Archive for February, 2010
Feb 28, 2010, post by Satellite PR
The Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) awarded Al Yah Satellite Communications Company (Yahsat) a ten-year satellite services license for the installation, operation and management of a public telecommunications network and provision of satellite telecommunications services in the UAE. Under this license, Yahsat will offer a wide portfolio of voice, data, video and internet connectivity solutions designed to accommodate the demand for emerging applications in the satellite industry like HDTV and other broadband satellite services for both commercial and government for the Middle East, Africa, Europe and South-West Asia. The license comes under the Federal Law Decree No (3) for the year 2003 and its amendments.
The agreement was signed during a press conference by HE Mohammed Nasser Al Ghanim, Director General of TRA, and HE Waleed Al Muhairi, Chairman of Yahsat. The press conference was attended by executives and directors of departments from both sides and by local media.
Commenting on the licensing, Al Ghanim said “licensing Yahsat comes as confirmation of the role of TRA in driving the telecommunications market in the country to compete globally, through this license Yahsat will provide the region’s first multi-purpose satellite telecommunications system”. He added that “TRA’s strategy is aimed at supporting governmental entities and corporations alike in delivering their services and products by facilitating the registration process. The licensing of Yahsat for the installation, operation and management of a public telecommunications network and provision of telecommunications services that we issue today to Yahsat is a testimony of our support for the ICT sector”.
Al-Ghanim added: “The Authority’s regulatory framework for licensing contains two categories of licenses, individual licenses and class licenses, based on international best practices in the field”. This is the first individual license of this nature that the TRA has issued.
Furthermore, Al Ghanim noted that the TRA’s organizational objectives are derived from the UAE Telecommunications Law, its Executive Order and the UAE National Telecommunications Policy. These objectives may be summarized as: ensuring adequacy of telecommunications services throughout the UAE; achieving enhancement of services, both in terms of quality and variety; ensuring quality of service and adherence to terms of licenses by licensees; encouraging telecommunications and IT services within the UAE; promoting and enhancing the telecommunications sector within the UAE; promoting and developing the telecommunications sector in the UAE by training, development and the establishment of relevant training institutions; resolving any disputes between the licensed operators; establishing and implementing a regulatory and policy framework; promoting new technologies; and ensuring that the UAE becomes the regional ICT hub.
“We are honored and would like to thank the Telecom Regulatory Authority of UAE for their confidence in Yahsat. It is an important day for Yahsat and a great opportunity for a satellite company with firm roots in the UAE to address the satellite communications requirements of not only the nation but the region as well. We look to our continued cooperation with the TRA,” said Jassem Al Zaabi, Chief Executive Officer, Al Yah Satellite Communications Company PrJsc (Yahsat).
Feb 28, 2010, post by Artur Ślesik
Banking on the expertise of Filipino engineers, Asia Broadcast Satellite (ABS) is establishing its Mabuhay Satellite Corporation (MSC) Subic Space Center as the hub of its regional operations to control a handful of satellites serving clients in Asia, Russia, Africa and the Atlantic Ocean.
Over the next couple of years, ABS will sink in USD$800 million in the 5 satellites — Agila 1 and 2, ABS1, 1a, 2 and 6 -to be controlled by its Filipino staff from Subic. The company also plans to list in the 3 big international bourses. Initially, the company will invest $205 million in MSC, which it has acquired for an undisclosed price, and then $300 million to build a second satellite, ABS2.
MSC was the first Philippine entity to own and operate a communication satellite. Its Agila 2 satellite, launched in 1997, is good for another half decade. It covers Asia, from India to the Philippines, Japan to Indonesia and connectivity to the U.S.A from its spot beam over Hawaii. Its transponders provide capacity for TV distribution, DTH and VSAT services in the Philippines, Coastal China, Taiwan and Hong Kong.
Indeed, “The acquisition will ensure the future continuity of MSC’s Subic Space Center and ensure its expansion to support ABS’ growing satellite operation needs,” acknowledged MSC CEO Gabriel Z. Pimentel.
ABS currently hosts over 90 channels on its ABS-1 satellite, making it one of the fastest growing and top satellite distribution platforms for cable TV in the Indian Ocean region. Its ABS2, slated to be operational in 2012 and operated from Subic, will be one of the largest FSS satellites to be launched over the Eastern hemisphere. Together with ABS1, it will be the most powerful orbital position in the Asia Pacific and Indian Ocean region.
Feb 27, 2010, post by awatrobski
Shaper’s ability and vision to capitalize on emerging opportunities in the satellite marketplace made him the most deserving candidate for the prestigious award. The award presentation luncheon will be held on March 17, at the SATELLITE 2010 Conference and Exhibition.
Shaper joined the company in 2002 and since then, he has developed CapRock’s business portfolio dramatically. Under his direction, CapRock posted revenues of $358 million in 2009, up more than 20 percent from the prior year.
Owing to his business acumen CapRock’s business has also expanded globally, entering and providing service in 35 new countries in 2009. As a result, nearly 70 percent of CapRock’s revenues today is derived from client operations outside of the United States.
“Peter Shaper led his company’s communications solutions to meet the needs of the government as well as oil and gas market, two areas that provided growth in a period of overall economic difficulty,” Jason Bates, editor of Via Satellite informed. “His vision and leadership are commendable and we are proud to recognize him as the 2009 Satellite Executive of the Year.”
In December 2008, the company received an award for the world’s largest VSAT deal in energy market history and in 2009; Shaper, by receiving an award for the Satellite Executive of the Year, has brought to CapRock and himself an opportunity to celebrate.
He guided the company’s government division through a successful rebrand and repositioning which launched at SATELLITE 2009. He also played a key role in CapRock’s second annual Customer Advisory Board that led to successful investments in X-band infrastructure and the launch of new products and services including a first to market subscription-based service – CommandAccess, and a Crew Infotainment solution.
“This award represents the commitment of our employees that focus day in and day out on providing reliable service that our clients can count on,” Shaper informed. “We are also fortunate to have dedicated customers and partners that helped us reach unprecedented milestones in 2009. We are excited about the dynamic future of the satellite industry and look forward to reaching even greater heights.”
In related news, CapRock Government Solutions receives a contract from the U.S. Navy’s Naval Beach Group to deliver emergency satellite communications services as part of U.S. military relief efforts in Haiti.
