Yahsat appoints ViaSat to Supply Ka-band networking equipment and operations support

The YahClick service will use satellite broadband technology to bring uninterrupted high-speed internet to many countries in the Middle East, North Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa, and South West Asia. YahClick will be available for both home users and enterprises through Y1B, Yahsat's second satellite to be launched in the second half of 2011. Shortly after the launch of the satellite, the service will be offered through service partners operating in the coverage area.

"YahClick will play a key role in connecting communities and creating informed societies, by providing cost-effective high speed internet to millions of people. We wanted the right partner and found ViaSat's breadth of applications, operational expertise, and business relationships a perfect fit with our goals."

said Jassem Al Zaabi, CEO of Yahsat.

Due to the highly flexible system design YahClick broadband service will be able to cater to multiple user segments ranging from basic internet access for a home user to high speed service plans for the corporate users. Service partners will bundle hardware and software services, offering packages tailor-made for specific markets and user segments.

Under the contract, ViaSat will deliver and install four complete broadband gateways, provide equipment and installation for a network control center, supply a pilot production quantity of user terminals, and support Yahsat with network operations and maintenance services.