Thuraya Satellite Expands in Africa

ABU DHABI -- Thuraya Satellite Telecommunications Company has announced that it has expanded its satellite telecommunications southward in Africa, thereby providing blanket coverage to Kenya, Uganda, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gabon, Rwanda, Burundi, Angola, Zambia, Malawi, Mozambique, the Seychelles, Zimbabwe, and Tanzania.

The expanded service, which is now commercially operational, augments the African footprint, bringing the total number of countries under the new Thuraya footprint to more than 110 countries, spanning Europe, North, Central Africa and large parts Southern Africa, the Middle East, Central and South Asia, and from end of this year, will further grow to cover the Far East as well. The expansion was made possible through the successful launch of Thuraya’s second satellite into orbit in June of last year, which was followed by a smooth transfer of traffic from the Thuraya 1 to the modified Thuraya 2 satellite. The new satellite beams over Africa are technically operational just as Thuraya’s service providers are preparing for a full roll out of commercial service.

The decision to extend the African footprint deep into Southern Africa comes as part of Thuraya’s commitment to providing coverage to 90 percent of the continent.

Speaking on the occasion, Thuraya’s Chairman Mr. Mohammad Omran said: “Thuraya is pleased to be responding to a strong demand that had long been communicated to us by these markets. With our expanded satellite capacity we are able to accommodate the need for satellite telecommunications in all the remote areas that have limited coverage, and to complement urban areas where landline services are fragmented.”

Mr. Omran explained that the expansion would also facilitate the roll out of Thuraya’s rural telephony solutions, towards serving the international principles of Universal Access to all.

“We are working with our African partners to make Thuraya’s products and services available to all areas that need them, and we are especially confident that our Public Calling Office product will fill a vital need in scattered villages and corporate outposts.

“Our coverage area in southern Africa represents an important market for Thuraya. We have developed a good understanding of the African market, and are keen to demonstrate to our valued African customers that our products are highly reliable, offer dynamic customization possibilities, and are competitive in price.”

Last October, Thuraya announced its imminent expansion into East and South East Asia by the end of this year, in response to high demand and growth opportunities in these new market segments.

The expanded Far East footprint includes Brunei, Cambodia, China, East Timor, Indonesia, Japan, Lao, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, the Koreas, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam and Singapore as well as large area of Eastern Russian Federation.

Thuraya Satellite Telecommunications Co.