Qatar's new star - Es'hailSat
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
Photo courtesy Es'hailSat.
Regional Operator
Qatar’s new star
As one of the developing regions of the world, the Middle East has come a long way in terms of
economic development and now the region is looking to invest in new and diverse industries –
one of which is satellite. With significant demand for satellite services, there is opportunity for new
operators. We take a look at new player Es’hailSat as they begin their journey in the satellite
industry.
The Middle East is gradually turning into a hot bed for satellite Investment in the space industry has been significant with inves-
investment. Newcomers to the market are creating a buzz of excite- tors such as Mubadala looking at long-term opportunities. The satel-
ment in the region and this can only be a very positive thing for a lite industry represents a prime long-term investment and one with a
region that is running low on available satellite capacity, yet is expe- good return. It is also an issue of independence for the Middle East
riencing burgeoning demand for the full raft of satellite communica- as a region. No longer do countries want to be reliant on others to
tions services. With events on the horizon such as the FIFA World provide satellite capacity over their region – they wish to do it them-
Cup in 2022, the region is gearing up to provide more capacity, that selves. The independence that a dedicated satellite can give a coun-
such international happenings demand, not to mention catering for try is huge, as well as developing it socio-economically and also
a nation that is increasingly ICT savvy. across different regions. If the investment is available, the develop-
The region already has long established satellite operators such ment of a satellite programme is an excellent project to become in-
as Arabsat doing very good business, but the region has also some volved with.
new and emerging players such as Yahsat, that has recently launched A current satellite venture in the Middle East is Es’hailSat, a re-
its first two satellites and is operating successfully. Yahsat has intro- gional satellite operator formed in 2010 and based in Doha, Qatar.
duced some very innovative products such as YahCarrier and YahClick Es’hailSat will eventually provide television, Internet, corporate and
go and this kind of innovation is being nurtured by other satellite government services to customers across the Middle East, North
operators with plans in the region such as Eutelsat and SES. Yahsat Africa and beyond. Es’hailSat 1 is currently under construction with
was been formed as part of a joint venture with SES, while Eutelsat Space Systems/Loral, and scheduled for launch in Q2 2013. The
has partnered with the Qatar Satellite Company on the Es'hailSat company envisages a fleet of five or six satellites that will be control-
platform. led and managed by the State of Qatar.
24 www.satellite-evolution.com | September/October 2012
Regional Operator
The satellite project was born out of a strategic alliance between The Middle East countries, and Qatar in particular, have a great
Eutelsat and ictQatar that would expand opportunities at Eutelsat’s entrepreneurial spirit, which has fed into the desire to become in-
25.5 degrees East orbital position. Es’hailSat 1 will follow-on from volved in the satellite industry. Qatar, as a country, is currently fo-
Eutelsat’s EUROBIRD™ 2 satellite, which is currently operated at cused in diversifying its industries. Satellite is fast becoming a popu-
25.5° East. In addition to securing Ku-band continuity for Eutelsat lar option as it gives countries the opportunity to provide their own
and additional Ku-band resources for ictQATAR, it will initiate a Ka- communications, to provide security and to become part of a select
band capability opening business opportunities for both parties. and highly sought after industry that is progressive and constantly
This multi-mission architecture will enable both partners to re- looks to the future.
spond to the fastest-growing applications in the Middle East and Af-
rica, including video broadcasting, enterprise communications and The satellite
government services. The television market will in particular benefit Es’hailSat 1 will provide coverage to the MENA in both Ku- (eight
from the installed base of more than 13 million satellite homes al- transponders) and Ka-band (seven transponders). After its launch
ready equipped for Direct-to-Home reception from this neighbour- on board an Arianespace Ariane 5 launch vehicle, the six tonne sat-
hood. Es’hailSat 2 is already in development. ellite that is based on Space System Loral’s 1300 satellite design;
As described, Es’hailSat will add much needed capacity to a will provide superior coverage and power for enhanced services to
region that is experiencing a surge in demand for satellite services. its customers.
Demand for high-speed Internet and HD and 3D services is on a Qatar Satellite Company has been very careful to strike the right
growth curve and the satellite’s Ku- and Ka- transponders will help partnerships to feed its development as a satellite operator. In order
to satiate this hunger for satellite-based services. to better understand what its broadcast customers need, the com-
NSR’s Global Assessment of Satellite Supply & Demand, 9th pany has signed an MoU with the Al Jazeera Network that will pro-
Edition report found that there are several key demand drivers in the mote closer co-operation between the two companies regarding the
Middle East at the moment. Patrick French, Senior Analyst at the strategic satellite infrastructure required by Al Jazeera to build its
firm said: “The widebeam Ka-band market, especially for the gov/mil capabilities and extend its reach out to the rest of the world.
segment in the Middle East, is also beginning to get some real trac- Within the framework of the MOU, Es’hailSat will provide inde-
tion for the industry even if total revenue growth is expected to be pendent and strategic satellite solutions to meet Al Jazeera’s require-
substantially smaller that the Ku-band or HTS side of the business. ments for broadcast independence and sustainability, including the
There should also be continued strong growth in C-band video dis- provision of satellite capacity and the development of orbital posi-
tribution services driven by expanding carriage of HD and SD chan- tions and ground services to support future expansion opportunities
nels, plus slow ramp up of 3D and eventually Ultra HD channels.” in new markets.
Demand for satellite services is also being driven by factors such Sheikh Ahmed Bin Jassim Al Thani, Director General of Aljazeera
as oil and gas exploration and other industries that require high quality Media Network, said: “Al Jazeera was established in 1996 as an
communications no matter where teams or offices are located. independent broadcaster located in the heart of the Middle East with
Photo courtesy of Shutterstock.
26 www.satellite-evolution.com | September/October 2012
Regional Operator
over 70 news bureaus worldwide. Our channel covers regions and sign, manufacture, test and launch.
events across the world managed from our facilities in Doha. It is a In this regard, Ali Ahmed Al Kuwari, Es’hailsat CEO expressed
major step forward that Qatar now also has its own satellite operator his happiness to be able to provide the first satellite training program
and we look forward to working closely with Es’hailSat in the future.” in the country for these four promising engineers. He further men-
Commenting on the agreement, Es’hailSat CEO, Ali Ahmed Al tioned that this investment in local talent underpins Es’hailsat’s mis-
Kuwari, said: “We are delighted to be able to work with Al-Jazeera sion to become a world-class satellite operator and centre of excel-
Networks on the development of satellite services over the long term lence in the region and fully-supports the goals of Qatar’s 2030 Vi-
and to support their evolving strategic interests including satellite sion.
radio, ground services, newsgathering and other ancillary communi- Al-Kuwari also mentioned that the objective from the forthcom-
cations services.” ing launch of Es’hail 1 and future satellites planned is to provide
Es’hailSat is aiming to provide high quality, independent satellite high quality, independent satellite services to customers throughout
services to customers throughout the Middle East and North Africa the Middle East and North Africa and to support Qatar’s commit-
and to support Qatar’s commitment to meeting the sophisticated ment to meeting the sophisticated communications needs required
communications needs required to host FIFA’s World Cup in 2022. to host FIFA’s World Cup in 2022.
Developing knowledge base An eye on the future
Further to developing relationships with its customers, the Qatar The Qatar Satellite Company has already shown itself to be prag-
Satellite Company is also nurturing its first generation of satellite matic and sensible in its approach to starting up in the satellite world.
engineers by building upon its relationship with Es’hailSat 1’s manu- Es’hailSat 1 will be first satellite to be orbited by Qatar and this repre-
facturer, SS/L. sents a great breakthrough for the country. Perhaps even more im-
A delegation from Qatar Satellite Company Es’hailSat has re- pressive, is the attitude of the company with regard to learning – to
cently completed a visit to SS/L’s facility in Palo Alto, California to finding out what its customers require and how they can better meet
receive an update on the Es’hail 1 satellite manufacturing programme. their need. Partnering with Eutelsat – a highly experienced and suc-
Perhaps more importantly, the delegation also followed the progress cessful operator, gives the company on-tap expertise and helps them
in the two-year intensive satellite training programme being given to to reduce risk. In addition, the company is training Qatar’s first gen-
four Es’hailSat engineering trainees. eration of satellite engineers and in order to make sure that they are
The intensive satellite training programme was agreed upon for getting the very best experience, they are working alongside highly
the purpose of developing knowledgeable and sophisticated engi- experienced SS/L engineers on Es’hailSat 1 in order to get hands on
neering staff to specify, oversee the manufacture of, launch and op- knowledge that they can take back to Qatar. By nurturing homegrown
erate commercial communication satellites. The engineering candi- engineering talent, Qatar can begin to develop its own space capabili-
dates are rotating through skills development in various departments ties and with more satellites planned and budgeted for, the country
at Space Systems/Loral, following the Es’hail 1 satellite through de- has a solid base from which to begin its space story.
Photo courtesy Phillip Lange and Shutterstock.
28 www.satellite-evolution.com | September/October 2012You can also read
