Arabsat signs African capacity deal with MICT

Khalid Balkheyour

Middle East satellite operator Arabsat has signed a deal to provide satellite capacity over Africa to UAE-based IT and communications investment firm MICT (Morgan for Information and Communications Technology).

Arabsat will provide MICT with satellite capacities on Arabsat-5C at the orbital position 20° East, providing full coverage to the African continent, as well as Arabsat’s usual coverage to the Middle East and parts of Asia and Europe.

Arabsat CEO Khalid bin Ahmed Balkheyour said his company would provide full support for the initiative.

“The importance of this agreement is not only in its value and financial returns, but also in the glimmer of hope it gives despite the difficulties and challenges facing the region – it’s a message that we still care and hold a lot of hope and a little of the welfare to all the communities of the African continent,” said MICT CEO Kazem Zain.

“The implementation of this contract starts with building and operating two ground stations in Africa this year, to be expanded in the coming years to accommodate the growing needs of the African and the region.”

MICT says its company aim is to provide national institutions with ICT solutions and to develop applications of integrated information according to international standards of measurements and specifications.