Turksat Transport, Maritime and Communication Minister Ahmet Arslan presenting a model satellite as a gift to Inmarsat CEO Rupert Pearce. Photo: Inmarsat

[Via Satellite 09-30-2016] Inmarsat announced a strategic partnership with Turkish state-owned regional satellite operator Turksat. The companies signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in March to explore the opportunities available through the formation of a strategic partnership, initially focused on defense, public safety and aviation.

Inmarsat and Turksat will collaborate to bring cutting-edge, high value-added, space-based communications capabilities to Turkish government, enterprise and consumer users, according to Inmarsat CEO Rupert Pearce.

“We are not aiming at only business relations with Inmarsat. One of our targets is technology transfer to our country. In this sense, Inmarsat’s fourth land station for satellite services will be established in Turkey,” said Turksat CEO Cenk Sen. “We also have been working on providing broadband Internet services on airplanes with Inmarsat capabilities. This partnership will assist the qualified internet services for passengers of Turkish Airlines.”

Turkish Minister of Transport Maritime Affairs and Communications Ahmet Arslan added that with the strategic partnership between both companies, some high-value added Inmarsat equipment would be produced in Turkey by one or more Turkish firms.