Es’hailSat signs with Telesat Lightspeed. Photo: Es’hailSat

Telesat has signed a strategic partnership deal in the Middle East with Es’hailSat to deliver Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite connectivity services to Qatar and across key international markets. The two companies announced the partnership, Feb. 9.

Telesat’s LEO network, currently in production, is designed to deliver high‑throughput, low‑latency connectivity to a broad range of markets. Through this strategic alignment, the two companies have agreed to collaborate on service validation activities, market development initiatives, and the exploration of local infrastructure integration in Qatar to support future service delivery.

2026 is shaping up to be a key year for Telesat and its highly anticipated Lightspeed LEO constellation and project. The operator said late last year that it plans to launch two Telesat Lightspeed pathfinder satellites in late 2026 to validate the satellite performance before broader deployment. It plans to ultimately bring 156 satellites into operation by the end of 2027.

“Es’hailSat continues to advance Qatar’s position as a regional leader in satellite communications. Our strategic engagement with Telesat supports our mission to bring innovative, high‑performance connectivity solutions to our customers while expanding our international partnerships. We look forward to working together to evaluate and demonstrate next‑generation LEO services that complement our existing satellite and teleport infrastructure,” Ali Ahmed Al‑Kuwari, president and CEO, Es’hailSat, said in a statement.