THIRD YAHSAT SATELLITE TO EXTEND YAHCLICK TO AFRICA

UAE-based satellite operator Yahsat has announced plans to launch its third satellite extending its commercial Ka-band coverage to an additional 17 countries and 600 million users, expanding on Yahsat’s current coverage area across the Middle East, Africa and South West and Central Asia.

Scheduled for launch in 2016, Al Yah 3 strengthens Yahsat’s position as the world’s eighth largest operator in terms of revenue and as a leader in innovative satellite solutions.

Through the delivery of affordable broadband via satellite, YahClick supports social and economic development across the continent, connecting previously unserved or underserved communities to the Internet. Al Yah 3 will use advanced technology with a unique design that optimizes cost, capacity, coverage and flexibility to deliver affordable broadband to homes and business across Africa. The service will make internet available to users directly via a small satellite dish or indirectly via internet service providers. It will be available in 17 countries across north and sub-Saharan Africa, adding to YahClick’s current presence in Angola, Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, and South Sudan.

Masood M. Sharif Mahmood, Yahsat Chief Executive Officer, said: “Al Yah 3 marks another milestone for Yahsat, expanding our footprint to new markets, enhancing existing markets and reinforcing our vision to be the global partner of choice for reliable, innovative and affordable satellite solutions. The success of both Y1A and Y1B in providing government, NGO, consumer and corporate services has given us the drive to explore new growth avenues.

“We are confident in our ability to serve the world’s unconnected and under-connected and Al Yah 3 expands our reach in to new African markets, as well as providing a footprint across Brazil, our first entry into South America.”

“Our goal is to provide affordable and reliable broadband services via satellite  to give people at home or at work, in urban and rural environments, the necessary platform to access and share information, ultimately enhancing lives and stimulating social and economic benefits,” explained Masood.

“The opportunity for Yahsat to evolve in other markets is significant, with a potential customer base of several hundred thousand users on Al Yah 3, Africa and Brazil are attractive opportunities for our growing operation, and we look forward to entering the market there in the near future.”