Today (May 18th), a Falcon 9 rocket will launch another 53 of Elon Musk’s Starlink broadband satellites into their transfer orbit. The launch comes alongside news that Quebec’s government, in addition to having already invested in Telesat’s proposed Lightspeed satellite constellation, is also putting cash into Starlink. The move reflects Quebec’s intention to offer a […]

Arabsat is ordering a new satellite, Arabsat-7A,that will add considerable sophistication to its fleet. The Saudi Arabia-based operator has signed a contract with Thales Alenia Space to build a fully ‘software defined’ ‘Space Inspire’ geostationary satellite and beam its signals over the Middle East, Africa and much of Europe. Arabsat-7A will replace the bulk of […]

Euronews is extending its contract with Arabsat. Arabsat will provide transmission broadcasts on its BADR-4 satellite (also known as Arabsat 4B). “We are delighted with our long partnership with Euronews, one of the most viewed news channels in Europe and look forward to continue to offer their uniquely rich and varied news on Arabsat BADR-4,” […]

Arabsat, Developing Infrastructure, and Forsway have announced the formation of XtndNet, a new broadband ISP targeting under-connected customers. XtndNet offers a hybrid service, combining ADSL, mobile Internet, and satellite connection — the XtndNet 12 Gigabit Space Superhighway — to deliver an affordable and reliable broadband connection. The service is available now in the UK and […]

The Intersputnik International Organization of Space Communications has gained full membership of the Global Satellite Operators Association (GSOA), a platform to promote satellite communication services and the common interests of satellite operators. The Association, formerly known as ESOA (EMEA Satellite Operators Association) used to focus on Europe, the Middle East and Africa. However, January 2022 […]

Globecast, the global solutions provider for media, and Arabsat, the satellite services provider in the Arab world, have announced that TiVi5MONDE has chosen the longstanding partnership to launch the FTA DTH channel in SD and HD across the MENA region. TiVi5MONDE, owned by French network TV5MONDE, is a 24/7 French language children’s network, featuring cartoons, […]

China Global TV Network’s Arabic-language service on Arabsat is upgrading to an HD service. Organised and carried in collaboration with Globecast the new CGTN-Arabic HD channel is being carried by Arabsat’s Badr-6 satellite and its coverage extends throughout the MENA region. “This recent upgrade to HD also contributes to the greater enjoyment of the channel’s […]

Arabsat, despite losing CEO Khaled Balkheyour last week, is still very much present at the Satellite 2021 show in Washington DC. Hadi Alhassani, VP and chief strategy officer of Arabsat, talking on a conference session at the show, said that Arabsat was busy looking to expand its geographical footprint. Alhassani told delegates that Arabsat was […]

Arabsat’s president and CEO Khalid Balkheyour has resigned from the Saudi Arabian-based satellite operator. His replacement is former CTO Badr Al-Suwaidan. Balkheyour’s departure is not wholly unexpected. For some time he had been expected to assume a greater role in Saudi media planning and development. Balkheyour has been in post at Arabsat since 2003, and […]