Middle East mobile satellite giant seeks bite in Asia-Pacific market

Thuraya Satellite Telecommunications Co., one of the leading Middle East mobile satellite operators, plans to expand its reach to the Asia-Pacific market, a company CEO said in Hong KongTuesday.

Yousuf Al Sayed, chief executive officer of Thuraya, told a press conference on the sidelines of the ongoing Telecom World 2006 show that the company will launch its third service satellite by the end of March in 2007, adding Asia-Pacific into the coverage.

"We expect to be able to roll out commercial service to new subscribers in East Asia within months from the launch date," said the CEO.

He said Thuraya has been working with the concerned authorities and service providers in a number of countries in the Asia-Pacific region on licensing, regulatory and technical aspects.

Thuraya has opened a regional office in Singapore in the recent past to help boost cooperation with the Asia-Pacific region, said the manager.

Thuraya, based in Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates, has a share of some 26 percent in the global mobile satellite market.

The company, which was founded in 1997, provides mobile satellite services for over 110 nations and regions across the Middle East, Europe, Africa and Asia.

It participated in the Telecom World 2006 show launched by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) in an effort to enhance the cooperation with potential partners and customs.

Industry and government leaders are gathering here at the ITU Telecom World 2006 from Dec. 4 to 8 to discuss the technologies of the future that enable the digital world to thrive.

Source: Xinhua