Incorporating rigorous standards of quality and performance, Yahsat is spearheading a nations aspirations towards creating a knowledge-based economy. Tareq Abdul Raheem Al Hosani, deputy CEO, Yahsat, speaks to Supriya Srinivas. What unique advantages does Yahsat 1A and 1B offer customers? Yahsat 1A has a hybrid mission combining military and commercial payloads. The satellite was built to […]
Incorporating rigorous standards of quality and performance, Yahsat is spearheading a nations aspirations towards creating a knowledge-based economy. Tareq Abdul Raheem Al Hosani, deputy CEO, Yahsat, speaks to Supriya Srinivas.
What unique advantages does Yahsat 1A and 1B offer customers?
Yahsat 1A has a hybrid mission combining military and commercial payloads. The satellite was built to the highest standards to meet our military obligations. The planning, execution and testing was done to rigorous standards and our commercial clients will benefit from the high quality of service, secure connections and longer life. For instance with our Ku band that is dedicated to TV broadcasting, we have a unique solution for jamming. We can uplink from Europe, South East Asia or the Middle East so if the jamming comes from any one area, we have an alternative. We also enjoyed the advantage of competitive financing that allows us to offer services at reasonable prices to our clients. In addition, other advantages include strong signals that enable the use of smaller dish sizes, a favourable look-angle to ensure uninterrupted service and three connected beams in Ku band to enhance flexibility and eliminate audience waste. Yahsat 1A is geared towards the needs of this region based on feedback from local users in the satellite industry that was incorporated in the planning stage.
Yahsat 1B to be launched shortly will deliver internet connectivity through its Ka-band multi-spot beams, with reusable frequencies to maximise spectrum efficiency. The multi spot-beam technology means greater efficiency on the ground, which enables use of a smaller antenna size with a low power amplifier. Due to the highly flexible system design, YahClick broadband service will be able to offer basic internet access for a home user as well as corporate users at rates comparable to terrestrial services.
Yahsat has initiated strategic relationships with satellite service providers and equipment manufacturers towards building long-term partnerships. What are you looking for in a strategic partner?
Though we are a new company, we represent the UAE and Mubadala. This has given us the luxury of being able to pick and choose our partners. We choose to partner with companies that are aligned to our vision of driving innovation and providing good customer service. Essentially we pick partners who can add value to us and the end-customer alike.
In addition, these are companies that have good distribution networks and a sound reputation in the market. At the same time we are open to suggestions. We are keen to remain a relatively small, nimble company geared towards innovative satellite solutions. We have a significant partnership with Emerging Markets Communications, Inc. (EMC), operator of one of the largest teleports facilities in the world. Under the terms of the contract EMC will lease transponders on Yahsats powerful C Band on a long-term basis to serve high profile clients including the United Nations.
Our partner SES-Astra is an acknowledged leader in HDTV and will help us fast-track the process of creating a TV hotspot in this region. As a new operator, we did not have the burden of legacy. We started from scratch and did our homework by speaking to potential clients about what they are looking for in a satellite provider. Yahsat is not just about making money but adding value to society and fulfilling the larger Abu Dhabi 2030 vision. Personally it has been hugely rewarding giving back to society and training our young engineers, among other initiatives.
About Yahsat:
Al Yah Satellite Communications Company PrJSC (Yahsat), established in 2007, is a private joint stock company fully owned by Mubadala, an investment arm of the Government of Abu Dhabi. The services include:
YahClick- the satellite broadband service
YahSecure- the government satellite service
YahLink- the satellite connectivity service
YahLive direct-to-home and high definition TV
YahService integrated satellite communication solutions
Yahsat partnered with Arianespace for the launch of Yahsats first satellite Y1A in the first quarter of 2011, which is positioned at 52.5° East. Yahsats second satellite, Y1B, will be launched in the second half of 2011 by International Launch Services (ILS) on a Proton Breeze M vehicle. The satellites will have a lifespan of 15 years and 10.9kW of power.
