PRESS RELEASES
Al Jazeera Networks and Es’hailSat Enter Into Strategic Agreement
July 24, 2012
Doha, 24th July, 2012 – Al Jazeera Networks (AJN) and Es’hailSat, the Qatar Satellite Company, today announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to promote closer co-operation between the two companies regarding the strategic satellite infrastructure required by AJN to build its capabilities and extend its reach out to the rest of the world.
Within the framework of the MOU, Es’hailSat will provide independent and strategic satellite solutions to meet Al Jazeera’s requirements for broadcast independence and sustainability, including the provision of satellite capacity and the development of orbital positions and ground services to support future expansion opportunities in new markets.
The agreement was signed in Doha by Sheikh Ahmed Bin Jassim Al Thani, Director General of Aljazeera Media Network and Mr. Ali Al Kuwari, Es’hailSat’s CEO.
Sheikh Ahmed Bin Jassim Al Thani, Director General of Aljazeera Media Network, said: “Al Jazeera was established in 1996 as an independent broadcaster located in the heart of the Middle East with over 70 news bureaus worldwide. Our channel covers regions and events across the world managed from our facilities in Doha. It is a major step forward that Qatar now also has its own satellite operator and we look forward to working closely with Es’hailSat in the future”.
Commenting on the agreement, Es’hailSat CEO, Ali Ahmed Al Kuwari, said: “We are delighted to be able to work with Al Jazeera Networks on the development of satellite services over the long term and to support their evolving strategic interests including satellite radio, ground services, news gathering and other ancillary communications services”.
With the first satellite – Es’hail 1 – under construction and future satellites planned, Es’hailSat can provide the necessary capacity to enable its customers to substantially increase their communications capability, particularly in broadcasting in HD and 3D.
Es’hailSat aims to provide high quality, independent satellite services to customers throughout the Middle East and North Africa and to support Qatar’s commitment to meeting the sophisticated communications needs required to host FIFA’s World Cup in 2022.
