President and CEO of Es'hailSat, Ali bin Ahmed al-Kuwari, affirmed that satellites achieve interoperability with mobile networks, fifth-generation (5G) technology and non-terrestrial networks (NTN), enabling the delivery of reliable and secure solutions to users.
Al-Kuwari was speaking during a panel discussion held as part of the Satellite and Non-Terrestrial Networks Summit, on the margins of the second MWC26 Doha.
It is quite important to note that satellites shouldn't be approached as an alternative solution or backup to be resorted to should there be any potential malfunction, but must be part and parcel of the network from the outset, al-Kuwari underlined.
Regarding the differences between geostationary Earth orbit (GEO) satellites, non-geostationary (Non-GEO) satellites and terrestrial networks, al-Kuwari said there's no technology that can outperform the other by far across the board, but each has its own distinct strengths. He highlighted that terrestrial networks offer high-capacity connectivity in densely populated areas, while GEO satellites provide extensive and secure coverage across vast geographical areas.
Non-GEO satellites, meanwhile, are set apart by their lower latency and greater flexibility, he noted.
Al-Kuwari recalled that the company intends to offer combined and thoroughgoing solutions that layer all these kinds of technology, emphasising the importance of capitalising on international partnerships while simultaneously safeguarding national sovereignty.
The official pointed out that what matters most is ensuring the operation of critical infrastructure even in times of crises or turmoil, adding that Es'hailSat contributes to achieving that objective through its national assets in the form of satellites, alongside operating a Tier IV-certified ground station in Al Ghuwayriyah, northwest Qatar.
Through this station, he highlighted, Es'hailSat controls satellites and provides managed services, offering comprehensive solutions to ensure business continuity and disaster recovery for its clients, including broadcasters and other entities.
The CEO of Es'hailSat emphasised the importance of combining satellite technology, non-terrestrial networks (NTN) and non-terrestrial 5G networks to deliver a highly reliable solution for disaster and crisis recovery. He stressed the need for advance coordination between mobile network operators and government entities to ensure that crisis-management operations are carried out in a timely and highly efficient manner.
Al-Kuwari suggested that relying solely on satellites as a backup solution isn't the optimal approach; rather, they should be integrated with mobile networks and non-terrestrial networks from the outset.
Es'hailSat is seeking to transition from being solely a satellite capacity provider to becoming a fully integrated solutions provider, Al-Kuwari said, pointing out that this will require the company to substantially strengthen its assets and ground infrastructure and explore opportunities across multiple satellite orbits.
The objective, he remarked, is to deliver secure, reliable and flexible solutions that meet customers' needs while providing the State of Qatar with comprehensive, ready-to-deploy solutions. He highlighted that Es'hailSat plans to launch its Suhail 3 satellite within the next five years. The satellite is expected to provide additional capacity, enabling the company to substantially expand the scope of its services to include mobile network operators and the enterprise sector.
The Satellite and Non-Terrestrial Networks Summit featured several sessions involving experts from various global communications technology companies, who discussed the foremost strategic priorities and promising potential of satellite networks to significantly transform global connectivity by integrating them with mobile networks.
They also explored revenue-generation strategies across the individual consumer segment, the business-to-business (B2B) sector and the Internet of Things (IoT), in addition to the impact of satellite technologies on data sovereignty requirements, various mergers and acquisitions among telecommunications firms, anticipated transformations in the structure of the global telecommunications market, and the need to strike a balance between different spectrum options and a combination of regulatory frameworks.
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