Yahlive, the Abu Dhabi-based satellite joint venture between the world leading satellite operator SES and UAE satellite company Yahsat, announced on August 16 that it has signed a contract renewal with the BBC World Service. As part of the ongoing agreement, the BBC will continue the broadcast of its Persian and Arabic television channels as well as the radio programming from its Arabic and Afghan services to audiences across Yahlive's wide and culturally diverse footprint.
Thuraya Telecommunications Company announced the election of a new chairman, Eng. Saleh Al Abdooli.
Thuraya Telecommunications has signed an agreement with VNPT VinaPhone making its land and maritime handsets available to the Vietnam Posts and Telecommunications Group (VNPT). Thuraya's first service agreement in Vietnam is helping VNPT VinaPhone establish satellite services, which was marked by a ceremony attended by Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc in Hanoi on 4th August 2016.
Integrated Telecom Company (ITC) continues to provide all the technical solutions to its customers through its network that connects the regions of Saudi Arabia with the world. As well as strengthening its satellite communications in order to cover all the regions in the Middle East. This comes as an expansion to its partnership with Intelsat, which was signed in April 2009. ITC has 4 spectrum bands on its satellite IS15.
Sparkle announces that it will provide GÉANT with a 2,5 Gbps circuit from Marseille (France) to Annaba (Algeria), boosting the existing connectivity currently dedicated to Algeria's scientists, academics and students community. Sparkle has historically provided network solutions for GÉANT since 2002 to reinforce connectivity among education and research centers located in different countries including India, Tunisia, Malta, Morocco, Egypt, Cyprus, Greece. Currently Sparkle also provides GÉANT with 5Gbps connectivity to Brazil.
Thuraya Telecommunications Company launched a dedicated M2M service and terminal that is available across its extensive coverage area and for the first time over North America.
The Tunisian broadcasting corporation (ONT) has signed a multi-year contract with Eutelsat Communications to broadcast its new subscription-free TV platform across North and West Africa. ONT has selected the powerful EUTELSAT 7 West A satellite to reach viewers across the region.
UAE-based satellite operator Yahsat has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to explore the possibility of new joint opportunities with existing partner, IEC Telecom Group (IEC Telecom) in Africa. The agreement comes ahead of Yahsat, taking delivery of its third satellite, Al Yah 3.
Telenor Satellite announced the commercial readiness of its THOR 7 Ka-band mobility service. The Ka-band payload offers regional coverage with a favorable look angle over the main European shipping lanes and utilizes high-powered spot beams, providing unprecedented performance for maritime applications.
Thuraya Telecommunications hosted a delegation from NASA at its primary gateway office in Sharjah.
Organized in conjunction with the UAE Space Agency, the visit was an opportunity to showcase Thuraya's communication and satellite network systems, helping to demonstrate the country's satellite capabilities.
The NASA party, led by Badri Younes, deputy associate administrator, Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate, was given a guided tour by Thuraya chief technology officer, Ahmed Al Shamsi. The guests were shown the operations control center, the antennas serving Thuraya's satellites and were given a detailed presentation to Thuraya's network and portfolio of products and services.
Having seen Thuraya's facilities first hand, the visitors also discussed potential collaboration, exploring future opportunities to work together.
Speaking at the end of the visit, Younes said: "Today's visit was a great opportunity to see just how much Thuraya has grown in recent years, and to establish key points of contact. We enjoyed our discussions together here today. Thuraya has historically provided many agencies with tremendous servicesupport, and we at NASA would like to work together closely too in support of our planned cooperation with the UAE Space Agency."
The guest party also included Judith E. Baker, vice consul and economic affairs officer at the Consulate General of the United States of America. They were welcomed by Amal Ezzeddine, Thuraya senior director, Government Services, and Mubarak Al Ahbabi, UAE Space Agency senior specialist, system and program.
Ezzeddine said: "It is a pleasure to support the UAE Space Agency. We have shown the strength of our current capabilities here in the UAE, and around the world, and it is exciting to discuss ideas with our guests from NASA. This was an excellent opportunity to understand how Thuraya can work together in the future with NASA. We look forward to more meetings to come, and the innovation that will come from the collaborative relationship we are developing with one another."
