Es’hail 1 satellite CATR testing. The partnership with Arabsat will allow Es’hailSat to increase its capacity at the 26 degrees east hot spot neighborhood for TV broadcasting.
Image credit: SSL

[Via Satellite 08-19-13] Qatar-based Es’hailSat and Arabsat have signed a strategic partnership agreement to promote closer cooperation and strengthen the reach and penetration of the 26 degrees east hot spot neighborhood for TV broadcasting. Under the agreement, Es’hailSat will acquire the rights to 500MHz of premium Ku-band bandwidth at this orbital position. The company’s second satellite, Es’hail 2, will use these frequencies and to provide DTH and other telecommunications services from this hot spot.

The partnership will significantly increase Es’hailSat’s capacity at the 25.5 / 26.0 east TV broadcasting hot spot, and will strengthen the company’s in-orbit back-up capability when both Es’hail 1 and Es’hail 2 are operational. Furthermore, the agreement will pave the way for enhanced operational flexibility and mutual in-orbit back-up between the Es’hailSat and Arabsat satellite fleets.

“With our first satellite – Es’hail 1 – scheduled for launch on 29th August 2013 and our plans for Es’hail 2 now confirmed, we are moving closer to providing the necessary capacity to enable our customers to substantially increase their communications capability, particularly in broadcasting in HD and 3D,” said Es’hailSat CEO, Ali Ahmed Al Kuwari.

“This partnership will provide our customers and viewers with more alternatives and variety of contents that will be beneficial for both operators and will make 26 degrees east the premium hot spot of the region,” Khalid Balkheyour, Arabsat’s president and CEO said.