[Satellite TODAY 03-22-13] Yahsat CCO Shawkat Ahmed, whose company is playing a key role in bringing satellite broadband services to the EMEA region, told audience members of SATELLITE 2013’s closing rapid-fire panel session that the launch of the YahClick service this past summer was a personal triumph for him beyond its regional and international significance.

   While giving credit to globally disruptive satellite technology breakthroughs such as Intelsat’s EpicNG open architecture platform and the upcoming O3b Networks broadband constellation, Ahmed expanded on the significance of the YahClick service as a platform that could drive noteworthy changes to the way providers roll out services. 

   “YahClick brings affordable and instant Internet connectivity to the population and, therefore, fast tracks connectivity to this young country beyond what is possible with the time and expense it would take to expand fixed or wireless Internet solutions,” he said. “We see huge potential for the country in further developing its socio-economic growth. YahClick is a game changing technology that provides broadband services to everyone from government, businesses, education institutes, NGOs to personal home users.”

YahClick, which functions as a business unit of Yahsat, has launched its satellite broadband in six countries. Though Ahmed admitted that YahClick’s service rollout expectations for the company launch service in at least 20 markets in Middle East, Africa and Central and South West Asia by the end of the month are a bit out of reach, he highlighted how it has performed exceptionally well in specific markets by doubling its monthly take-up rates. 

  “In Nigeria, the main delivery of broadband happens via mobile broadband on 3G networks,” said Ahmed. “When you have a lot of users on these networks, speeds drops dramatically. Through YahClick, we offer a higher quality of service, with 99.5 per cent of coverage across Nigeria. That makes a big difference, especially when 3G coverage in Nigeria reaches 90 per cent in the country.”

   Ahmed said that the SATELLITE 2013 conference has built a distinct buzz about high-throughput satellite service as the clear innovation leader for the industry. “What is also encouraging is how Ka-band and other high-throughput offerings are evolving at such a rapid pace, even though they are, in essence, a state-of-the-art resource,” he said.