian subsidiaries in 1999 and 2002 and were extended several times. An additional project was awarded to us in 2011 and was completed in December 2013. Another project was awarded to us by the Ministry of ITC in 2013 and was extended in 2017. The project is ongoing and scheduled to be completed in 2018.

As required in the bid documents for the Ministry of ITC 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 documents and the terms of the subsidy. We generate revenues both from the subsidy, as well as from the use of the network that we operate.

The Trusts are considered VIEs and we are identified as the primary beneficiary of the Trusts. Under ASC 810, we perform ongoing assessments of whether we are the primary beneficiary of a VIE. 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.

The cash held by the Trusts is consolidated within our financial statements and classified as “Restricted cash held by trustees”. The advances from customers received by the Trusts are consolidated within our financial statements and classified as “Advances from customers held by trustees”.

Revenues. Revenues from product sales are recognized in accordance with ASC 605-10, “Revenue recognition” and with ASC 605-25 “Multiple-Element Arrangements” (“ASC 605”), 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.

When a sales arrangement contains multiple elements, such as equipment and services, we allocate revenues to each element based on a selling price hierarchy. The selling price for a deliverable is based on its vendor specific objective evidence, or VSOE, if available, third party evidence, or TPE, if VSOE is not available, or estimated selling price, or ESP, if neither VSOE nor TPE is available. In multiple element arrangements, revenues are allocated to each separate unit of accounting for each of the deliverables using the relative selling prices of each of the deliverables in the arrangement based on the aforementioned selling price hierarchy. Where VSOE or TPE does not exist we establish ESP, based on our management judgment, considering internal factors such as margin objectives, pricing practices and historical sales.

Revenue from products under sales-type-lease contracts are recognized in accordance with ASC 840 “Leases”, or ASC 840, 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.

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

Revenues from contracts in which we provide construction or production of products (“Production-Type Contracts”) which are significantly customized to the buyer’s specifications are recognized in accordance with ASC 605-35, “Construction-Type and Production-Type Contracts”. In Production-Type Contracts under which we produce units of a basic product in a continuous or sequential production process, we recognize revenues based on the units-of-delivery method, recognizing revenue for each unit on the date that unit is delivered. In other Production-Type Contracts, which require significant construction and customization to the customer’s specifications, we recognize revenues using the percentage-of-completion method of accounting based on the input measure by using the ratio of costs related to construction performance incurred to the total estimated amount of such costs. The amount of revenue recognized is based on the total fees under the arrangement and the percentage of completion achieved. Provisions for estimated losses on uncompleted contracts, if any, are made in the period in which such losses are first determined, in the amount of the estimated loss on the entire contact.

Deferred revenue and advances from customers represent amounts received by our company when the criteria for revenue recognition as described above are not met and are included in “Advances from customers and deferred revenues” and “Other long-term liabilities”, as appropriate. When deferred revenue is recognized as revenue, the associated deferred costs are also recognized as cost of sales.

Income Taxes. We are subject to income taxation in the United States, Israel and numerous other jurisdictions. Determining our provision for income taxes requires significant management judgment. In addition, our provision for income taxes could be adversely affected by many factors, including, among other things, changes to our operating structure, changes in the amounts of earnings in jurisdictions with different statutory tax rates, changes in the valuation of deferred tax assets and liabilities and changes in tax laws. We are subject to ongoing tax examinations in various jurisdictions. Tax authorities may disagree with our intercompany charges, cross-jurisdictional transfer pricing or other matters and assess additional taxes. While we regularly evaluate the likely outcomes of these examinations to determine the adequacy of our provision for income taxes, there can be no assurance that the outcomes of such examinations will not have a material impact on our results of operations and cash flows. In addition, we may be audited in various jurisdictions, and such jurisdictions may assess additional taxes against us. Although we believe our tax estimates are reasonable, the final determination of any tax audits or litigation could be materially different from our historical tax provisions and accruals, which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations or cash flows in the period or periods for which a determination is made.

Significant judgment is required to determine the recognition and measurement attributes prescribed in Accounting Standards Codification, (“ASC 740-10-25”). In addition, ASC 740-10-25 applies to all income tax positions, including the potential recovery of previously paid taxes, which if settled unfavorably could adversely impact our provision for income taxes. Further, as a result of certain of our ongoing employment and capital investment actions and commitments, our income in certain countries is subject to reduced tax rates. Our failure to meet these commitments could adversely impact our provision for income taxes. In addition, we are subject to the continuous examination of our income tax returns by Israeli, U.S. and other tax authorities. We regularly assess the likelihood of adverse outcomes resulting from these examinations to determine the adequacy of our provision for income taxes. There can be no assurance that the outcomes from these continuous examinations will not have an adverse effect on our results of operations.

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 allowances for 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 net realizable value. Net realizable value is the estimated selling prices in the ordinary course of business, less reasonably predictable costs of completion, disposal, and transportation. 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. We write-off inventories that are considered obsolete. Remaining inventory balances are adjusted to the lower of cost or net realizable 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.

Impairment of Intangible Assets and Long-Lived Assets. We periodically evaluate our intangible assets and long-lived assets (mainly property and equipment) in all of our reporting units for potential impairment indicators in accordance with ASC 360, “Property, Plant and Equipment”, or “ASC 360”. 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 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 employed 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 annual report.

During 2017 and 2016, we did not identify any impairment losses of long-lived assets. Future events could cause us to conclude that impairment indicators exist, and that additional long-lived assets and intangible assets associated with our acquired businesses are impaired. Any resulting impairment loss could have a material adverse impact on our financial condition and results of operations.

During 2015, we encountered higher than expected expenses related to our project in Colombia, which resulted in operating and cash flow losses from this project. We considered these losses, combined with our projections for continuing losses from this project, as indicators of potential impairment of Gilat Colombia’s long lived assets and led us to evaluate the recoverability of those assets based on the future undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated by the assets. Following such evaluation, we came to the conclusion that the long-lived assets are not recoverable and impairment loss was calculated based on the excess of the carrying amount of the long-lived assets over the long-lived assets fair value. The $10.1 million impairment loss was recorded as part of “Impairment of long lived assets” in our statement of operations in the consolidated financial statements included in this annual report.

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 “Intangibles - Goodwill and Others”, or ASC 350, 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 off if and to the extent it is impaired. We conduct our impairment testing in the fourth quarter of each year, or more often if there are indicators of impairment present. We first assess qualitative factors, for all of our reporting units, to determine whether it is necessary to perform the quantitative goodwill impairment test. If the qualitative assessment does not result in a more likely than not indication of impairment, no further impairment testing is required, otherwise the 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.

In 2017, following an improvement in the Mobility segment results, we performed a qualitative assessment and concluded that it is not more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting units is less than their carrying amounts and accordingly it is unnecessary to perform the two-step quantitative goodwill impairment test.

In 2016, we performed both qualitative and quantitative assessment and concluded that no impairment of goodwill needs to be recorded.

In 2015, the continuing pressure on the DoD budget in the United States along with delayed orders from other clients as well as other factors, resulted in a decline in revenues and operational results of our Mobility Division compared to budget and prior year’s results. These factors were considered by us as indicators of a potential impairment of the Mobility Division’s goodwill.

In accordance with ASC 350, “Intangible – Goodwill and Other” (“ASC 350”), following the identification of impairment indicators, we performed a goodwill impairment test for the two reporting units in the Mobility Division, using the income approach to value the reporting units’ fair value. The material assumptions used for the income approach were five (5) years of projected cash flows, a long-term growth rate of 4% and a discounted rate of 13%. The impairment test resulted in a goodwill impairment of $20.4 million in 2015, attributable to the Wavestream reporting unit. This impairment was recorded as part of “Goodwill impairment” in our statement of operations.

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.

Liabilities related to legal proceedings, demands and claims are recorded in accordance with ASC 450, “Contingencies”, or ASC 450, 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.

Year Ended December 31, 2017 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2016

Revenues. Revenues for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 for our three divisions were as follows:

	Year Ended							Year Ended
	December 31,							December 31,
	2017		2016					2017			2016
	U.S. dollars in thousands				Percentage change			Percentage of revenues

Commercial
Products		56,740		62,030		(8.5	)%		20.1	%		22.2	%
Services		27,126		31,791		(15.2	)%		9.6	%		11.4	%
		83,866		94,001		(10.8	)%		29.7	%		33.6	%
Mobility
Products		79,524		59,363		34.0	%		28.1	%		21.2	%
Services		8,873		3,548		150.1	%		3.1	%		1.3	%
		88,397		62,911		40.5	%		31.3	%		22.5	%
Services
Products		78,258		92,898		(15.8	)%		27.7	%		33.2	%
Services		32,235		29,741		8.4	%		11.4	%		10.6	%
		110,493		122,639		(9.9	)%		39.1	%		43.9	%
Total
Products		214,522		214,291		0.1	%		75.9	%		76.7	%
Services		68,234		65,260		4.6	%		24.1	%		23.3	%
Total		282,756		279,551		1.1	%		100.0	%		100.0	%

Our total revenues for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 were $282.8 million and $279.6 million, respectively. The increase in 2017 is mainly attributable to an increase of approximately $25.5 million in Mobility Division revenues, largely offset by a decrease of $10.1 in Commercial Division revenues and a $12.1 million decrease in Services Division revenues.

The increase in Mobility Division revenues is primarily attributable to an increase in sales related to airborne mobility products, principally IFC products and our Wavestream products.

The decrease in our Commercial Division revenues is primarily attributable to lower sales in the Asia Pacific and China regions partially offset by higher revenues in the Latin America region.

The decrease in Services Division revenues is primarily attributable to lower revenues from the four FITEL projects which we were awarded in 2015. We began deploying the first three projects during 2015 and the fourth in 2016. The four FITEL projects are expected to generate revenues of approximately $393 million over a period of approximately 13 years.

Gross profit. The gross profit and the gross margin of our three divisions for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 was as follows:

	Year Ended				Year Ended
	December 31,				December 31,
	2017		2016		2017			2016
	U.S. dollars in thousands				Percentage of revenues

Commercial
Products		17,587		18,018		31.0	%		29.0	%
Services		12,832		18,580		47.3	%		58.1	%
		30,419		36,598		36.3	%		38.9	%
Mobility
Products		37,294		19,965		46.9	%		33.6	%
Services		4,610		1,984		52.0	%		55.9	%
		41,904		21,949		47.4	%		34.9	%
Services
Products		6,473		13,745		8.3	%		14.8	%
Services		3,699		3,198		11.5	%		10.8	%
		10,172		16,943		9.2	%		13.8	%
Total
Products		61,355		51,728		28.6	%		24.1	%
Services		21,140		23,762		31.0	%		36.4	%
Total		82,495		75,490		29.2	%		27.0	%

Our gross profit is affected year-to-year by the mix of revenues between products and services, the regions in which we operate, the size of our transactions and the timing of when such transactions are consummated. Moreover, from time to time we may have large-scale projects which can cause material fluctuations in our gross profit. As such, we are subject to year-to-year fluctuation in our gross profit.

Our gross profit margin increased to 29.2% in 2017 from 27% in 2016. The increase in our gross profit margin in the year ended December 31, 2017 is mainly attributable to substantial higher revenue volume in our Mobility Division which is characterized with higher gross profit margins compared to our other divisions. This increase was partially offset by a decrease in our gross profit margin in the Services and Commercial Divisions.

The increase in the gross profit margin of the Mobility Division is mainly attributable to a different revenue mix and higher revenues in the year ended December 31, 2017 compared to the year ended December 31, 2016.

The decrease in the Commercial Division’s gross profit margin is mainly attributable to lower revenues and a slightly higher fixed expenses level in the year ended December 31, 2017, compared to the year ended December 31, 2016.

In the Services Division, the decrease in the gross profit margin is attributable to lower revenue from the FITEL projects and higher fixed expenses in the year ended December 31, 2017 compared to the year ended December 31, 2016.

Research and development expenses, net. Our research and development expenses are incurred by our Commercial and Mobility Divisions. Our research and development expenses for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 were as follows:

	Year Ended							Year Ended
	December 31,							December 31,
	2017		2016					2017			2016
	U.S. dollars in thousands				Percentage change			Percentage of revenues

Commercial
Expenses incurred		12,956		14,222		(8.9	)%		15.4	%		15.1	%
Less - grants		784		1,623		(51.7	)%		0.9	%		1.7	%
		12,172		12,599		(3.4	)%		14.5	%		13.4	%
Mobility
Expenses incurred		16,476		12,254		34.5	%		18.6	%		19.5	%
Less - grants		634		-		635.0	%		0.7	%		0.0	%
		15,842		12,254		29.3	%		17.9	%		19.5	%
Total, net (*)		28,014		24,853		12.7	%		16.3	%		17.5	%

(*) percentage of total net research and development costs of revenues is calculated based on total revenues of our Commercial and Mobility Divisions.

Research and development expenses increased by approximately $3.2 million in 2017 compared to 2016. The increase in expenses is related to our increased investments in R&D efforts in the Mobility Division to support our growing business.

Selling and marketing expenses. The selling and marketing expenses of our three reportable divisions for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 were as follows:

	Year Ended							Year Ended
	December 31,							December 31,
	2017		2016					2017			2016
	U.S. dollars in thousands				Percentage change			Percentage of revenues
Commercial		16,925		17,153		(1.3	)%		20.2	%		18.2	%
Mobility		5,782		5,483		5.5	%		6.5	%		8.7	%
Services		1,052		775		35.7	%		1.0	%		0.6	%
Total		23,759		23,441		1.5	%		8.4	%		8.4	%

Selling and marketing expenses increased by approximately $0.3 million in the year ended December 31, 2017 compared to the year ended December 31, 2016. Selling and marketing expenses increased in each of our Mobility and Services Divisions by approximately $0.3 million. This increase was partially offset by a decrease of $0.2 million in our Commercial Division.

General and administrative expenses. The general and administrative expenses of our three divisions for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 were as follows:

	Year Ended							Year Ended
	December 31,							December 31,
	2017		2016					2017			2016
	U.S. dollars in thousands				Percentage change			Percentage of revenues
Commercial		6,016		10,657		(43.5	)%		7.2	%		11.3	%
Mobility		6,326		9,138		(30.8	)%		7.2	%		14.5	%
Services		7,519		6,676		12.6	%		6.8	%		5.4	%
Total		19,861		26,471		(25.0	)%		7.0	%		9.5	%

General and administrative expenses decreased by approximately $6.6 million in the year ended December 31, 2017 compared to the year ended December 31, 2016. This decrease is attributable to $4.6 million and $2.8 million decreases in the expenses of our Commercial and Mobility Divisions, respectively, partially offset by an increase of $0.8 million in the expenses of our Services Division.

The decrease in expenses of our Commercial Division is primarily attributable to an accrual for bad debt related to a governmental customer in Venezuela arising from the worsening economic situation and the credit downgrade in that country that was recorded in 2016.

The $2.8 million decrease in our Mobility Division expenses, is primarily attributable to lower legal expenses due to the conclusion of trade secrets litigation that we initiated in 2015 against former employees in the U.S..

The increase in expenses of our Services Division in 2017 is primarily attributable to higher salaries and related benefits expenses and higher depreciation expenses.

Financial expenses, net. In the year ended December 31, 2017, we had financial expenses of approximately $4.3 million compared to financial expenses of approximately $4.8 million in 2016. The decrease in our financial expenses is primarily attributable to lower bank charges, surety and guaranty expenses, mainly related to our projects in Latin America.

Taxes on income. Taxes on income are dependent upon where our profits are generated, such as the location and taxation of our subsidiaries as well as changes in deferred tax assets and liabilities recorded mainly as part of business combinations. In the year ended December 31, 2017 we had a tax benefit of approximately $0.2 million compared to tax expenses of approximately $1.3 million in the year ended December 31, 2016.

Year Ended December 31, 2016 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2015

Revenues. Revenues for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 for our three divisions were as follows:

	Year Ended							Year Ended
	December 31,							December 31,
	2016		2015					2016			2015
	U.S. dollars in thousands				Percentage change			Percentage of revenues

Commercial
Products		62,030		65,666		(5.5	)%		22.2	%		33.2	%
Services		31,971		35,269		(9.4	)%		11.4	%		17.9	%
		94,001		100,935		(6.9	)%		33.6	%		51.1	%
Mobility
Products		59,363		38,746		53.2	%		21.2	%		19.6	%
Services		3,548		2,366		50.0	%		1.3	%		1.2	%
		62,911		41,112		53.0	%		22.5	%		20.8	%
Services
Products		92,898		24,558		278.3	%		33.3	%		12.4	%
Services		29,741		30,938		(3.9	)%		10.6	%		15.7	%
		122,639		55,496		121.0	%		43.9	%		28.1	%
Total
Products		214,291		128,970		66.2	%		76.7	%		65.3	%
Services		65,260		68,573		(4.8	)%		23.3	%		34.7	%
Total		279,551		197,543		41.5	%		100.0	%		100.0	%

Our total revenues for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 were $279.6 million and $197.5 million, respectively. The increase in 2016 is mainly attributable to an increase of approximately $67.1 million in Services Division revenues and a $21.8 million increase in Mobility Division revenues, partially offset by a decrease of $6.9 million in Commercial Division revenues.

The increase in Services Division revenues is primarily attributable to revenues from the four FITEL projects which we were awarded in 2015. We began deploying the first three projects during 2015 and the fourth in 2016. The four FITEL projects are expected to generate revenues of approximately $393 million over a period of approximately 13 years.

The increase in Mobility Division revenues is primarily attributable to an increase in sales related to airborne mobility products, principally IFC products and our Wavestream products.

The decrease in our Commercial Division revenues is primarily attributable to lower sales in the Latin America region due to adverse economic conditions in the entire region, including the entry of a large customer in Brazil into judicial reorganization proceedings. In addition, the satellite industry is shifting to HTS technology which is characterized by large deals with a longer decision-making process. This extended decision-making process affected our results in 2016.

Gross profit. The gross profit and the gross margin of our three divisions for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 was as follows:

	Year Ended					Year Ended
	December 31,					December 31,
	2016		2015			2016			2015
	U.S. dollars in thousands					Percentage of revenues

Commercial
Products		18,018		17,943			29.0	%		27.3	%
Services		18,580		19,567			58.1	%		55.5	%
		36,598		37,510			38.9	%		37.2	%
Mobility
Products		19,965		9,443			33.6	%		24.4	%
Services		1,984		954			55.9	%		40.3	%
		21,949		10,397			34.9	%		25.3	%
Services
Products		13,745		6,901			14.8	%		28.1	%
Services		3,198		(583	)		10.8	%		(1.9	)%
Impairment of long lived assets		-		(10,137	)		0.0	%		(18.3	)%
		16,943		(3,819	)		13.8	%		(6.9	)%
Total
Products		51,728		34,287			24.1	%		26.6	%
Services		23,762		19,938			36.4	%		29.1	%
Impairment of long lived assets		-		(10,137	)		0.0	%		(5.1	)%
Total		75,490		44,088			27.0	%		22.3	%

Our gross profit margin increased to 27.0% in 2016 from 22.3% in 2015. The increase in our gross profit margin in the year ended December 31, 2016 is mainly attributable to an increase in our overall sales compared to the year ended December 31, 2015 and an impairment of long lived assets of approximately $10.1 million that we recorded in 2015.

The increase in the Commercial Division’s gross profit margin is mainly attributable to revenues from deals with higher margins in the year ended December 31, 2016, compared to the year ended December 31, 2015, partially offset by lower revenues over a similar level of fixed expenses in the year ended December 31, 2016 compared to the year ended December 31, 2015.

The increase in the gross profit margin of the Mobility Division is mainly attributable to higher revenues partially offset by a higher level of fixed expenses in the year ended December 31, 2016 compared to the year ended December 31, 2015.

In the Services Division, the increase in our gross profit margin is attributable to the impairment of long-lived assets of approximately $10.1 million which was recorded in 2015, coupled with higher revenue from the FITEL projects in the year ended December 31, 2016, compared to the year ended December 31, 2015. During 2015, we encountered higher than expected expenses related to our project in Colombia, which resulted in operating and cash flow losses. Consequently, we identified an impairment loss of property and equipment, net and long-term deferred charges, which are part of “other assets” in our balance sheet, in the amount of $4.1 million and $6.0 million, respectively. The total impairment loss of $10.1 million was recorded as part of “Impairment of long lived assets” in the statement of operations.

	Year Ended							Year Ended
	December 31,							December 31,
	2016		2015					2016			2015
	U.S. dollars in thousands				Percentage change			Percentage of revenues

Commercial
Expenses incurred		14,222		16,698		(14.8	)%		15.1	%		16.5	%
Less - grants		1,623		2,523		(35.7	)%		1.7	%		2.5	%
		12,599		14,175		(11.1	)%		13.4	%		14.0	%
Mobility
Expenses incurred		12,254		8,254		48.5	%		19.5	%		20.1	%
Less - grants		0		17		(100.0	)%		0.0	%

Large accelerated filer ☐	Accelerated filer ☒
Non-accelerated filer ☐	Emerging growth company ☐