Timeline
Building a Satellite Industry for Qatar
The story of Es’hailSat and our journey into the satellite industry
The journey continues
2024
- Signed expansion agreement with Viasat for multi-transponder bandwidth on Es’hail-1 and Teleport services.
- Signed expansion agreement with Fadaat Media Group for video contribution services on Es’hail-1
- Signed partnership agreement with TMC for Digital Satellite News Gathering (DSNG) and Outdoor Broadcast Van (OBVAN) services in Qatar
- Signed MoU with Nilesat for co-operation on satellite services across MENA region
- Signed agreement with beIN for the renewal and upgraded services on Es’hail-2
- Rotana’s nine HD channels launched on Es’hail-2
- Signed an agreement with Algerian TDA to launch multiple TV Channels on Es’hail-2
- Launched Qatar TV Global Distribution in North America, Europe and Asia
- Yafa Medya TV channels joins Es’hailSat’s video hotspot on Es’hail-2 Satellite
- Es’hailSat provides transponder capacity on Es’hail-1 to Gulfsat for VSAT and high-speed connectivity in Kuwait
- Komas Group channels joins Es’hailSat’s video hotspot on Es’hail-2 Satellite
- Es’hailSat’s Al Ghuwayriyah (Doha) Teleport receives WTA Tier 4 Certification
- Signed a renewal contract with AJMN for Contribution Services
- Signed a contract with Marlink for capacities on Es’hail-1 to be used for VSAT in Egypt
- Es’hailSat Teleport achieves ISO 45001:2018 Certification for its Occupational Health and Safety Management System.
2023
- Es’hailSat enters into partnership with Axess Networks to expand reach
- Majan TV channel joins video neighborhood on Es’hail-2 satellite
- Bedaya TV channel joins video neighborhood on Es’hail-2 satellite
- Es’hailSat enters into partnership with RigNet (ViaSat) for Energy services
- Es’hailSat IT achieves ISO 20000-1:2018 Certification for IT service management
- Es’hailSat enables Offshore Connectivity Services for Gulf Drilling International (GDI)
2022
- Al Mamlakah Channel joins video hotspot on Es’hail-2 satellite
- Salam TV Channel joins video hotspot on Es’hail-2 satellite
- Es’hailSat Teleport becomes the primary satellite provider for Fadaat Media TV services
- QNexus based at Qatar Science and Technology Park (QSTP) expands VSAT Connectivity on Es’hail-1
2021
- Commissioned iDirect Hub Service from its Teleport in Doha, offering fully managed service packages to end users
- Successfully conducted Proof of Concept tests using low profile flat panel VSAT terminals for maritime environment on Es’hail-1
- Awarded the ISO/IEC 20000-1:2018 certification by Intertek in co-operation with OISSG Consultancy for IT service management system
- Al Huda TV launch on Es’hail-2
- Al Araby 2 TV launch on Es’hail-2
2020
- Signed partnership agreement with Intellian for maritime terminals
- Signed partnership agreement with Cobham for mobility terminals
- Signed partnership agreement with Zener Marine for VSAT Support Services
- Signed partnership agreement with Gravity Media for SNG services
2019
- Es’hailSat signed agreement with BridgeSat to bring laser-based satellite communications services to governments and businesses in the Middle East
- Es’hailSat’s state-of-the-art teleport officially opened
- Es’hail-2 enters into commercial service
2018
- Signed agreement with Satellite Telecommunications Network in Slovenia for connectivity and uplink services
- Signed framework agreement with DiTVe to sell Es’hailSat products and services
- Signed reseller agreement with Citrus TV to sell Es’hailSat services in Algeria
- Signed reseller agreement with Al Awsat to sell Es’hailSat services in Iraq
- Es’hailSat receives the Growth Strategy of the Year award during Broadcast Eurasia & 4th Global Satellite Show 2018
- Es’hail-2 successfully launched onboard SpaceX Falcon9 rocket on November 15, 2018
- Signed mutual agreement with Katara for planetarium to promote education in science
2017
- Qatar TV channels and Al Kass channels launch on Es’hail-1
- Al Rayyan add new channels on to their existing bouquet of channels on Es’hail-1
- Signed partnership agreement with Inmarsat for satellite voice and data connectivity services in the region
- New channel Al Rafidain, launch on Es’hail-1
- Signed framework agreement with Total TR Medya to sell Es’hailSat products and services
- Entered into agreement with O3b for HTS capacity for IP over satellite services
- Signed framework agreement with Al Andalus to sell Es’hailSat products and services in Sudan
- Signed agreement with Jordan Media City to provide uplink services for broadcast customers in MENA
- Es’hailSat receives the Satellite Operator of the Year Award during Global SatShow
2016
- Es’hailSat enters into a Memorandum of Understanding with Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) for satellite services
- beIN chooses Es’hailSat to transmit live coverage of UEFA Euro 2016 in 4K on Es’hail-1
- New HD channels from beIN launch on Es’hail-1
- New channels Al Rayyan2, Al Bawadi and Mekamleen launch on Es’hail-1
- Es’hailSat receives the Satellite Operator of the Year Award during Global SatShow
2015
- New Channel Al Araby TV, launch on Es’hail-1
- Es’hailSat develops new Ka-band hub for data communications services
- New state-of-the-art teleport facility development commences in Doha providing TT&C support, up-linking and reception facilities
- Es’hailSat and Ooredoo sign an agreement to develop a wide range of new VSAT services
- Es’hail-2 completes Critical Design Review
- Es’hailSat launches Satellite and Space Educational Outreach Program for Schools in Qatar
2014
- Es’hailSat selects MELCO (Mitsubishi Electric Company) to build the company’s second satellite – Es’hail-2
- Es’hailSat wins Newcomer Satellite Operator of the Year Award at the Euroconsult World Satellite Business Week 2014
- Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) is selected to launch Es’hail-2 from Cape Canaveral
- Es’hailSat wins ASBU/Broadcast Pro Middle East’s Satellite Operator of the Year 2014 award
- iSat Networks delivers VSAT terminals to begin commercializing Ka-band payload on Es’hail-1
2013
- Es’hailSat Engineers graduate from SSL internship program to become the country’s first satellite operations engineers
- Es’hailSat opens Capacity Management Center in Doha to monitor TV channels, business, and data services. The Centre provide 24/7 optimized services to customers, especially interference and protection of customer signals.
- Es’hailSat and Arabsat sign a strategic agreement to expand opportunities at 26° East TV hotspot neighborhood for TV broadcasting
- Es’hail-1 satellite is launched successfully from French Guiana on 29th August 2013
- ictQatar grants a Public Satellite Telecommunications Networks and Services License to Es’hailSat
- Es’hail-1 enters service on Qatar National Day, 18th December 2013, broadcasting beIN Sports and Al Jazeera channels
2012
- Es’hailSat enters into a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Al Jazeera Networks regarding the provision of strategic satellite infrastructure
- Arianespace is selected to launch Es’hail-1 from the French Guiana Spaceport in South America
2011
- Es’hailSat Engineers commence internship program at SSL
- SSL commences manufacture of Es’hail-1
2010
- ictQatar and Eutelsat enter into a strategic partnership to invest in and operate a high-capacity satellite at 25.5° East, providing the State of Qatar with independent satellite coverage and connectivity for the Middle East and North Africa
- The Satellite is named “Es’hail-1” – the name of a star announcing clement and a joyful season in the Middle East region
- SSL is selected to build the high-performance satellite based on the company’s 1300 satellite bus, a decades-proven, modular platform with high power capability and flexibility for a broad range of applications
- SSL provides Es’hailSat with an intensive two-year satellite engineering program to help train four engineers to become the country’s first satellite operations engineers