Qatar: Satellite Program will increase broadband capacity and capabilities for the region.
Activity description:
Es’Hail, a new high-powered communications satellite, will increase broadband capacity and capabilities for the region.
The high-capacity satellite will bring Qatar and the surrounding Middle East and North African region enhanced availability and quality of communications services. This means more TV channel choices and cable provider options in Qatar, and improved military surveillance and radio communications for the country’s armed forces.
ictQATAR and Eutelstat will build and operate Es’Hail, planned for launch in early 2013. This significant venture is the first of many planned investments in satellite technology by the newly-established Qatar Satellite Company. Though Eutelstat had planned to launch a satellite in the same orbital slot (25.5 degrees east), QSC’s provision of additional capital for the investment allows for a bigger satellite with greater capacity.
This investment will help ensure Qatar’s commitment to meeting the sophisticated broadband needs required to host FIFA’s World Cup in 2022. Furthermore, the television market will especially benefit from the installed base of more than 13 million satellite homes already equipped for Direct-to-Home reception from this region.
WSIS action lines related to this activity: Theme 1. The role of governments and all stakeholders in the promotion of ICTs for development
[ICT for sustainable development]
[National e-strategies]
[Partnerships]
Theme 2. Information and communication infrastructure
Theme 3. Access to information and knowledge
Theme 6. Enabling environment
Theme 8. Cultural diversity and identity, linguistic diversity and local content
Theme 9. Media
Theme 11. International and regional cooperation
Related MDGs:
no information available
Activity type:
Programme
Time scale:
Ongoing
Partners:
no information available
Additional Information on National Implementation Mechanism
Strategy for coordinating WSIS Implementation at the national level: Yes
