Timeline

Building a Satellite Industry for Qatar

The story of Es’hailSat and our journey into the satellite industry

The journey continues

2023

  • Partnership with Axess Networks
  • Majan TV launch on Es’hail-2
  • Bedaya TV launch on Es’hail-2
  • Partnership with RigNet (ViaSat)
  • IT Certification ISO 27001-2013
  • GDI Offshore Connectivity Services enabled.
  • Launching of Playout Services.
  • Sada Al Malaeb launch on Es'hail-2.
  • Awarded the Satellite Solution Provider of the Year at the 13th Satellite PRO awards.
  • Rotana’s Nine High-Definition Channels launch on Es'hail-2.

2022

  • Al Mamlakah Channel launched on Es’hail-2
  • Salam TV launched on Es’hail-2
  • Es’hailSat Teleport becomes the main service provider for Fadaat Media TV services
  • QNexus expands VSAT Connectivity from Qatar 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

2011

  • Es’hailSat Engineers commence internship program at SSL
  • SSL commences manufacture of Es’hail-1
2010

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

A Vision is Born