In an exclusive interview with Telecom Review at LEAP 2024, Mohammed Al Sayed, Executive Director of Sales at Es’hailSat, delved into the company's vision to become a world-class satellite operator and service provider, while also bringing new dimensions to the market and fostering economic diversification.
Could you provide an overview of Es’hailSat's mission and objectives in the satellite communications industry, particularly in the MENA region?
Our vision is to become a world-class service provider while continuing to contribute to Qatar’s National Vision 2030 by providing advanced satellite services to strategic stakeholders and customers. We aim to deliver end-to-end solutions for our clients while giving them the convenience of a single trusted provider. Our mission is to deliver high-quality and advanced satellite services to all strategic stakeholders, and our commercial customers across various sectors including broadcasting, telecom, and government entities. Our goal is to offer comprehensive solutions through a single reliable and robust interface, ensuring our customers have a seamless experience.
How does Es’hailSat's services, facilitated by Es’hail-1 and Es’hail-2 satellites, differentiate itself from other satellite communication providers in the market?
We currently operate two satellites— Es’hail-1 and Es’hail-2— which effectively cover the MENA region due to their strategic positioning at 25.5 / 26 East hotspot. Additionally, we have recently expanded our infrastructure by establishing a 50,000 sqm Teleport facility that houses many hubs, for a wide variety of customers. These hubs offer a range of services, including VSAT connectivity, disaster recovery backups, and broadcast services including studio space, all connected via our satellite network as well as dual redundant terrestrial fiber. Furthermore, our satellite's strategic location enhances its capability to serve as a central hub for content delivery, bridging the gap between Europe, Middle East and Africa. Moreover, our state-of-the-art teleport further boosts broadcasting, broadband delivery, and global connectivity, augmenting our capacity to serve a diverse array of communication needs efficiently and effectively.
Can you discuss some notable success stories or case studies where Es’hailSat's services have made a significant impact on businesses, institutions, or governments within the MENA region?
In 2023, we witnessed significant milestones and enhancements within our company and added more than 20 new TV channels to our satellites thus building on our 25.5 / 26 East video hotspot. Notably, we were honored to receive the Satellite Service Provider of the Year award. Furthermore, we introduced new services, including Es'hailSat Playout and Media services. Our satellite fleet, comprising Es'hail-1 and Es'hail-2, are some of the few co-located satellites in this part of the world tailored for the growing demand of the MENA region. These satellites offer Ku-band broadcasting in HD and Ultra HD, as well as Ka-band services for contribution, SNG, backhaul trunking, and corporate needs.
What are some of the challenges or obstacles that Es’hailSat faces in providing satellite communication services in the MENA region, and how does the company address them?
There are several issues we face, but we have effective solutions in place to overcome these challenges. For instance, regional integration is challenged by high levels of piracy. Es’hailSat addresses this by leveraging our capabilities to swiftly pinpoint and address piracy incidents and actively supporting the MENA Anti Piracy Coalition. Additionally, as we identify further gaps, we're augmenting our existing satellite services to meet ambitious targets. This involves adding new services that can benefit from our satellite infrastructure, ensuring comprehensive coverage. End-to-end service provision in the region presents another challenge, which we're tackling by expanding our team of satellite engineers to provide installation and maintenance services.
Moreover, we're extending these services through partners all across the Middle East to meet growing demand and facilitate expansion efforts. Furthermore, we're committed to delivering added value services beyond satellite connectivity. To achieve this, we're collaborating closely with multiple service providers as well as solution partners, enhancing our service portfolio with offerings that provide tangible benefits to our customers. Through proactive measures and strategic partnerships, we're addressing challenges and advancing our mission to deliver exceptional services.
