Al Yah Satellite Communications, Hughes Network Systems expand Ka-band to 18 African countries

UAE-based Al Yah Satellite Communications Company (Yahsat) and Hughes Network Systems announced at AfricaCom that Hughes has a major contract to deliver its Jupiter System and related network operations services in support of Yahsat's planned expansion across Africa in early 2017, with the launch of its new Ka-band satellite, Al Yah 3. This will extend the company's commercial Ka-band coverage to 60% of Africa's population.

Yahsat provides multipurpose satellite solutions (government and commercial) for broadband, broadcast, government and communications use across the Middle East, Africa and Europe in addition to Central and South West Asia. Based in Abu Dhabi, UAE, and wholly owned by Mubadala Development Company, the investment vehicle of the Government of Abu Dhabi, Yahsat is the first company in the Middle East and Africa to offer multi-purpose Ka-band satellite services.