SES and Es’Hailsat Sign Consultancy Agreement

SES and Es’Hailsat Sign Consultancy Agreement
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Luxemburg & Doha, Qatar - 27 October 2014 - SES TechCom, a wholly-owned subsidiary of SES S.A. (NYSE Euronext Paris and Luxembourg Stock Exchange: SESG) and Es'hailSat, The Qatar Satellite Company registered in the State of Qatar, announce the signing of a comprehensive consultancy service agreement.

The agreement provides Es'hailSat full access to the technical experience and engineering know-how of SES, one of the market leaders in satellite communications.

In the framework of the contract, SES TechCom will support Es'hailSat in the development of its new teleport facility. The teleport will be built on a green field site north of Doha. It will be designed as a modern, state of the art facility providing satellite control and communications support (TT&C) for the Es'hail 2 satellite, and offer up-linking and reception facilities tailored for Es'hailSat's business partners.
The teleport will be designed from the outset to allow for significant future growth, and will feature all major requirements in order to provide customers with comprehensive satellite ground station and platform services. During the course of the contract, SES TechCom will work closely together with Es'hailSat's project management team and their selected contractors, in order to create a new and exciting satellite facility for the future of Qatar's communication infrastructure.

Ali Ahmed Al-Kuwari, CEO of Es'hailsat, said: "We are delighted to be working on this important project with SES TechCom, a world leading company with proven expertise in the design and delivery of satellite ground station facilities. The establishment of our own teleport in Qatar is an integral part of the Es'hailSat program, giving us a secure and independent satellite infrastructure. It marks another key milestone in our plan to become a leading satellite operator and center of excellence in the MENA region.

Gerhard Bethscheider, Managing Director of SES TechCom, stated: SES is proud to support Es'hailSat in the development of their new, state of the art teleport infrastructure in Qatar and I am confident, that SES TechCom will be a knowledgeable and reliable partner for Es'hailSat's ambitious project. SES operates several of the largest and most successful teleports in the world and this with an unrivalled experience in the design and operation of such facilities. This initial contract has the potential to foster a long standing partnership between our two organisations."

For further information please contact:

Yves Feltes
Media Relations SES
Tel: +353 710 725 311
[email protected]

Noora Bohind
Tel: +974 44 99 35 09
[email protected]

About SES

SES is a world-leading satellite operator with a fleet of more than 50 geostationary satellites. The company provides satellite communications services to broadcasters, content and internet service providers, mobile and fixed network operators and business and governmental organisations worldwide.

SES stands for long-lasting business relationships, high-quality service and excellence in the broadcasting industry. The culturally diverse regional teams of SES are located around the globe and work closely with customers to meet their specific satellite bandwidth and service requirements.

SES (NYSE Euronext Paris and Luxembourg Stock Exchange: SESG) holds participations in Ciel in Canada and QuetzSat in Mexico, as well as a strategic participation in satellite infrastructure start-up O3b Networks.

About Es'hailSat

Es'hailSat, The Qatar Satellite Company was established in 2010. Based in Doha, Qatar, the company owns and operates satellites to serve broadcasters, businesses and governments. Es'hail 1 was successfully launched on 29th August 2013. The satellite provides television, voice, Internet, corporate and government services across the Middle East and North Africa region and beyond. Es'hail 2, to be located at the 26 degrees East TV broadcasting hotspot, is currently under construction and expected to be launched in Q4 2016.

Es'hail 2 will be controlled from Doha and will, therefore, require a modern TT&C facility in Qatar.

Es'hailSat plans to develop an end-to-end service for the Qatari stakeholders in order to fulfil:

  • Es'hail-2 and subsequent satellites TT&C requirements,
  • Qatari demand for DTH broadcast services (existing companies and potential comers with Lusail Media City),
  • Qatari demand for SATCOM services during the preparation for 2022 Football World cup,
  • Other demands driven by the country's impressive growth.