YahClick, a satellite broadband internet service of UAE based Yahsat (Al Yah Satellite Communications) officially launched at an event in Islamabad, Pakistan.
Customers across Pakistan will now be able to instantly connect to satellite broadband via a small satellite dish and modem where other wireless and wired networks usually fail to reach and provide their services.
With the initial launch in Pakistan, Yahsat has agreed with local partners including Clicksat, Supernet to be their distributors in the country for YahClick broadband services. Nexlinx is soon to be next. Customers in Pakistan will need to reach these local services providers to avail YahClick satellite broadband services.
The company has its presence in 28 countries with its YahClick services. While the service has also been operating in Pakistan as a soft launch, it’s already been linked across country’s most important infrastructure, including over 154 ATM machines for banks which are located isolated remote areas. The service has also been adapted by 1,600 students and also supporting election offices in remote areas.
“YahClick provides essential connectivity to SMEs, SOHO, healthcare and education providers, entrepreneurs, high net worth individuals, remote VIP sites, O&G, NGOs, and connectivity deprived populations in disaster zones.”
If you are not familiar with satellite broadband services, you must continue reading to know what is it, how does it work and how much expensive it could be comparatively to other terrestrial (wired/wireless) internet services.
What is Satellite Internet and How does it Work?
Simple and brief description would be; unlike other terrestrial internet services (whether wired or wireless), satellite internet requires a (transmitter/receiver) dish and a network operations center (NOC) or modem on earth to make it work.
Satellite Internet’s first impression always give a consumer a thought that the internet service is being provided from a satellite. That’s true but a satellite only works as a medium to ship the service to end users on earth. Service providers setup internet backbones with NOC and gateways which keep connected to and having two-way communication with an orbiting geostationary satellite. The satellites, then, deliver the services to end-users via receiver dish and a modem.
Taking YahClick as an example satellite internet service, you can take a look at following flow of service how does it reach from satellite to consumer.
Well, the satellite internet services are usually expensive than conventional internet and doesn’t suppose to be acquired by individual home consumers – specially where already are a bunch of internet services consumers can adapt. Instead, businesses located at remote or isolated areas usually have to buy satellite broadband services to stay connected to the other world.
Statements from officials:
“Our consumer launch in Pakistan is a significant milestone for YahClick. Regulatory approval by the Pakistani authorities for consumer use, paves the way for us to continue our global growth strategy in this promising market.” – said Masood M. Sharif Mahmood, Chief Executive Officer at Yahsat.
“The exceptional demand in the rural and underserved communities across Afghanistan and the whole of Africa has led to YahClick’s rapid growth to become the largest satellite internet provider in Africa and a dominant player in the Afghan market. We are confident that with this launch of our service in Pakistan, we will attract even more business and home users who are striving to for better connectivity and access to global online, social, cultural and knowledge communities,” added Mr. Mahmood.
Mr. Mahmood continued –“YahClick will help Pakistan accelerate its economic growth and social development by improving access to information and reducing operational costs for internet access in the most remote and currently underserved areas. Giving businesses instantaneous access to global market intelligence, students the tools to reach information sources from anywhere and health care professionals the ability to connect with colleagues and experts are the important ways in which YahClick will improve the daily lives of people across Pakistan.”
