All underserved and remote markets are hot beds for satellite operators, and they will continue to address these regions in 2016, according to YahClick’s David Murphy…
Which developing or emerging markets (regions / countries) do you cover?
YahClick provides multipurpose broadband, satellite solutions across the Middle East, Europe, Africa, Central and South West Asia. Powered by Yahsat, YahClick provides state-of-the-art satellite technology to send and receive high-speed broadband internet signals in 28 markets.
With the launch of Al Yah 3 in 2016 the coverage will extend to an additional 19 countries bringing the total to 27 in Africa alone, and for the first time entry into Brazil.
What are your main hardware and/or services focus areas?
YahClick uses game-changing technology that delivers cost effective, high-speed, reliable satellite broadband internet services to home and business users. Our focus is on providing a range of service plans with speed, prices and service levels tailored to meet individual user and market conditions. YahClick is beamed from Y1B satellite, which is the first satellite in the region to offer internet connectivity through Ka-band multi spot beams, with reusable frequencies to maximise spectrum efficiency.
What are the top market and customer trends that will drive change in your area during 2016, and why?
Offering the widest communications spectrums and fastest transmission speeds than any of the previous bands, Ka-band will continue to transform space communications in 2016. Over the next decade, demand for Ka-band is expected to grow, especially across the Middle East, South Asia and Africa. Communication applications including trunking and cellular backhaul services, broadband access, enterprise networks and government communications will demand more Ka-band capacity, opening up new satellite possibilities.
YahClick has been pioneering Ka band technology from inception and its coverage capacity spans the globe across, Asia, Africa and the Middle East. This cutting edge technology allows customers to access high speed broadband services through small receiver dishes. This significantly cuts cost and means that customers have access to a reliable internet service directly from the Yahsat satellite, eradicating the last mile connectivity issues, which are often the cause of service disruption or unavailability.
What are the solutions that will make the greatest impact in your area during 2016, and why?
Expansion of coverage is vital: YahClick’s coverage area currently comprises the Middle East, Africa, Europe, Central and South West Asia. With the launch of our third satellite ‘Al Yah 3’, we will be able to expand in Africa as well as entering the Brazilian market.
Increased speed and GB requirements continue to trend with the use of cloud, big data and social media. The management of data and networking resources for LAN and internet services will be crucial in managing the user experience and expectation. Proliferation of wireless networks and picocells will increase the demand of backhaul services.
Al Yah 3 will address these consumer needs by delivering affordable reliable and cost effective satellite broadband and internet connectivity, directly or indirectly to over 600 million users in both continents.
What changes need to be made to speed up developments and what can hold them back?
The multi-billion dollar satellite industry is very small – competitors and partners are two sides to the same coin. We believe industry developments will speed up when all key players work together to expand coverage footprint and invest in space innovations.
For operators to make satellite connectivity affordable and accessible to everyone, regulators and providers need to work closely to remove barriers to market entry.
We also believe that the industry should invest in innovations that reduce cost, improve efficiency and lengthen the life span of satellites. The way we launch satellites needs to change and we are very pleased with the success of the trial launch of Space X in early 2016 – the entire industry is a step closer to launching satellites at a fraction of current cost.
Which technologies will be the most important in emerging markets in 2016?
4G/LTE; Mobile Data; Remote Connectivity (eg internet.org)
Under the backdrop of an increasingly competitive market place, together with tightened economies, satellite operators need to satisfy demand for faster and more reliable connectivity.
Neighbourhood cable systems are increasing in the region; however, most of their content is delivered to head-ends via satellite or fibre where available. Household demand for more IP bandwidth is increasing drastically as viewership habits are dramatically shifting from non-linear TV to on-demand content.
In general, the demand for terrestrial linear broadcasting delivery systems is decreasing. As a result company and government priorities in the region have shifted towards investing more in their IP infrastructure (fibre-to-the-curb and fibre-to the-home) for on-demand content and in satellite infrastructure for linear broadcasting.
Customer awareness and demands increases pressure on operators and providers to offer connectivity that is both reliable and affordable. We believe 2016 will be the year where operators and regulators work closely together to complete fibre rollout and allow access to new markets, currently restricted by embargos, regulations and licensing barriers.
David Murphy is the Chief Commercial Officer at Al Yah Satellite Communications PJSC at Yahsat.
