Picture used for illustrative purpose only.

Emadeddin Khalil, Staff Reporter

Al Yah Satellite Communications Company (Yahsat), the UAE’s flagship satellite solutions provider, has announced the scheduled deployment of the Thuraya 4 satellite, representing the next generation of Thuraya's satellite communications solutions, into orbit during the fourth quarter of 2024.

The commencement of services is anticipated to occur by 2025.

The satellite represents a significant advancement in mobile communications technology, designed to reinforce the resilience of Thuraya's existing L-band services, enhance space capacity, extend coverage across Europe, the Middle East and Africa, and facilitate the development of next-generation satellite communications solutions for a diverse range of customers, including government, defence, enterprise and commercial sectors.

The Thuraya 4 is also a next-generation Thuraya 4-NGS, forming part of a transformational programme designed to construct a new and comprehensive ecosystem, and to upgrade multiple technologies (air interfaces), a reconfigurable payload, a wide range of data speeds above 1 Mbps, and enhanced resilience and security.

Furthermore, Yahsat has highlighted that contemporary space electronic systems have been devised with the objective of enhancing the services they facilitate, in anticipation of the arrival of the Thuraya NGS-4 satellite in its designated orbit. This includes the integration of satellite connectivity systems, which convert traditional radio systems into satellite-based networks, as well as the deployment of satellite data transmission devices for a multitude of applications, including maritime vessels, aircraft, automobiles, and other vehicles. These developments aim to provide a range of Internet and data services to users.

The new systems and capabilities will reinforce Thuraya's position as a market leader in areas such as maritime, the Internet of Things (IoT) and data solutions. They will provide a comprehensive range of throughput capabilities and the highest speeds currently available on the market, while reinforcing Thuraya's competitive advantage in the mobile voice satellite communications market.

The new satellite will play a pivotal role in providing customers with cutting-edge and cost-effective satellite communications solutions, offering exceptional performance, reliability, and security. Additionally, it will introduce the next generation of satellite communications, encompassing a comprehensive optimisation and development of all ground and space platforms, thereby enabling a new range of services, products, and solutions across a broader coverage area.