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British satellite communications company Inmarsat and Turkey’s satellite operator Türksat have signed a partnership agreement to collaborate on satellite services, maritime communications, and in the defence and aerospace sectors, according to Turkish media outlets.
Speaking to reporters in Ankara on 27 September 2016, the Turkish Transport, Maritime Affairs, and Communications minister, Ahmet Arslan, said Inmarsat’s worldwide satellite communication services are well-known.
“With the strategic partnership between Türksat and Inmarsat, some high-value added Inmarsat equipment would be produced in Turkey by one or more Turkish firms. It is an important opportunity,” said Mr. Arslan.
“This agreement is very significant and will be an example to our region. This strategic partnership will provide Turkey with collaboration opportunities in that specific area. It is just the start,” he added.
“Türksat was founded in 2004…Today, it works as a cable operator and solution center for the public besides its satellite operator role,” Arslan said.
Rupert Pearce, Chief Executive Officer at Inmarsat, said the strategic partnership with Türksat offered tremendous potential for both Inmarsat and Türksat, their joint business and technology ecosystem in Turkey and the wider Turkish economy.
“Türksat is among the ‘thought leaders’ in our industry, and we believe that, together, Inmarsat and Türksat will be very well-placed to collaborate to bring cutting edge, high-value added, space-based communications capabilities to Turkish government, enterprise and consumer users in the years ahead, making a vital contribution to the development of a pervasive digital society in Turkey,” Mr. Pearce said.
“We are confident that, in partnership with Türksat, we can powerfully support the development of a hi-tech, high skill and satellite services sector in Turkey,” he added.
Cenk Şen, chief executive officer of Türksat, said Turkey already has four satellites in orbit and that three more projects are underway to boost the country’s satellite communications capability.
“We are not aiming at only business relations with Inmarsat. One of our targets is technology transfer to our country. In this sense, Inmarsat’s fourth land station for satellite services will be established in Turkey,” Mr. Şen said.
Original published at: http://spacewatchme.com/2016/09/turksat-inmarsat-join-forces-satcom-technology-transfer/
