Arabsat

Arabsat, or the Arab Satellite Communications Organization, is a regional satellite operator established in 1976 by Arab states under the Arab League to coordinate satellite communications infrastructure and services.

Headquartered in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Arabsat is owned and governed by its member states. The organization operates under a governance framework that includes a General Assembly and a Board of Directors comprised of representatives from member states.

Arabsat manages a fleet of geostationary satellites that provide broadcast, telecommunications, and data services to customers across the Middle East, Africa, and beyond. Its networks carry television programming, enterprise data services, and Internet backbones, delivered via fixed or mobile platforms and VSAT.

Since the 1980s, Arabsat has launched multiple satellites to expand capacity, coverage, and technology. Notable satellites have included a series of core platforms; in the late 2010s to early 2020s, the fleet has incorporated high-throughput and broadband capabilities. The organization has used international launch services, including Arianespace and SpaceX, to place satellites into orbit.

Arabsat continues to evolve to meet growing demand for digital broadcasting, broadband, and secure communications in the region, with ongoing projects to modernize its fleet and services and explore new orbital slots and services.