
Paris, Riyadh, 2 February 2017 - Checking emails and social networks, streaming live content at 36,000 feet are poised to become reality at the end of this year for passengers connected to Taqnia Space Aero services' platform following an agreement between Eutelsat Communications (NYSE Euronext Paris: ETL), one of the worlds leading satellite operators, and Taqnia Space (TSC), owned by the Public Investment Fund (PIF) of Saudi Arabia. The multi-million dollar, multi-year deal covers spotbeam capacity on the EUTELSAT 3B satellite in order to provide HTS connectivity services to Taqnia Space Airline clients over the Middle East, North Africa, Mediterranean and Europe regions.
Exceptional take-up of in-flight services
Bandwidth on EUTELSAT 3B will support live TV, on-board voice / GSM and broadband connectivity from third quarter 2017 on commercial aircraft connected to the TSC Aero platform. Saudi Arabian Airlines, one of the leading airlines in the Middle East, will be the first commercial airline to connect to the platform. Saudi Arabian Airlines will equip its entire fleet, enabling passengers to enjoy the Taqnia Space Connectivity package through their devices - laptops, tablets, smartphones - on domestic flights in Saudi Arabia and international flights over the Middle East, North Africa, the Mediterranean and Europe.
Abdullah Al-Osaimi, CEO of Taqnia Space, commented: Thiscooperation with Eutelsat empowers Taqnia Space in the fast-changing landscape of in-flight services. It supports our strategy to expand our TSC Aero platform to global coverage and capacity in order to satisfy demand driven by regional and international commercial airlines. Adding EUTELSAT 3B satellite capacity to the TSC Aero platform is a continuation of a growth plan initiated a few years back with the 5C satellite over the Middle East that will be followed by two major satellite projects, SGS-1 (2018) and 6D (2019).
Having the King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology(KACST) as the prime technology and R&D partner in the TSC Aero platform project provided invaluable support to the development of the first Saudi Aero Satellite Service Solution, added Al-Osaimi.
The only way to go is satellite
Taqnia Space will use four High Throughput Ka-band spotbeams on the EUTELSAT 3B satellite that have been steered by Eutelsat to cover flight paths extending from London to Saudi Arabia and from Casablanca to Oman.
A new level of connectivity
Rodolphe Belmer, CEO of Eutelsat, concluded: Satellite technology naturally comes into play in the in-flight connectivity market thanks to its ability to deliver a best-in-class service across large territories. We are delighted that the efficiency that can be achieved with the Ka-band multi-beam configuration on EUTELSAT 3B has won the confidence of Taqnia. This venture is an opportunity for long-term cooperation with a major player in Saudi Arabias innovation development ecosystem.
About Taqnia
TAQNIA SPACE (TSC) is a Saudi Company owned by Saudi PIF (Public Investment Fund). TSC objectives include technology transfer, commercializing technology, supporting sustainable growth of the GDP, diversifying the economy, and creating high quality jobs. TSC vision is to be a leader in the Middle East as satellites manufacturer, operator and service provider targeting different market segments, Satellite Communications and offering voice, data, & video services. The Company also provides high value remote sensing Data and images.
About Eutelsat Communications
Established in 1977, Eutelsat Communications (Euronext Paris: ETL, ISIN code: FR0010221234) is one of the worlds leading and most experienced operators of communications satellites. The company provides capacity on 39 satellites to clients that include broadcasters and broadcasting associations, pay-TV operators, video, data and Internet service providers, enterprises and government agencies.
Eutelsat's satellites provide ubiquitous coverage of Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia-Pacific and the Americas, enabling video, data, broadband and government communications to be established irrespective of a user's location.
Headquartered in Paris, with offices and teleports around the globe, Eutelsat represents a workforce of 1,000 men and women from 37 countries who are experts in their fields and work with clients to deliver the highest quality of service.
For more about Eutelsat please visit www.eutelsat.com
Press
Vanessa O'Connor Tel: 33 1 53 98 37 91 voconnor@eutelsat.com
Marie-Sophie Ecuer Tel: 33 1 53 98 37 91 mecuer@eutelsat.com
Investors and analysts
Joanna Darlington Tel. : 33 1 53 98 35 30 jdarlington@eutelsat.com
C dric Pugni Tel. : 33 1 53 98 35 30 cpugni@eutelsat.com
Follow us at:
Attached Files PDF document
Share this
Most recent headlines
05/01/2027
Worlds first 802.15.4ab-UWB chip verified by Calterah and Rohde & Schwarz to be ...
07/10/2026
Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, today announced the latest Long-Term Supported (LTS) release of Dalet Flex. Build...
06/09/2026
June 9 2026, 23:00 (PDT) Dolby and MagentaTV Bring Fans Closer to the FIFA Worl...
16/08/2026
Virtual drummer joins line-up
The latest release from Gospel Musicians adds a virtual drummer to the company's line-up, combining a pair of meticulously...
15/08/2026
In-ear monitoring line-up gains new universal models
In-ear monitoring experts JH Audio have just announced a significant expansion of their Universal-Fit r...
15/08/2026
14 August 2026 | Johannesburg - The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF), a...
15/08/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
15/08/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
15/08/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
15/08/2026
Add rounded corners to mask in After Effects
Graham Quince August 14, 2026
0 Comments
Ever wished you could smoothly round the corners of a Mask Path ...
15/08/2026
Director Go Riju's Rhapsody Rhapsody Shot on Blackmagic PYXIS 6K
Brie Clayton August 14, 2026
0 Comments
Anamorphic cinematography and color gradi...
14/08/2026
AT&T returns as a sponsor of the DirtFish Women in Motorsport (WiM) Summit, which marks its fifth year Aug. 21-22 in Snoqualmie, WA. This year's event will ...
14/08/2026
A six-camera flypack production will anchor Sunday's game while Perfect Game...
14/08/2026
Latest instalment delivers disco-inspired grooves
The latest addition to UJAM's virtual drum line-up has been designed with contemporary pop, disco, dan...
14/08/2026
Elite range gains giant 24-inch powered sub
The latest expansion of Yorkville's Elite range introduces what the company say is the world's first act...
14/08/2026
The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF), an agency of the Department of Ar...
14/08/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
14/08/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
14/08/2026
Leading Brazilian Broadcaster Will Use Triveni Digital's TV 3.0 Broadcast Chain and Service Quality Assurance Solutions to Support Next-Generation Televisio...
14/08/2026
Beam Dynamics will make its IBC debut this September, marking a major step in the company's growth. Beam helps broadcast, live production and professional A...
14/08/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
14/08/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
14/08/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
14/08/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
14/08/2026
amaran, pioneer of lighting tools for creators, today announced the amaran Mic, a 99 wireless desktop microphone that brings the brand into audio for creators ...
14/08/2026
Creative COW Roundtable: Introduction to the New After Effects Assistant - AEAI
Brie Clayton August 13, 2026
0 Comments
On August 23, 2026 at 9am PDT/...
14/08/2026
Life on Waves Posted with DaVinci Resolve Studio
Brie Clayton August 13, 2026
0 Comments
Collaborative editing and color grading workflow supported by...
14/08/2026
Why Bulletproof Video Project Archiving Is Non-Negotiable
John Carboni August 13, 2026
0 Comments
In video production, the work is far from over when ...
14/08/2026
Stacked with Boston Conservatory Talent, Shakespeare on the Common Celebrates It...
14/08/2026
Indonesia is taking charge of its AI future.
This week, the Ministry of Communi...
14/08/2026
Friday 14 August 2026
Breaking news! Sky releases trailer for The Paper, return...
14/08/2026
It's been one year since our client, Cotswolds Designer Outlet, opened its doors and we've loved seeing the scheme come to life. Together, we've hel...
13/08/2026
LaLiga has renewed broadcast agreements with ESPN and DSports covering Spanish-l...
13/08/2026
Three days of skateboarding competitions, live music, and other programming will...
13/08/2026
Matrox Video will showcase its portfolio of IP and software-defined technologies at IBC2026 (Booth 7.B15, RAI Amsterdam, September 11-14).
The portfolio includ...
13/08/2026
SMPTE will present expert-led sessions, professional workshops, and networking events at IBC2026. The organization will be located in the IBC2026 Owner Pavilion...
13/08/2026
Clear-Com will exhibit at IBC2026 (Stand 10.D29, September 11-14, Amsterdam), showcasing FreeSpeak Cell, Avalon IP Station, updates to Arcadia Central Station, ...
13/08/2026
Advanced Systems Group (ASG) has appointed Eran Binyamin Zeitoun as Senior Techn...
13/08/2026
Miami HEAT, Florida Panthers, Orlando Magic, University of Miami join leading vendors for a day of gameday-production talk in South Florida
The 2026 SVG Venues...
13/08/2026
NBC Sports is producing the Twins-Phillies game alongside the streamer, which is...
13/08/2026
Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI) will exhibit at IBC2026 (Hall 5, Booth 5.A21, September 11-14, Amsterdam), demonstrating cloud-based workflows across low-late...
13/08/2026
Dalet will participate in the IBC2026 Accelerator Media Innovation Programme, co...
13/08/2026
Cox Media Group (CMG) has announced multi-year local broadcast rights agreements...
13/08/2026
J nger Audio will join Fraunhofer IIS and industry partners to showcase a cloud-based, DTV+-compliant workflow at SET Expo 2026 in S o Paulo, August 17-20. DTV+...
13/08/2026
IBC has announced that Olympic Broadcasting Services (OBS) will receive the Inte...
13/08/2026
NESN has partnered with WSBK-TV38 to broadcast Boston Red Sox games on August 17 and 18 over the air, extending the reach of the 24th annual WEEI/NESN Jimmy Fun...
13/08/2026
LiveU and Panasonic LUMIX have announced the Live Anywhere workflow, demonstrated at NAB 2026 and InfoComm 2026 in collaboration with Social180Group. The work...
13/08/2026
Chyron will demonstrate its sports analysis, graphics, remote production, virtual production, and venue control solutions at IBC2026 (Booth 7.A23). This year...
13/08/2026
Ratings Roundup is a rundown of recent ratings news and is derived from press re...
13/08/2026
Season tips off Oct. 20 and runs through April 11; Christmas Day, NBA Cup, All-S...