Page 61 - SAMENA Trends - May-June 2024

REGIONAL & MEMBERS UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

Yahsat Awards US$1.1 Billion Contract to Airbus for
New Geostationary Satellites

Al Yah Satellite Communications Company PJSC (Yahsat) has
awarded a AED3.9 billion ($1.1 billion) contract to Airbus Defence
and Space SAS to build its new geostationary telecommunications
satellites, Al Yah 4 and Al Yah 5. This significant step follows the
signing of an Authorization-to-Proceed with Airbus in Q2 2023 to
commence initial activities for the AY4 and AY5 satellite program.
In Q3 2023, the UAE Government awarded an AED18.7 billion
mandate to Yahsat for the provision of satellite communications
capacity and managed services for 17 years, primarily using AY4
and AY5. Airbus will design and manufacture both satellites,
along with providing ground control segment components. Each
satellite will have a design life of 15 years, with launches planned significant step in Yahsat’s growth trajectory. The Al Yah 4 and Al
for 2027 and 2028, respectively. The contract covers the full cost Yah 5 satellites will enable us to provide the UAE Government with
of the AY4 and AY5 procurement program, including spacecraft, new cutting-edge solutions. Additionally, the two new LEO satellite
ground segment infrastructure, and launch and insurance. Yahsat platforms will support Yahsat’s future direction of providing multi-
will initially fund the program using its own resources, ahead orbit satellite solutions to its customers.” Alain Fauré, Head of
of receiving an AED3.7 billion advance payment from the UAE Space Systems at Airbus, added: “Marks a real milestone with
Government. The AY4 and AY5 satellites, based on the Eurostar Yahsat selecting our pioneering fully flexible satellite technology.
Neo platform, will feature flexible multi-band payloads that can be Sixteen years ago, we signed our first contract with Yahsat, bringing
reconfigured in orbit, adjusting coverage, capacity, and frequency the first sovereign telecommunications satellite to the UAE. And
as needed. These satellites will provide secure governmental now, our long-standing relationship is moving up a gear with this
communications over the Middle East, Africa, Europe, and Asia, contract for two Eurostar Neos, further strengthening Yahsat’s in-
replacing Al Yah 1 and Al Yah 2, which were launched in 2011 and orbit resources.” Airbus is also developing the Thuraya 4 satellite
2012. Ali Al Hashemi, Group Chief Executive Officer of Yahsat, (T4) for Yahsat Government Solutions and Yahsat’s commercial
stated: “We are delighted to sign this contract with Airbus as part satellite solutions arm, Thuraya. T4, based on the Eurostar Neo
of our continuous efforts to enhance our satellite communications platform, is scheduled to launch in the second half of 2024 and
capabilities with the next generation of satellites. This is a enter service in the second half of 2025.

Zain Bahrain Demonstrates Commitment to Employee
Wellbeing and Development

Zain Bahrain, a leading telecommunications provider, reaffirms its program, “Be Well,” launched in 2021. This event aimed to
unwavering commitment to supporting the growth and wellbeing encourage physical activity and camaraderie among staff
of its employees. As part of its holistic approach to employee members, highlighting the importance of prioritizing health and
wellness, the company has been implementing a range of initiatives wellness in the workplace. The event included a free health
to foster a healthy and supportive work environment for its monitoring station along with nutrition consultation. One of the
employees to positively impact its people and help them reach recent key initiatives introduced by Zain Bahrain is the employee
their fullest potential. The telco has always prioritized employee diversity and inclusion survey and the annual employee engagement
engagement, health and wellbeing, diversity, equity and inclusion survey, which proves the telco’s solid commitment to employees
through various programs and activities. It has implemented a as it seeks to exceed the benchmark for high-performing
policy allowing employees to work remotely up to two days per organizations. Zain Bahrain’s initiatives have yielded significant
week for a better work-life balance. Zain aims to create a more results in supporting employee wellbeing. The telco’s mental health
authentic employee experience centered on personal and career awareness campaigns, fitness challenges, and access to wellness
growth by giving its people the right tools and training courses to resources have fostered a culture of health and wellness within the
reach their goals. Also, in celebration of Global Wellness Day, Zain organization. These efforts are setting a new standard for
Bahrain has recently organized a walkathon for its employees in employee support and engagement in the telecom industry and
collaboration with City Center. It comes under its holistic wellbeing redefining a healthy workplace.

61 MAY-JUNE 2024