Es’hail-2 enters into commercial service

Es’hailSat, the Qatar Satellite Company, announced that its recently launched satellite — Es’hail-2 — entered commercial service to serve government, broadcast and telecommunications sectors in Middle East and North Africa (Mena). Es’hail-2, designed with Ka-band spot beams and Ku-band wide beams, joins Es’hail-1 at 25.5?E/26.0°E Mena broadcast hotspot and will augment the capacity already available at the hotspot to support premium services in the region, Es’hailSat has said in a statement.

Broadcasters and channel owners “can leverage on the reliability of the satellite to provide high-quality service and enhanced viewing experience to consumers, with high definition and ultra-high definition content”, according to Es’hailSat. The satellite will also enable telecommunication companies and ISPs (Internet service providers) to offer “reliable and secure” telecommunications and broadband services.

Built by Mitsubishi Electric Company (Melco) and launched by Space X aboard a Falcon 9 rocket, Es’hail-2 has a proven, modular platform with high power capability and flexibility for a broad range of applications. It will support the growth of the 25.5?E/26.0°E broadcast neighbourhood, and also features multi-transponder Ka-band payload with sophisticated anti-jamming capabilities — providing business and government sectors with secure communications across the Mena region, the statement explains.

In addition, it carries the first-ever payload on geostationary satellite to support amateur radio community across the visible earth from its orbital location. The spacecraft has a design life in excess of 16 years. Ali al-Kuwari, president and CEO of Es’hailSat, said: “I am extremely proud that Es’hail-2 has entered commercial service, supporting customers in Middle East and North Africa. I thank the diligent and hardworking teams at Es’hailSat and Melco for this success.”

Es’hailSat owns and operates satellites to serve broadcasters, businesses and governments. Es’hail-1, launched in 2013, provides television, telecommunication, corporate and government services across the Mena region and beyond. Es’hail-2 was launched in November 2018.

أعلنت الشركة القطرية للأقمار الصناعية «سهيل سات»، أمس، عن انطلاق عمليات الخدمة التجارية لقطاعات الحكومة والبث والاتصالات في منطقة الشرق الأوسط وشمال إفريقيا لقمرها الصناعي «سهيل 2»، الذي أطلق مؤخراً بنجاح.

وسيعمل «سهيل 2» على دعم البث عبر المدار 25.5 / 26 درجة شرقاً، كما سيوفر عدة سعات ضمن نطاق «KA» ذات التقنيات المتطورة والمضادة للتشويش.