Thuraya Telecommunications, based in the UAE and now the satellite mobility arm of Space42, is a mobile satellite service (MSS) provider. Operating geostationary satellites, Thuraya delivers voice, data, and broadband services across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia via its L-band network. Key products include satellite phones, broadband terminals, and IoT solutions, serving sectors like maritime, energy, government, and emergency response and partners like Cobham Satcom, and customers like government agencies and NGO's.
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Yahsat is owned by the United Arab Emirates state-owned investment company Mubadala and acquired Thuraya in 2018.
The contract covers a satellite designated Thuraya-4 NGS and includes an option for a Thuraya-5 NGS that, if exercised, would complete the replacement of Thuraya’s two-satellite Boeing-built fleet.
Thuraya-4 NGS will provide voice and data connectivity over the Middle East, Africa, Europe and Central Asia.
Yahsat contracted Airbus Defence and Space on 2020-08-27 to build a satellite for Thuraya.
Thuraya-4 NGS will be funded using Yahsat and Thuraya’s combined cash flow.
Thuraya is seeking proposals for ground segment upgrades and a 2024 launch of Thuraya-4 NGS.
Thuraya announced plans in 2016 to develop a geostationary satellite constellation called Futura, but the project stalled for want of financing.
Yahsat hopes to finalize a replacement plan for its L-band satellites, acquired through its 2018 acquisition of Thuraya, by the end of 2019.
Thuraya, a mobile satellite operator founded in the United Arab Emirates in the 1990s, operates two geostationary satellites that provide voice and data services from Europe to Asia.
Yahsat, a UAE-based satellite operator that operates three geostationary satellites, acquired Thuraya in 2018.
Yahsat plans to order two replacement satellites for Thuraya by the end of 2019 to continue Thuraya’s L-band connectivity service.
Thuraya currently operates two Boeing-built satellites, Thuraya-3 and Thuraya-2.
Thuraya’s Futura program planned to replace its two aging L-band satellites by 2020 with more powerful satellites carrying L- and Ka-band capacity.
Thuraya’s two Boeing-built satellites were designed to last at least 12 years, putting Thuraya-2 three years past its expected end date.
Thuraya’s target is to sign a contract for the two replacement satellites by the end of 2019.
Etisalat helped create Thuraya by leading a $500,000,000 investment round in 1997.
Etisalat sold its Thuraya shares to a YahSat company called Star Satellite Communications Company following completion of regulatory approvals and YahSat’s condition of acquiring at least 75.001% of Thuraya.
Etisalat sold its 28 percent stake in satellite operator Thuraya to YahSat for $37,000,000.
Thuraya operates two L-band satellites used for voice and data services.
Yahsat is acquiring a majority stake in Thuraya for an undisclosed amount on 2018-04-26.