Business & Finance Club - Abu Dhabi : The UAE Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) said it has granted satellite service licences to two subsidiaries of Al Yah Satellite Communications Company (Yahsat).

Yahsat, which currently holds a satellite services licence from the TRA, said its unit Al Yah Advanced Satellite Communications Services had received a 10-year satellite services licence limited to providing telecoms services to the UAE government.

Its other unit Star Satellite Communications has been granted a 10-year satellite and broadcasting services licence which permits the company to provide a wide portfolio of telecoms services to meet high demand for emerging applications in satellite industry such as turn-key telecom solutions, broadband services and broadcasting services in the UAE.

The duration of the licences are 10 years and they can be renewed with the approval of the TRA.

TRA said through its continuous efforts to develop UAE telecoms sector and guarantee fair competition between the service providers within the market, it has approved the designated companies to provide the satellite services, aiming to supply the market with a new and extensive variety of satellite services.

“The TRA strategy aims to widen services and packages offered in the market through satellite providers. We fully believe that fair competition is a fundamental factor to drive the market forward and to ensure resourcefulness,” said TRA director general Mohamed Nasser Al Ghanim after signing the deal with Yahsat CEO Jassem Mohamed Al Zaabi.

“The UAE telecom sector has witnessed massive changes within the last four years; we are aiming to position our country as a center for integrated telecommunications services. Issuing the licenses to Al Yah Advanced and Star will definitely add value to the telecom sector,” he added.

Al Zaabi said Yahsat achieved a major milestone this February when it was awarded the satellite services licence to install, operate and manage its satellite and ground network in the UAE.

'Today is another equally important milestone with the award of the license to our subsidiary companies to offer satellite-based telecommunications services in our country. We appreciate all the assistance extended by the TRA and their confidence in Yahsat,' he remarked.

'We have taken on the challenge to establish UAE as a premier telecommunications hub by offering world class satellite services,' he added.