Interview with Ibrahim Abdulla Al-Hammadi, Executive Director-Sales-Es’hailSat
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Ibrahim Abdulla Al-Hammadi
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Doha, Qatar, May 12, 2025 - Satellite Markets and Research Editor-in-Chief Virgil Labrador spoke with Interview with Ibrahim Abdulla Al-Hammadi, Executive Director of Sales at satellite operator Es’hailSat. We focused our discussion on the VSAT services, Excerpts of the interview follows:
Please give us a brief overview of your capabilities in VSAT network management?
Es’hailSat provides top-of-the-line Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT) services and associated communication solutions for government, telecommunications companies, and enterprises. These services utilize small satellite dishes and reliable modems, backed by high-speed connectivity on two co-located satellites in neighboring orbital slots.
The managed VSAT service offered by Es’hailSat operates in the Ku-band or Ka-band frequency ranges, providing fast data transfer speeds. This service is designed to reduce customer complexity and the cost of managing satellite network operations. It supports a wide range of antenna sizes and is hosted in a Tier-4 certified teleport facility with a fully redundant setup.
Es’hailSat’s managed VSAT network is suitable for various applications, including remote areas, disaster zones, oil rigs, and mining sites. The service is adaptable and can be integrated with other telecommunication networks, such as cellular backhaul and maritime networks, to provide a complete end-to-end service.
What makes Es’hailSat a good choice for providing VSAT networks services?
Es’hailSat is an excellent choice for providing VSAT network services due to several key advantages:
- High-Speed Data Transfer: Es’hailSat’s managed VSAT network operates in the Ku-band and Ka-band frequency ranges, providing scalable bandwidths for fast data transfer speeds.
- Robust Infrastructure: Es’hailSat uses best-in-class hub and remote terminal solutions, ensuring a high level of performance, functionality, and innovation. Our 50,000sqm Tier-4 certified Teleport facility in Doha offers diverse redundant fiber services, allowing for breakout to MPLS, VPN, Internet, and other options.
- Expert Support: Es’hailSat’s team of trained and certified field engineers ensures hassle-free installation and maintenance. They provide 24x7 customer support in both English and Arabic.
- Flexibility and Adaptability: The managed VSAT service offers the flexibility to upgrade and change or assign different bandwidth from a pre-assigned pool as per the contract. It can also be easily integrated with other telecommunication networks, such as cellular backhaul and maritime networks, to provide a complete end-to-end service.
- Cost Savings: Tailored solutions through optimized design by engineering experts on suitable bandwidth plans with associated QoS and contention ratio result in cost savings.
- Licensed Operator: As a licensed VSAT operator and the national satellite operator for the State of Qatar, Es’hailSat is a trusted partner for regional and global companies alike.
What are they key vertical markets segments (ie. maritime, government, energy, enterprise) that you serve and what advantages do you have over other providers?
Es’hailSat provides VSAT services to several key vertical market segments, including:
- Government: Es’hailSat offers robust and secure communication solutions tailored for government applications, ensuring reliable connectivity for critical operations.
- Telecommunications: The company supports telcos with high-speed data transfer and reliable network services, enabling them to extend their reach and improve service quality.
- Enterprises: Es’hailSat provides connectivity solutions for businesses, ensuring seamless communication and data transfer for corporate customers.
- Maritime: The company offers connectivity services for maritime applications, supporting vessels and offshore platforms with reliable communication solutions.
- Energy: Es’hailSat serves the energy sector, providing connectivity solutions for remote locations such as oil rigs and mining sites.
What advantages does Es’hailSat provide over other providers?
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State-of-the-Art Infrastructure: The company’s 50,000 sqm Tier-4 teleport facility in Doha is equipped with advanced technology, providing the necessary infrastructure for broadcasters, telcos, enterprises, and government customers. The company’s satellites, Es’hail-1 and Es’hail-2, are strategically positioned to serve the needs of customers across the MENA region.
Geographic Advantage: Es’hailSat’s unique geographic location in Doha, Qatar, places the company at the epicenter of the energy sector in the Middle East region, providing a strategic advantage for serving customers in this area.
Flexibility and Customization: The managed VSAT service offers a range of plans with different bandwidth, data volume, and service level agreement (SLA) options to meet the specific needs of different customers.
Licensed Operator: As a licensed VSAT operator and the national satellite operator for the State of Qatar, Es’hailSat is a trusted partner for regional and global companies alike.
Strategic Partnerships: Es’hailSat has formed strategic partnerships with leading companies like Viasat, Inmarsat, and GDI, enhancing their service offerings and providing an edge over other providers.
Can you cite an example of a VSAT solution that you provided for a client?
For one of our Government (VIP) customers, we recently designed a VSAT mobility network to enhance connectivity for their vehicles, integrating satellite and terrestrial technologies to ensure reliable communication in diverse environments.
- Hybrid Connectivity Solution: The system combines GEO and LEO satellite connections with GSM radio units, enabling seamless transitions between satellite and cellular networks for optimal performance.
- Flat Panel Antenna Design: A low-profile Flat Panel Antenna is utilized to maintain vehicle aerodynamics while providing effective connectivity, making it suitable for various vehicle types.
- SD-WAN Router Integration: The SD-WAN router manages network traffic intelligently, optimizing connections and ensuring high service availability across different communication channels.
- Versatile Applications: This advanced connectivity solution is applicable in sectors such as emergency response, commercial fleets, remote operations, and public safety, enhancing operational efficiency and communication reliability.
Es’hailSat’s 50,000 square meter teleport located on the outskirts of Doha in Qatar recently received Tier-4 Certification from the World Teleport Association (WTA). Tier-4 is the highest level of excellence recognized by the WTA. (image courtesy of Es’hailSat)
How do you see the market for VSAT services going forward?
The future market for VSAT services is expected to see significant growth and transformation, driven by several key factors:
- Increased Adoption in Key Segments: The penetration of VSAT services in the merchant vessels and energy segments is expected to grow at healthy double digit CAGR. Within VSAT technologies, the total addressable market for cloud services is increasing, driven by faster-than-expected adoption of LEO systems, with sectors such as the maritime & energy sector being among the most receptive.
- Strategic Market Expansion: Companies are exploring various market expansion options, including enhancing their current role as connectivity providers, partnering to become virtualized network operators, or acquiring service providers in segments such as maritime, to develop a full suite of value-added services.
- Competitive Landscape: The competitive landscape is evolving, with key players like the LEO systems making significant strides. The presence of these players presents both challenges and opportunities for existing VSAT service providers.
- Emerging Opportunities: The expansion of public-private partnerships in space resources and the rising adoption of Internet of Things (IoT) devices and machine-to-machine (M2M) communications are providing new growth opportunities for the enterprise VSAT system market.
- Challenges: Despite the positive outlook, the market faces challenges such as limited spectrum availability, high cost of installation and maintenance, and security concerns related to payment gateways and cyber-attacks.
Anything else you want to add?
Additional features of Es’hailSat’s VSAT services include:
- Robust Connectivity: Operating in both Ku and Ka-band ensures a resilient service.
- DDoS Protection: Provides protection on provisioned public internet.
- Expert Engineering Support: Available 24x7 in both English and Arabic.
- Fully Redundant Setup: Hosted from our Tier-4 certified Teleport facility.
- Expandable Options: Includes a host of optional add-on features
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