Business | Telecoms
Thuraya to bolster global position
Thuraya Satellite Communications Company is planning to bolster its position in the world market, chief executive Yousif Al Sayyed said.
- WAM
- Published: 00:02 March 9, 2008
Abu Dhabi: Thuraya Satellite Communications Company is planning to bolster its position in the world market, chief executive Yousif Al Sayyed said.
"Despite difficulties over launching its third satellite in mid-2006, the company managed to reap good revenues due to various services launched in the market," he said.
But he added that "the delay in launching the third satellite effectively affected general performance".
Yet Thuraya is flexingits muscles after launching its third satellite at a cost of $330 million in January.
It is heading towards an experimental period and providing services to East Asia - a promising commercial region with a population of over two billion people.
Al Sayyed reiterated that the Thuraya satellite mobile phone was the most usable and dynamic worldwide, indicating that with catering services for the East Asian region this month, the new satellite will broaden base of potential customers.
"Thuraya customers now number 220,000 to 250,000. After launching the third satellite, they will increase by more than 30,000 and another 60,000 next year," Al Sayyed said.
International and civil organisations that operate in crisis zones always seek Thuraya satellite phones as they cannot get normal telephone communications, he added.
Al Sayyed noted that the agreement the company signed with China and Australia on distributors of services in the two countries will have a positive effect in the financial performance of the company.
The UAE-based company is one of the leading satellite communications companies. It provides satellite mobile phone services to over 170 countries.
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