YahClick, the satellite broadband service of Al Yah Satellite Communications Company, Yahsat, the UAE-based, Mubadala Development Company-owned satellite operator, officially launched Pakistan's first Ka-band satellite broadband Internet service yesterday at an event in Islamabad.

Customers across Pakistan will now be able to instantly connect to satellite broadband via a small dish and modem, without the frustration of congested networks and from anywhere in the country, including places where terrestrial infrastructure is currently not yet available.

Masood M. Sharif Mahmood, Chief Executive Officer at Yahsat, said, "Our consumer launch in Pakistan is a significant milestone for YahClick. Regulatory approval by the Pakistani authorities for consumer use paves the way for us to continue our global growth strategy in this promising market."

"The exceptional demand in the rural and underserved communities across Afghanistan and the whole of Africa has led to YahClick's rapid growth to become the largest satellite internet provider in Africa and a dominant player in the Afghan market.

We are confident that with this launch of our service in Pakistan, we will attract even more business and home users who are striving for better connectivity and access to global online, social, cultural and knowledge communities," continued Mr Mahmood.

Now completing its soft launch phase, YahClick is already using state-of-the-art satellite technology to send and receive high-speed broadband Internet signals in Pakistan, linking some of the country's most important infrastructure, including over 154 ATMs, for many leading banks serving country's most isolated locations, as well as connecting 1,600 students and supporting election offices in remote areas.

Mr Mahmood went on to say, "YahClick will help Pakistan accelerate its economic growth and social development by improving access to information and reducing operational costs for internet access in the most remote and currently underserved areas. Giving businesses instantaneous access to global market intelligence, students the tools to reach information sources from anywhere and health care professionals the ability to connect with colleagues and experts are the important ways in which YahClick will improve the daily lives of people across Pakistan."

YahClick is the broadband satellite internet service of Yahsat, a global satellite solutions provider. The YahClick active customer base recorded significant growth of more than 42% during 2014. To date, YahClick has acquired almost 34,000 subscribers for its satellite broadband service. The service has been rolled out across 13 countries out of its 28-country footprint, seven of which are in sub-Saharan Africa.
Source: WAM