Es'hailSat

What Es'hailSat does

Es'hailSat (legal name: Qatar Satellite Company) is Qatar's first and national satellite operator, established in 2010 through a strategic partnership between ictQatar and Eutelsat. The company operates two geostationary communications satellites — Es'hail-1 (launched August 2013 at 25.5° East) and Es'hail-2 (launched November 2018 at 26° East) — providing Ku-band and Ka-band coverage across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. Es'hailSat holds a Public Satellite Telecommunications Networks and Services License from ictQatar and contributes to Qatar's National Vision 2030 by serving strategic stakeholders that value broadcasting and communications independence, quality service, and wide geographical coverage.

The core product portfolio combines Direct-To-Home (DTH) television broadcasting, VSAT data communications, maritime and mobility connectivity, and a state-of-the-art teleport facility in Doha (Al Ghuwayriyah site) offering TT&C support, up-linking, reception, iDirect Hub Service, DSNG, and OBVAN capabilities. The teleport is World Teleport Association (WTA) Tier 4 certified and holds ISO/IEC 20000-1:2018, ISO 27001:2013, and ISO 45001:2018 certifications. The company supports 60+ TV channels on its orbital slots, including beIN Sports, Al Jazeera, Qatar TV, Al Kass, Rotana, and Al Araby TV.

Es'hailSat generates revenue primarily through long-term subscription-style transponder capacity leases to broadcasters, telecom operators, and enterprises, supplemented by managed teleport services and VSAT subscriptions. Go-to-market combines direct enterprise sales to broadcasters, governments, and large enterprises with a regional reseller and channel-partner network across MENA (including Total TR Medya, DiTVe, Citrus TV, Al Awsat, Ooredoo, Marlink, Viasat, and Jordan Media City). Customers span three verticals: broadcasters and media companies (primary), enterprise and government, and maritime/energy sector customers. Pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed.

Name

Es'hailSat

Legal name

Qatar Satellite Company (Es'hailSat)

Website

https://eshailsat.qa

Company type

Private

Founded year

2010

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Es'hailSat (Qatar Satellite Company) is Qatar's national satellite operator, running two geostationary satellites (Es'hail-1 and Es'hail-2) at 25.5°E and 26°E to provide DTH television broadcasting, VSAT, maritime, and teleport services to broadcasters, governments, and enterprises across the MENA region.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Satellite Communications

NAICS

Satellite Telecommunications (51741), Satellite Telecommunications (5174), Satellite Telecommunications (517410)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYHDAIAJAI

Satellite Network Operations & Capacity Services (NOC, Capacity Leasing, Managed Payload Services)

Hardware, Technology & Telecom/Telecommunications & Network Services/Satellite & Non-Terrestrial Network Services (GEO/MEO/LEO)

SECONDARYHDAIAJAG

Satellite Video & Media Distribution (DTH, Contribution/Distribution, Occasional Use)

Hardware, Technology & Telecom/Telecommunications & Network Services/Satellite & Non-Terrestrial Network Services (GEO/MEO/LEO)

SECONDARYHDAIAEAJ

Satellite Wholesale Capacity & Backhaul (transponder/HTS capacity, teleport services)

Hardware, Technology & Telecom/Telecommunications & Network Services/Wholesale & Carrier Services (Backhaul, Transit, Roaming)

SECONDARYHDAFAIAM

Satellite Broadband Terminals & Gateways (VSAT/LEO CPE)

Hardware, Technology & Telecom/Networking Equipment & Components/Network Access & Edge Devices (CPE/ONT/Modems/Gateways)

Keywords

• Satellite communications services
• Direct-to-home broadcasting
• Teleport managed services
• VSAT data connectivity
• Maritime satellite connectivity

Headquarters

HQ city

Doha

HQ country

Qatar

HQ region

Middle East

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Satellite Transponder Capacity: Leasing of transponder capacity on Es'hail-1 and Es'hail-2 satellites for broadcasting and communications services. Revenue generated through long-term capacity contracts with broadcasters, telecom operators, and enterprise customers.
2. Teleport Services: Managed teleport services including TT&C support, up-linking, reception facilities, and iDirect Hub Service. Fully managed service packages offered to end users.
3. VSAT Services: Ka-band and Ku-band VSAT terminals and connectivity services for enterprise, maritime, and energy sector customers.
4. Video Contribution Services: Broadcast contribution services, DSNG (Digital Satellite News Gathering), and OBVAN (Outdoor Broadcast Van) services.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Es'hailSat is Qatar's national satellite operator, operating two geostationary communications satellites (Es'hail-1 at 25.5° East and Es'hail-2 at 26° East) that deliver Direct-To-Home (DTH) television broadcasting, VSAT data communications, teleport services, and maritime/mobility connectivity across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. The company also operates a WTA Tier 4 certified teleport facility in Doha providing TT&C support, up-linking, reception, and fully managed services including iDirect Hub Service.

Product overview

Es'hailSat is Qatar's national satellite operator providing a integrated satellite communications portfolio centered around two geostationary communications satellites (Es'hail-1 at 25.5° East and Es'hail-2 at 26° East). The core offering combines Direct-To-Home (DTH) television broadcasting services with satellite data connectivity solutions including VSAT and maritime connectivity. Supporting infrastructure includes a WTA Tier 4 certified teleport facility in Doha offering managed services, uplink/playout capabilities, and satellite news gathering (SNG) services. The satellite fleet operates across Ku-band and Ka-band frequencies covering the MENA region with 99.9% uptime commitment.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Es'hail-1 Satellite Qatar's first geostationary communications satellite positioned at 25.5° East orbital slot, providing Direct-To-Home (DTH) television broadcasting, mobility, and telecommunication services across the Middle East and North Africa region.
• Es'hail-2 Satellite Second geostationary communications satellite positioned at 26° East orbital slot, providing Ku-band and Ka-band payload capacity for premium DTH television, mobility services, and data communications across the MENA region.
• Direct-To-Home (DTH) Television Broadcasting Services Satellite television broadcasting services enabling content distribution to millions of households across the MENA region, supporting both SD and HD channels with 99.9% uptime SLA.
• VSAT Services Satellite-based data communication services providing VSAT (Very Small Aperture Terminal) connectivity for enterprise, government, and maritime applications across wide geographical coverage areas.
• Maritime Connectivity Services Offshore and maritime satellite connectivity solutions for vessels operating in the Gulf region and broader MENA waters, including VSAT terminals and flat panel antenna solutions.
• Teleport Services State-of-the-art teleport facility in Doha providing TT&C support, up-linking, playout services, and reception facilities. WTA Tier 4 certified facility at Al Ghuwayriyah site offering fully managed service packages including iDirect Hub Service.
• Satellite News Gathering (SNG) and Video Contribution Services Mobile satellite news gathering services including Digital Satellite News Gathering (DSNG) and Outdoor Broadcast Van (OBVAN) capabilities for live news coverage and event broadcasting, enabling live transmission and content exchange between studios, venues, and distribution points.

Quantifiable outcome

• 99.9% uptime SLA for satellite broadcasting
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and flagship.

• ViasatcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2021Expansion agreement with Viasat for multi-transponder bandwidth on Es'hail-1 and Teleport services.
• NilesatcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021MoU with Nilesat for co-operation on satellite services across MENA region.
• TMCminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2021Partnership agreement with TMC for Digital Satellite News Gathering (DSNG) and Outdoor Broadcast Van (OBVAN) services in Qatar.
• MarlinkminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2021Contract with Marlink for capacities on Es'hail-1 to be used for VSAT in Egypt.
• RigNet (ViaSat)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Partnership with RigNet (ViaSat) for Energy services in the Gulf region.
• Axess NetworksminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2020Partnership with Axess Networks to expand reach across the region.
• Zener MarineminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2019Partnership for VSAT Support Services in maritime environment.
• InmarsatcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2016Partnership agreement with Inmarsat for satellite voice and data connectivity services in the region.
• OoredoocoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2015Agreement with Ooredoo to develop a wide range of new VSAT services for enterprise customers.
• MELCO (Mitsubishi Electric Corporation)coreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2014MELCO selected to build Es'hail-2, Qatar's second communications satellite.
• SpaceXcoreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2014SpaceX selected to launch Es'hail-2 from Cape Canaveral. Successfully launched on November 15, 2018 on Falcon 9 rocket.
• iSat NetworksminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2014iSat Networks delivered VSAT terminals to begin commercializing Ka-band payload on Es'hail-1.
• ArianespacecoreTechnology or Integration · 29 August 2013Arianespace was selected to launch Es'hail-1 from the French Guiana Spaceport. Successfully launched on August 29, 2013.
• ArabsatcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2013Strategic agreement to expand opportunities at 26° East TV hotspot neighborhood for TV broadcasting collaboration.
• Al Jazeera NetworksflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2011Strategic MOU with Al Jazeera Networks for provision of strategic satellite infrastructure. Al Jazeera is a major customer broadcasting on Es'hail satellites.
• ictQatar and EutelsatflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2010Strategic partnership between ictQatar and Eutelsat to invest in and operate a high-capacity satellite at 25.5° East, providing Qatar with independent satellite coverage and connectivity for MENA region. This partnership led to the creation of Es'hailSat.
• SSL (Space Systems Loral)coreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2010SSL was selected to build Es'hail-1 based on their 1300 satellite bus platform. SSL also provided an intensive two-year satellite engineering program to train four Qatari engineers as the country's first satellite operations engineers.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• SES: Global satellite operator with extensive GEO and O3b mPOWER MEO capacity serving broadcast, enterprise, and government customers worldwide. Provides benchmark for managed-services, teleport, and enterprise-vs-broadcast revenue split relevant to Es'hailSat's evolution.
• Eutelsat: One of the world's largest satellite operators and Es'hailSat's founding strategic partner via the 25.5° East joint investment. Operates a global fleet serving MENA among other regions; provides strategic and capacity benchmarking for Es'hailSat's commercial trajectory.
• Viasat: Global satellite communications company with GEO and LEO capacity serving consumer broadband, enterprise, energy, and government markets. Active partner of Es'hailSat via multi-transponder and energy-services agreements; relevant benchmark for enterprise/energy/maritime expansion.

Direct peers

• Nilesat: Egypt-based satellite operator providing DTH broadcasting and data services across MENA and North Africa. Direct peer for TV hotspot capacity serving the same broadcaster customer base as Es'hailSat; MoU partner for cross-MENA cooperation.
• Yahsat: UAE-based satellite operator with a multi-satellite fleet serving MENA, Africa, and beyond across broadcasting, government, and mobility verticals. Closely comparable in regional positioning, state affiliation, and broadcast-plus-enterprise mix.
• Inmarsat (Viasat): Global mobile satellite services operator focused on maritime, aviation, and government connectivity. Direct partner of Es'hailSat for satellite voice and data services in MENA; highly relevant as Es'hailSat expands into maritime and mobility VSAT.
• Arabsat: Arab Satellite Communications Organization is the leading MENA-region satellite operator with a larger fleet serving broadcast, telecom, and data customers. Directly comparable to Es'hailSat in DTH broadcasting across the Arab world and a formal cooperation partner via the 26° East strategic agreement.

Regional players

• Hellas Sat: Regional satellite operator serving Greece, Cyprus, and broader EMEA with DTH and telecom capacity. Comparable as a smaller, regionally-focused operator with overlapping MENA footprint and broadcast emphasis.
• Azercosmos: Azerbaijan's national satellite operator offering DTH, telecom, and VSAT services across the Caucasus, MENA, and Central Asia. Comparable as a state-owned regional satellite operator serving overlapping broadcast and enterprise verticals.
• Turksat: Turkey's national satellite operator providing DTH broadcasting and telecom services across Turkey, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. Comparable in state-owned structure and regional broadcast focus, though primarily serving Turkish-language markets.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/eshailsat
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/EshailSat
• Facebookfacebook.com/eshailsat
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/2629963
• Instagraminstagram.com/eshailsat_qsc

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Es'hailSat