Daily Times

KARACHI: Despite arrival of next generation technologies, the internet is yet to make a difference in remote indigenous communities and businesses then satellite broadband service providers continued to gain market share in far-off regions.

In this regard, YahClick, a UAE based satellite broadband internet company having coverage in 28 countries launched its Ka-band satellite broadband services in Pakistan last year partnering with Super Net and Click Sat.

Talking to Daily Times, Regional Director at Yahsat, Sajid Mangrio said satellite broadband services can ensure its customers are connected in every nook and corner of the country without any issue of network deployment. ‘China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is one of the major targets in the future as corporation to participate in the development of the economic corridor will need a fast and reliable satellite broadband service’.

Mangrio said that satellite broadband is not competing with terrestrial broadband service operators or Telecom operators but rather bridge the gap where there is no connectivity or connectivity is unreliable.

The service is basically created for enterprises and growing businesses as it provides a high-speed, always-on connection that gives instant access to resources that are critical for success. The service is ideal for businesses that require reliable broadband internet connectivity to support email, web access and various business applications, as well as a back up solution for existing terrestrial Internet during network failures.

A small 74 cm satellite dish, about the same size as a satellite TV dish and a modem is required to connect the computer to the internet with a high-speed connection through satellites.

“Currently , we are focusing on enterprises users as its a bit expensive for individual use, however, with the growing penetration it will available for general public with relatively low prices in near future’, said Mangrio.

He noted that Yahclick has also been deployed for surveillance systems for security purposes by different law enforcement agencies and large corporations. In the past Government of Punjab required setting up surveillance all along the route of Zimbabwe cricket team going towards the stadium for security arrangement few years ago which was provided by Yahclick at a very short notice

The service does not need to lay out any major infrastructure. Its users simply connect using a modem and small satellite dish. Satellite broadband services can connect remote, deserted and mountainous areas with no issue of security even in the areas such as FATA and Baluchistan.

Yahsat is a private joint stock company that is fully owned by Mubadala, the investment arm of the Government of Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates. The operator delivers customized satellite solutions for the government as well as the commercial sector in 28 countries in the Middle East, Africa, Europe, Central and South West Asia.

The technology can also be accessible to sea and airspace hence it is indispensable for shipping and aviation sectors, Mangrio said. “Oil and gas exploration companies, banking sector, construction companies, government departments and armed forces troops in far-flung areas are main clients YahClick’.

Yahsat is also providing satellite broadband services to “Basic Health Units”- a project of Punjab providing connectivity initially to 30 BHU’s across different rural areas of Punjab and also e-education projects connecting 1,600 schools situated in remote areas.

In banking sector, the Yahclick services have connected 164 ATMs of leading banks and also election offices of the government located in different far-flung areas of the country.

Showing his optimism over Pakistan’s market, he said

The cost of the equipment stands at $700-$800 against approximately $2,500 of other satellite operators. The monthly services charges starts from $80 compared with $300 to $400 monthly charges.