Es’hailSat, the Qatar Satellite Company, has 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.
Es’hail-2, designed with Ka-band spot beams and Ku-band wide beams, joins Es’hail-1 at 25.5⁰E / 26.0°E MENA broadcast hotspot and will augment the capacity already available at the hotspot to support premium services in the region. 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. The satellite will also enable telecommunication companies and ISPs to provide reliable and secure telecommunications and broadband services.
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, and I thank the diligent and hardworking teams at Es’hailSat and MELCO, for this success.”
Built by Mitsubishi Electric Company (MELCO) and launched by SpaceX 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 25.5⁰E / 26.0°E broadcast neighborhood, 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. 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.
