Executive Spotlight: Phoebe Wang, VP-Asia, Thuraya

Singapore, June 9, 2023--At Satellite Asia 2023 held in Singapore, Satellite Executive Briefing caught up with mobile operator Thuraya's  Vice-President for Asia, Phoebe Wang, who expounded on Thuraya's presence in the Asia-Pacific   market and the latest developments on their company.  Excerpts of the interview follows:

Why are you here at Satellite Asia, and what are the most interesting solutions or products you are 
showcasing at this exhibition?

We are happy to be at Satellite Asia, which is part of ATxSG, commonly referred to as CommunicAsia, the premier ICT event in the Asia Pacific region. Thuraya is participating as the mobility arm of the UAE’s flagship satellite solutions provider, Yahsat.  It is happening in the midst of the ‘Yahsat Asia Week’ we are hosting in Singapore, which opened with our Asia Partner Conference on 5 June. As Thuraya transitions to next-generation connectivity with the expected launch of the Thuraya 4-NGS satellite next year and a next-generation broadband portfolio, we regard events like CommunicAsia as great platforms to network with our partners, explore new market opportunities and give customers first-hand experience for our next generation broadband portfolio developed in collaboration with industry leader, Cobham SATCOM. This is fundamental to our strategy to drive growth.

Thuraya has a lot of goodwill in the market and the response we are receiving is tremendous. In addition to our next-generation broadband portfolio, we are showcasing our latest solutions, including the award-winning and immensely popular Thuraya MarineStar and Push-To-Talk solutions.   

How important is the Asia-Pacific market for Thuraya?

The Asia-Pacific region has always been vital for our mobility business. Thuraya has been active in the market for more than 15 years and our customers in the region are familiar with our technology. Other various solutions and products are among the most popular and most selling products in this part of the world.

Our recent spike in maritime service revenues is driven largely by Asia. As regional economies develop, there is a corresponding surge in demand for satellite services in the region. We see great opportunities for growth especially in the IoT and maritime sectors. Fisheries, utilities and agriculture hold a lot of promise. So, yes this is a very important region for us and central to our expansion plans.

How many countries you are actively servicing in this region right now? Please shed light on your expansion plans.

Today, we cover all countries in the region and are licensed to service most of them.  Our Asia Partner conference was attended by more than 25 entities from the region, representing key markets including Vietnam, Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, China, Indonesia, and Australia.  We have big plans to expand in the IoT and maritime sectors, and are aiming for a big push in Southeast Asia. 

In your opinion, what are the key strengths that make Thuraya stand out among the crowd as an outstanding SATCOM provider? 

I would say our resilient satellite network and strong and enduring partnerships. Innovation is in our DNA and our next-generation broadband portfolio addresses diversified market requirements. It is bound to be a game-changer when launched. Our pricing model is extremely flexible and the pay-per-use subscription packages are ideal for value-conscious customers. Rather than a satcom provider, we see ourselves as a solution provider and technology enabler, providing customized capabilities to meet diversified needs. 

When are you launching your Next Generation mobility broadband portfolio?

The Thuraya 4-NGS satellite, scheduled for launch in the first half of 2024,  is part of Thuraya's transformational program to build a new and comprehensive ecosystem by upgrading all three segments, namely space; ground; products and solutions.  (Artist rendition of the satellite courtesy of Thuraya).

We will be launching it next year soon after the expected launch of our sixth satellite-Thuraya 4-NGS-in the first half of 2024. 

What are your immediate priorities, say for the next 6 months?

We are preparing for the launch of Thuraya 4-NGS satellite system in the first half of 2024, which is a key driver of our next-generation transformational program. In parallel, we will be launching our next generation mobility broadband portfolio. 

Those are our top two priorities, which will allow us to venture into segments needing advanced satcom capabilities. At the same time, we are exploring new opportunities and strengthening existing partnerships to fortify our distribution channels. 

Thuraya is the mobility arm of the UAE's Yahsat, where the space economy is thriving. How is Thuraya positioning itself within this rapidly growing sector?

A top-10 satellite operator (in terms of revenue) reaching 80% of the global population, Yahsat is one of the key drivers of the UAE’s space economy. Last year, Yahsat’s revenue grew by 6%, and Thuraya’s share was 19% or 1/5th of the total revenue. 

This will give you an indication of how important the mobility business is for us. The new satellite and the next-generation broadband portfolio allow us flexibility to tap into new market segments and opportunities, ensuring further growth and expansion.