Middle East debut for Internet mobile antenna system at ReBuild Iraq Expo

The self-pointing iNetVu™ mobile antenna platform, developed by C-Com Satellite Systems of Ottawa, enables seamless two-way high-speed satellite-based Internet connectivity in any vehicle, virtually anywhere in the world. It can be used to set up mobile office facilities in difficult locations, and is especially suitable for development of Internet connectivity in areas of Iraq where many government and private sector infrastructures are undergoing reconstruction.

ShowNet Internet Solutions is the latest KIPCO company joining efforts to support reconstruction of Iraq's infrastructure. Asia-Cell, a consortium of KIPCO affiliate Wataniya Telecom, Asia-Cell, and United Gulf Bank (UGB) - KIPCO's subsidiary and investment banking arm - was awarded the GSM licence for northern Iraq and is now growing a mobile subscriber base in the region. UGB is in talks to establish a joint venture bank in northern Iraq with the Asia-Cell partners.

ShowNet Internet Solutions, based in Kuwait with offices in the UK and the Levant, is a Hughes Network Systems Europe value-added reseller of DIRECWAY broadband satellite services in the Middle East, and will work with C-Com to deliver the system to its regional customers using DIRECWAY services.

"Our customers include universities, ministries, financial institutions and corporate organisations in the Middle East, many of whom are setting up operations in Iraq," said ShowNet Internet Solutions president and chief executive officer Dr. Mohsen Sanai. "Integration of C-Com's unique solution with our two-way Internet service will enable us to offer secure Internet communications regardless of location, terrain, or terrestrial network build-out," he said.

ShowNet Internet Solutions is a forward-looking high-profile Internet company that provides a multitude of Internet-related services by utilising cutting edge high-speed satellite technology.

The company's Shownet service is the world's first commercially available - and affordable - high-speed satellite Internet service, and is offered through Global Direct. Shownet offers downloading speeds nominally 15 times faster than a typical DSL connection, and 50 times faster than conventional dial-up Internet access.

By cost-effectively providing the fastest Internet services anywhere in the Middle East, Shownet's reach covers the territory illuminated by NileSat - some 54 countries stretching from the eastern Atlantic seaboard to the Arabian Sea, and from southern Europe to the middle of Africa.

C-Com is a leading value-added provider of DIRECWAY broadband satellite services and products from Hughes Network Systems. The company's satellite-based products and services deliver high-quality, cost-effective solutions for both fixed and mobile applications throughout North America, Europe, Australia and the Middle East.

At Rebuild Iraq, ShowNet Intenet Solutions will appear with C-Com at the Canadian Pavilion (Stand # 504).