Manama: Qatar is set to launch its first satellite at the end of 2012 to provide superior coverage across the Middle East, North Africa and Central Asia.
The $300 million (Dh1.1 billion) deal to launch and operate the satellite, named Eshail, was signed in Doha by Qatar's Supreme Council of Information and Communication Technology (ictQatar) and Eutelsat Communications of France.
Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Shaikh Hamad Bin Jasem Bin Jabr Al Thani, who was present at the signing ceremony, said that Qatar's share of the deal was more than 50 per cent.
"The Eshail satellite is unique because it adopts a technical three-dimensional television station that will all also cover radio stations, so that anyone can listen to radio stations in any place covered by the satellite as well as the internet and all that is related to technology Eshail will cover," Shaikh Hamad said.
"The project is a Qatari investment that has two dimensions, the first is fin-ancial investment and the second is media in view of the possession by Qatar of a lot of stations and satellite channels and we want, as we have participated in the ground, to participate in space in some matters of concern to Qatar policy," he said.
Rocket
The satellite, to be launched by an Ariane rocket, will secure Ku-band continuity for Eutelsat and additional Ku-band resources for ictQatar and will provide Ka-band capability, opening business opportunities for both parties, the two companies said.
This multi-mission architecture will enable both partners to respond to the fastest-growing applications in the Middle East and Africa, including video broadcasting, enterprise communications and government services.
The television market will benefit from the installed base of more than 13 million satellite homes already equipped for Direct-to-Home reception in the region.
Dr Hessa Al Jaber, ictQatar Secretary General, who signed the agreement on behalf of Qatar, said the deal was important for ictQatar and would secure its strategic interests in communications capabilities in terms of broadcasting, communications, government services and any other future services for the local market.
Branson appearance
Richard Branson, founder of the Virgin Group of companies, will this week launch in Doha a Qatar-based telecommunications sector venture, a Qatari daily reported yesterday.
"Branson will on Thursday host regional and international media for a press event at the Museum of Islamic Art (MIA) in Doha to discuss the new initiative which will be based in Qatar," a spokesperson for Virgin said, quoted by Gulf Times. The entrepreneur will also make a public appearance at the Virgin Megastore at Villaggio Mall on the same day.
Virgin's founder will speak with Doha-based university students and business leaders about the challenges and rewards of an entrepreneurial career. Branson, who will turn 60 in July, has achieved international fame as an entrepreneur, daredevil and philanthropist. Now with around 200 companies in over 30 countries, his Virgin Group has expanded into areas like leisure, travel, mobile, TV, radio, finance, health and Virgin Galactic.
