Broadband/Connectivity/Telcos News Satellite

Arabsat strikes deal with Universal Satcom to bring connectivity to Yemen

The service is currently operational as a VNO solution using ARABSAT’s Broadband and Managed Services on the Yemen Ka-band spot beam and associated terrestrial infrastructure.
Wael Butti, CCO of Arabsat and Reema Al Omari, CEO of Universal Satcom.

UAE-based satellite solutions provider Universal Satcom has signed a deal with satellite operator Arabsat to offer high-speed connectivity services in Yemen. On September 1, 2019, the Dubai-based company launched the latest high-speed satellite broadband Internet service under the brand “Universal Satnet”. The service is currently operational as a VNO solution using Arabsat’s Broadband and Managed Services on the Yemen Ka-band spot beam and associated terrestrial infrastructure. Universal Satcom has plans to roll out Broadband and services in other markets covered by the Badr 7 satellite footprint.

The Ka-band payload on Badr 7 High Throughput Satellite (HTS) along with the terrestrial infrastructure allows for the delivery of high-speed internet access with speeds as high as 100 Mbps on download and 20 Mbps on upload using very small size Customer Premises Equipment (CPE). The service is powered by cutting-edge Newtec Dialog platform and associated technologies and providing Internet backbone connectivity through European Teleports.

Badr 7 Satellite is a High Throughput Satellite (HTS) with 24 Ka-band spot beams over the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa. Badr 7 was manufactured by Airbus Defence & Space with Thales Alenia Space and launched by Ariane Space from French Guiana using the Ariane 5 rocket and finally placed in the orbital hotspot of 26° East.

Speaking about the collaboration, Arabsat’s Chief Commercial Officer Wael Butti, said: “This is our first contract with Universal Satcom where we are offering bundled services. I hope this will expand in the future and we will do more business with Universal Satcom.”

Reema Al Omari, CEO, Universal Satcom, added: “We would like to thank Arabsat for their trust in our company, and for giving us the chance to be the first customer of Badr 7.”

Operating a growing fleet of owned satellites at the orbital locations of 20°E, 26°E, 30.5°E and 39°E, Arabsat is reportedly the only satellite operator in the MENA region offering the full spectrum of broadcast, telecommunications and broadband services.

Universal Satcom has established special distribution agreements with major satcom providers and established strategic partnerships with operators of satellite earth stations over the world. These collaborations allow Universal Satcom to offer a wide range of bespoke telecommunications solutions, exclusive services and excellent value for money; while provisioning equipment, services, applications and value-added solutions for all satellite networks, for clients from O&G exploration and production (land and sea), aviation, government, survey, geosciences, drilling and sub-marine cabling. Universal Satcom has a global network of maritime installers in key locations.