Europe to Build 1.36 Bln USD Satellite Communications System forUAE

Europe to build 1.36 bln USD satellite communications system for UAE

ABU DHABI, May 22 (Xinhua) — Al Yah Satellite Communications Company (Yahsat) of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has chosen a European consortium to build its satellite communications system worth 5 billion dirhams (1.36 billion U.S. dollars), local newspaper Khaleej Times reported on Tuesday.

The consortium selected as the preferred bidder to build the satellite system consists of EADS Astrium, Thales and Alenia Space, the report said.

As a strategic investment and development vehicle owned by the government of Abu Dhabi, Yahsat is mandated to fulfill the satellite communications requirements of government and commercial customers in the Middle East, Africa, Southern Europe and South East Asia.

The company will focus on providing solutions for Internet trunking via satellite, corporate data networks and backhauling services to telecom operators, in addition to broadcasting services.

“This is a tremendously exciting time to be in the satellite communications industry. We are seeing a boom in satellite demand and Yahsat is perfectly positioned to take advantage of the wealth of opportunities in our region,” Waleed Al Mokarrab Al Muhairi, Chairman of Yahsat, was quoted as saying.

The global commercial satellite industry generated over 80 billion dollars in revenue in 2005 alone, with the highest revenue growth being registered in the Middle East and Africa region, the report said.

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