Mena dynamic market for satellite companies

The Middle East and Africa markets have been positioned as two of the world's most dynamic regions for broadcast and broadband communications by a recent study by Eutelsat.

The study highlights the room for massive growth for companies operating in the satellite technology segment to provide applications such as backbone connectivity and VoIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol), according to Dubai World Trade Centre, the organiser of Satellite Mena, the largest exhibition for the satellite industry in the Middle East.

Backed by the growing popularity of ethnic programming in the region, the study forecasts strong demand for satellite transponders in broadcasting applications is expected in the coming years.

Cable and TV broadcasting, consumer broadband internet services, wireless telephone, data services, and direct radio are other service that will be in demand across the regions, it stated.

Convergence remains a key driver for the growth of the satellite industry, as integration of information and communication technology is increasingly being demanded by government and businesses across all sectors to remain competitive in a global market.

"Satellite technology is quickly defining how individuals and organisations across the region receive and transfer data and 2010 looks to be a defining year for the satellite industry," the statement quoted Helal Saeed Almarri, CEO, Dubai World Trade Centre, as saying.

"Satellite Mena is designed to help service providers showcase their technology to a targeted audience. Companies vying for market supremacy in a rapidly growing industry will again appreciate a dedicated platform to network and explore business opportunities," added Almarri. The Middle East remains one of the fastest growing ICT markets in the world. This growth is further fuelled by state-of-the-art technology provided by the likes of Arab Satellite Communications (Arabsat).

"Satellite Mena is the benchmark exhibition in the region for us to demonstrate our product and service portfolio," said Khalid bin Ahmed Balkheyour, President and CEO of Arabsat. "Today we are one of the world's top satellite operators, and by far the leading satellite services provider in the Arab World, carrying 350+ TV channels and 160+ Radio stations, reaching tens of millions of homes in more than 100 countries across the Middle East, Africa and Europe, including an audience of more than 164 million viewers within the 21 Arab countries alone," added Balkheyour.

Having recently launched Dubai-sat 1 to orbit, the UAE is one of the leading countries in the Middle East when it comes to satellite technology. The growth of the country is largely fuelled by the modernisation and transformation of the communication sector, and Yahsat has played an integral role in facilitating this growth.

"Yahsat is uniquely positioned as the first fixed satellite operator from the UAE, tuned into the needs of the region. With a wide portfolio of voice, data, video, and internet connectivity solutions, Yahsat satellites are designed based on market requirements and future applications," commented Jassem Al Zaabi, CEO of Yahsat.

"Yahsat participated in Cabsat & Satellite Mena 2009. Our presence in the 2010 event reiterates that we consider Cabsat and Satellite Mena a strategic platform to meet business partners seeking complete range of satellite services, appoint service partners, forge business ties, strengthen and further relationships in the satellite market," said Jassem Al Zaabi.

Satellite Mena, which is held alongside Cabsat Mena, has become the industry networking platform to explore business opportunities, formulate strategies and create partnerships for video, voice, data and IP communications over satellite.

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