The Sky is the limit

NEWS
Yahsat’s vision for regionwide
satellite connectivity
furthered by signing
of Eutelsat multi-year
capacity agreement
Yahsat and Eutelsat Communications have
signed a multi-year capacity agreement
giving Broadband for Africa, Eutelsat’s
African broadband venture, access to
high-performance commercial Ka-band
capacity for broadband services across
Sub-Saharan Africa. The move represents
a significant milestone for Yahsat as
the company actively seeks to further
industry collaboration to expand satellite
connectivity region-wide.
Masood M. Sharif Mahmood, CEO of
Yahsat said, “This agreement is important
to our overall vision of providing global
satellite connectivity solutions for unserved
and underserved communities. At Yahsat
we firmly believe that by partnering with
our industry peers, the satellite community
will be able to jointly help connect markets
that face infrastructure and connectivity
challenges. Our collaboration with
Broadband for Africa is a great example
of how partnerships can work for the
greater good of regional socio-economic
development.”
According to the terms of the agreement,
Broadband for Africa will use capacity on
up to 16 Ka-band spotbeams on the Yahsat
1B satellite to roll out broadband services
during the first half of 2017. Further
expansion will be supported later in the
year using capacity on 18 spotbeams on
Yahsat’s Al Yah 3 satellite, scheduled for
launch in early 2017.
Both Yahsat 1B and Al Yah 3 are equipped
with high powered spotbeams with
Sub-Saharan African coverage, ideal for
community and Direct-to-User Internet
access using affordable, off-the-shelf
customer premises equipment.
Laurent Grimaldi, Chief Executive Officer
of Broadband for Africa, said: “We are
delighted to initiate this relationship with
Yahsat and fully share their conviction in
the long-term role satellites will play in
wireless connectivity and in the need for
high-quality infrastructure to transform
Africa’s broadband landscape.”
In addition to Yahsat’s collaboration with
Eutelsat to drive connectivity across
Africa, the company also provides costeffective
satellite broadband services via
its YahClick satellite broadband internet
service .Currently the number one satellite
broadband service in Africa, subscribers
including government, businesses and
individuals are able to gain access to
uninterrupted, high-speed internet across
the continent.
Yahsat appoints Farhad Khan as CCO
Yahsat has appointed Farhad Khan as its
chief commercial officer (CCO). Farhad will
assume the position and will be responsible
for the overall customer operations,
marketing and sales management activities
of Yahsat
Commenting on the executive appointment
Masood M. Sharif Mahmood, chief executive
officer said: “After careful selection, we are
pleased to have found the best individual for
the job. Farhad has a proven record in the
telecommunications industry combined with
strong leadership skills and deep industry
knowledge. I wish Farhad every success in
his new role and have full confidence that
with his leadership we will continue our
growth trajectory.”
Farhad Khan, newly appointed chief
commercial officer, Yahsat said: “I am
delighted to be joining Yahsat at such an
exciting time. Yahsat’s achievements in
less than five years of operations, with the
launch of two satellites and serving many
communities across the Middle East, Africa,
Central and South West Asia, has been
nothing short of remarkable. During this
next critical growth phase I will concentrate
on establishing new partnerships, work on
the launch of Yahsat’s third satellite Al Yah
3 and drive the business as we enter more
than 20 additional markets.”
November 2016
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