The General Authority for Regulating the Telecommunication Sector(TRA) announced granting a Public Satellite Service License to Inmarsat, a pioneer in mobile satellite communications that has been powering global connectivity for more than three decades. The signing ceremony took place at TRA Abu Dhabi headquarters, and was attended by H.E. Hamad Obaid Al Mansoori, UAE TRA Director General, and Inmarsat’s Executive Vice President, Alison Horrocks.

The license grants Inmarsat permission to offer mobile satellite communication services to public and private sector users within the UAE, in the government, media, maritime and aviation sectors.  Additionally, Inmarsat’s services will also be available to support humanitarian and emergency relief efforts in the UAE.

Commenting on this signing, H.E. Hamad Obaid Al Mansoori, UAE TRA Director General, stated: “UAE is on the threshold of an era of unsurpassed innovation at all levels and particularly the Space field. The importance of this license is stemmed from its direct impact on the ICT sector and the rapid advancements that UAE is undergoing to implement smart cities.  This license affirms our endeavor to elevating the telecommunications sector’s competiveness and positioning UAE among the globally leading countries in ICT.  Having Inmarsat operate in UAE will definitely open new frontiers for business, contribute to driving the sector to compete globally, and serve our strategy that aims at exploiting technology in saving lives and serving humanity.”

“These advancements also fall within the context of economic diversification and building a knowledge based economy. TRA’s strategic plan entails many projects and initiatives that will play a major role in enhancing the quality of telecom services provided in the UAE”. H.E. added

Alison Horrocks, Inmarsat’s Executive Vice President, stated that: “The granting of a Public Satellite Service License is a significant occasion for Inmarsat.  The United Arab Emirates has been a key hub for us for many years and we recognize the importance of the UAE and the whole GCC as a growth region for us.”

It is noteworthy to mention that Inmarsat was founded in 1979 by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), under the auspices of the United Nations, to help save lives at sea and, today, is the only authorized provider of the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) and provides global aviation services as well. Inmarsat has since evolved to provide global mobile broadband communication services to users on land, at sea and in the air.