Al Yah Satellite Communications Company PrJSC, “Yahsat”, has announced the successful launch of its second satellite Y1B. The launch took place at the Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan on April 24th, 2012, at 2:18 am Abu Dhabi time.
The Y1B weighs more than 6,000 kg and features a spacecraft power of 14kW and has a 15-year design lifetime. It is equipped with a commercial multi-beam Ka-band payload, which will be used to provide a variety of government and commercial applications, including “YahClick”, a new reliable and affordable satellite broadband service for the Middle East, Africa, and South West Asia.
Celebrating this great success, Tareq Abdul Raheem Al Hosani Yahsat CEO said “We are delighted to see this milestone in our business plan reached with the launch of Y1B. With the satellite in orbit, we are on track in our mission to connect communities around the region with reliable, affordable broadband services through our “YahClick” service. Communications is a vital factor for economic and social growth in today’s world and we are very excited to be bringing this pioneering vision into reality.”
Transmitted through the Y1B satellite the “YahClick” service will provide connectivity to remote and underserved areas across the region. Satellite connectivity has the advantage of providing high bandwidth and easily accessible broadband services to these markets, with minimal time required to set up communications.
Yahsat has established partnerships across 28 countries within the regional geography, selecting reputable communications companies that understand the needs and conditions of each local market.
The partners have been carefully selected to ensure that the “YahClick” service will be reliably and effectively marketed, installed and supported for customers. Yahsat is also working closely with key telecommunications providers to ensure comprehensive availability of the “YahClick” service to homes, schools and businesses throughout the region.