Abu Dhabi-based Yahsat yesterday said that its Al Yah 3 satellite is on track for delivery late next year after completing a review that takes it closer to expanding broadband operations in Brazil and Africa.
The critical design review is the final stage before the satellite’s components are assembled. The services will be rolled out in early 2017, marking its entry into the South American nation and expanding its coverage to more countries in Africa.
“Our third satellite will fuel growth in our business and significantly expand our coverage area to be a truly global company,” said Masood Sharif Mahmood, the chief executive at Yahsat.
Once the new satellite is operational, Yahsat will offer satellite broadband services to Brazilian and African consumers, enterprise markets, internet service providers (ISPs) and telecoms operators.
Yahsat, a subsidiary of Mubadala Development, foresees a boost in demand for its services in places of turbulence, and when traditional operators fail to serve customers amid political upheaval and a shortage of energy supplies.
Iraq and Yemen are two markets that recently experienced an uplift in demand for Yahsat services. The company’s traditional growth markets are Nigeria, Angola and South Africa, where reliable infrastructure can be a challenge.
Yahsat said in April that its YahClick satellite broadband service was available across 12 markets – seven of which are in Sub-Saharan Africa – across a total footprint of 28 countries.
Last week, Yahsat tied up with the Texas-based mobile technology developer Sevis Systems to offer mobile connectivity to underserved areas in the Middle East, Africa and central and south-west Asia.
selgazzar@thenational.ae
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PFA Team of the Year: David de Gea, Kyle Walker, Jan Vertonghen, Nicolas Otamendi, Marcos Alonso, David Silva, Kevin De Bruyne, Christian Eriksen, Harry Kane, Mohamed Salah, Sergio Aguero
hall of shame
SUNDERLAND 2002-03
No one has ended a Premier League season quite like Sunderland. They lost each of their final 15 games, taking no points after January. They ended up with 19 in total, sacking managers Peter Reid and Howard Wilkinson and losing 3-1 to Charlton when they scored three own goals in eight minutes.
SUNDERLAND 2005-06
Until Derby came along, Sunderland’s total of 15 points was the Premier League’s record low. They made it until May and their final home game before winning at the Stadium of Light while they lost a joint record 29 of their 38 league games.
HUDDERSFIELD 2018-19
Joined Derby as the only team to be relegated in March. No striker scored until January, while only two players got more assists than goalkeeper Jonas Lossl. The mid-season appointment Jan Siewert was to end his time as Huddersfield manager with a 5.3 per cent win rate.
ASTON VILLA 2015-16
Perhaps the most inexplicably bad season, considering they signed Idrissa Gueye and Adama Traore and still only got 17 points. Villa won their first league game, but none of the next 19. They ended an abominable campaign by taking one point from the last 39 available.
FULHAM 2018-19
Terrible in different ways. Fulham’s total of 26 points is not among the lowest ever but they contrived to get relegated after spending over £100 million (Dh457m) in the transfer market. Much of it went on defenders but they only kept two clean sheets in their first 33 games.
LA LIGA: Sporting Gijon, 13 points in 1997-98.
BUNDESLIGA: Tasmania Berlin, 10 points in 1965-66
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