Yahsat, the United Arab Emirates-based satellite operator in Abu Dhabi, has launched its YahClick “broadband everyone” satellite service in five key markets.
YahClick’s business model is, according to a company spokesman, one where the operations behind the service are managed on a central basis with advanced teleport equipment maximising the performance of the service regardless of in-market outages or infrastructure conditions
From August 2012, the YahClick service has been available in Iraq, Afghanistan, South Africa, Nigeria, and Angola where access to high performance broadband internet is currently limited. YahClick will reportedly be operational across most of its coverage area spanning a total of 28 markets, in South West Asia, Africa and the Middle East, including the GCC states, by October 2012.
“This is a key milestone for Yahsat and we support the expansion of the commercial phase of Yahsat’s satellite Y1B. This takes the offering of the Abu Dhabi-based satellite operation globally,” said Jassem Mohammed Al Zaabi, executive director of Mubadala ICT. “The development is in line with our own mission of economic progress for the Emirate to diversify and harness expertise in various industries.”
For the past two years, the YahClick team has reportedly been working with service partners to train them and ensure full YahClick operational readiness in their area.
Over the next few weeks, YahClick service partners will reportedly be announcing a range of high speed, flexible and cost effective packages, with broadband speeds as high as 15 Mbps, suited to provide the most underserved markets where internet connectivity is scarce, and even some of the better connected urban areas for backup solutions. Satellite broadband solutions provide a significantly more reliable service compared to some terrestrial internet services. With an uptime availability of 99.5%, the reliability of broadband satellite internet is the key differentiator between the two forms of internet connectivity systems.
YahClick’s business model is, according to a company spokesman, one where the operations behind the service are managed on a central basis with advanced teleport equipment maximising the performance of the service regardless of in-market outages or infrastructure conditions. Service Partners will manage the YahClick system centrally via an online operations system reportedly eliminating the need for in-country infrastructure, saving considerable costs that are passed on to the end customer. The network as a whole is managed from a central Network Operations Center in Abu Dhabi, fully backed up 24/7 in cooperation with Hughes Network Systems.
Yahsat CEO, Tareq Abdul Raheem Al Hosani explains: “The driving force behind the launch of YahClick is our vision and understanding of specific market needs and the desire to reach communities where there is a requirement to develop and deliver quality customised satellite broadband internet solutions. Working with service partners who are experts in their fields is an invaluable asset to the business.”
According to media reports released earlier this year, based on statistics by Internet World Stats, Africa has only 6.2% share of the world’s internet users despite being home to 15% of the world’s population, further highlighting, the company claims, the need for a service such as YahClick.
“The percentage of internet users in Africa is far below the levels shown in other regions. Improved broadband services in Africa will lead to a significant increase in the number of people within reach of internet services. Today, broadband services are a necessity, providing much needed access to information, education, government services, and opportunities to trade and prosper. Other markets where there is great potential are the fast developing consumer markets in the Middle East and South West Asia. We look forward to seeing our YahClick service making a strong impact on the economies of these regions,” added Tareq Abdul Raheem Al Hosani, Yahsat CEO.
According to the World Bank, a 10% increase in broadband penetration can deliver a 1.3% increase in a country’s GDP. This is especially important to the Middle East, Asia and Africa where Internet penetration is very low in comparison to North America, Australia and Europe. Through increased broadband penetration Yahsat believes communities will be empowered and equipped to drive their own economic success forward.
The YahClick service is designed to provide broadband satellite internet to everyone and is set to open new business opportunities and connectivity to a wide range of industries, NGOs, government, and education organisations throughout the country by providing reliable, high-bandwidth internet connectivity to urban, rural and remote communities.
YahClick is beamed through Yahsat’s Y1B Satellite, successfully launched in April 2012. Y1B is reportedly the first satellite in the region to offer internet connectivity through Ka-band multi-spot beams, with reusable frequencies to maximize spectrum efficiency. The multi-spot beam technology means higher power on the ground, which enables use of a smaller antenna size.
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