Al Yah Satellite Communications Company (Yahsat) today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Microsoft Gulf to potentially offer YahClick online services based on ‘Microsoft Live’ to Middle East, Africa and South-West Asia. Microsoft Live is a set of Internet-based services designed for consumers and small businesses interested in creating a website or storing and sharing documents online. The co-operation will help address the challenges faced by regions with limited or no internet connectivity and improve the overall information and communication technology (ICT) landscape.

 

The collaboration will allow YahClick – the advance broadband satellite internet service from Yahsat - to offer ‘Microsoft Live’ based online services e.g. email, Customer relationship management, SharePoint, Health Vault etc. to consumers, businesses and government, wherever appropriate or applicable. The Yahsat and Microsoft partnership will focus on connected industry frameworks like government, healthcare, education, tourism, government, citizen portals and e- services. The two organizations will also collaborate in developing awareness and training programs that aim at building IT capacity within markets served, to lead social and economical transformation in the public and private sector.

 

Commenting on the agreement with Yahsat, Charbel Fakhoury, Regional General Manager, Microsoft Gulf said, "Microsoft's software plus services platform provides the best choice for organizations like Yahsat to drive their business on and off the Web. With important tools that make transferring workloads easier, users and organizations get the best of both worlds: the convenience of a cloud-based model and the reliability, flexibility and compliance of on-premise software. Coupled with the Microsoft Connected Government Framework, Yahsat will now have the flexibility to deliver tailored IT services to their customers through a dedicated or shared hosting environment thereby enabling faster time to market and increased business opportunities while operating in a cost-efficient manner. Microsoft is pleased to be associated with Yahsat as we commence work across several areas ranging from the provision of connected government services; social community initiatives and knowledge transfer and capacity building programs."

 

“In Microsoft, we have found the right partner with the expertise, software solutions and service applications that perfectly fit with our requirements and help us in bridging the digital divide.” said Shawkat Ahmed, Chief Commercial Officer, Yahsat. “Today we take another step towards playing a key role in the economic development of the nations we cover by connecting rural and urban communities and creating informed societies.”

 

Yahsat's reliable, cost-effective and state-of-the-art satellite broadband service "YahClick" will fast track the deployment of broadband service and bring the internet to millions of underserved and unserved people and organizations at costs comparable to terrestrial services.

 

 

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About Microsoft Gulf:

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (NASDAQ:'MSFT') is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential. Microsoft Gulf opened its Dubai-based headquarters in 1991. Microsoft Gulf today oversees Microsoft activities in Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and UAE. Microsoft Corporation's address on the World Wide Web is: www.microsoft.com and Microsoft’s Gulf Web site is: www.microsoft.com/gulf

 

About Al Yah Satellite Communications Company (Yahsat)

 

Yahsat is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mubadala Development Company (Mubadala) providing multi-purpose satellite communications services to commercial and governmental clients in the Middle East, Africa, Europe and South-West Asia.

With a wide portfolio of voice, data, video and internet connectivity solutions, Yahsat satellites are designed based on market requirements and future applications.

 

Yahsat is partnering with a consortium composed of EADS Astrium, Thales and Alenia Space to build a multi-purpose satellite communications system. The first satellite Y1A is currently being built and will be launched in the first quarter of 2011, and Y 1B will follow in the second half of 2011.

 http://www.yahsat.ae/