Hughes Network Systems announced that it has made its first shipment of advanced Ka-band gateway equipment and satellite terminals to Al Yah Satellite Communications Company PrJSC (Yahsat), based in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The shipment of four system gateways, Network Control Center (NCC), and initial order of Ka-band terminals will be used by Yahsat to provide its "YahClick" next-generation, high-speed satellite Internet service. Expected to launch in 2012, the new service has been specifically developed to bring high-performance broadband access to unserved and underserved regions of the Middle East, Africa, and Southwest Asia, and is on target to reach 26 countries.

Commenting on the announcement, Jassem Al Zaabi, Yahsat CEO, said, "This initial shipment of equipment is significant as it follows the successful conclusion of the Critical Design Review. With this on-schedule shipment, Yahsat is on track to have the YahClick ground system in place and ready for our Y1B satellite launch. It is a major milestone to realize our vision of bringing cost-effective, high-speed Internet service to millions of underserved and unserved people and organizations in countries across the Middle East, North Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa, and South West Asia."

In addition to providing gateways and terminals, Hughes is also under contract to deliver a complete OSS/BSS solution (Operational Support System and Business Support System), as well as to operate and maintain the network for a three-year period.

Bahram Pourmand, executive vice president, International Division at Hughes, said, "Hughes takes great pride in meeting its customer commitments--in this case, successfully completing the Critical Design Review and Factory Acceptance Tests, as well as demonstrating a number of key features, functionalities, and performance specifications of our proven Ka-band technology, thereby setting the stage to power Yahsat's service starting next year."

Installation of the four gateways and Network Control Center (NCC) in Europe and the UAE is expected to be completed in November 2011, enabling the commissioning and testing of the YahClick service once the satellite is launched.