The Minister of Transport, Maritime Affairs and Communication, Ahmet Arslan stated that the space, aviation and communication industry is a field where labor of the brain has gained more importance.
Minster Arslan went on to say that the Türksat and Inmarsat Strategic Partnership Launch event was of significant importance and that it will serve as an example for other partnerships in Turkey from now on.
Arslan emphasized that this partnership, in regards to the strategic goals, is just the beginning and a foreshadower of new collaborations and partnerships that will make Turkey even bigger in the satellite and space fields. He continued by saying that within the framework of universal norms this partnership is the beginning of efforts made in the name of increasing services provided to establishments and individuals.
Arslan explained that Türksat, along with being a satellite operator, also carries out business as cable TV operator and as the IT solution center for government establishment. He went on to state, that of Turkey’s four communication satellites in space, Türksat 2A, happens to be the oldest. Although it has completed its operational duties, it will continue to be used until 2019.
Arslan stated that operations regarding the new satellites were well on their way. Türksat 5A satellite which is set to operate in the 31⁰ East orbital location will be sent into space in the second half of 2018. Türksat 5B will be launched into its 42⁰ East orbital location in the first half of 2019, so that it could provide backup support and increase the current capacity.
Arslan noted that as part of the government’s strategic areas and added value operations, national projects are being realized one by one, and within this scope the Türksat 6A satellite will be completely domestic with its design and software, and is planned to be sent into space in 2020.
Arslan stated that the total budget for the project was 546 million liras, and besides commercial use as in television broadcast, Türksat 6A satellite will also be used for military communication purposes. He continued by saying that with Türksat 6A, Turkey will place amongst the other ten countries capable of manufacturing its own communication satellite.
Minister Arslan added that the draft law regarding the establishment of the Turkish Space Agency and other operations concerning space has come to the stage where it will be presented to parliament. He furthered his comment by saying that with the establishment of the space agency, Turkey will be at a level where faster advances will be made in the space technologies fields.
Arslan noted that in order to coordinate the projects carried out by various establishments the Higher Board of Space Strategies will be established where Prime Minister Binali Yıldırım will proceed as president and be accompanied by other ministries concerning this field, this way great advances will be made in regards to Turkey ‘s current infrastructure and capabilities in the space field.
Türksat has begun a strategic partnership with Inmarsat, a provider of mobile satellite communication services to ground, space and maritime industries. Within the scope of the contractual agreement signed on March 8 between Türksat and Inmarsat, it will allow Türksat to provide mobile satellite communication services in addition to the satellite communication services it already provides on a regional level.
Arslan noted that with the agreement between both companies, the sale of Inmarsat’s products to government establishments will be realized. He said:
“This will give one or more than one Turkish manufacturing company the opportunity to produce Inmarsat products. This is a very important opportunity. The promotion and sale of GX products with Inmarsat L Band, to government institutions and establishments, military establishments and aviation authorities in Turkey, will be done by Türksat from now on.”
Arslan stated that the ground station for future Insmarsat satellites will be established in Turkey as part of the partnership. He said:
“Operations with the intention of spreading the use of S Band in Turkey, in regards to this, these are operation where Inmarsat terminals are set to be produced in Turkey, once again this is an important leg of the partnership. With the sharing of knowledge and experience as part of the collaboration between both operators, the development of a strategic partnership based on doing business is an important goal of ours.
“Our strides must be faster and greater”
Arslan added that with the steps taken not only are collaborations developed on an international level but the nation gains important experience regarding space and aviation, he underlined that the capability of manufacturing of domestic products in this field has grown. Arslan said “Now, we must develop fields where the labor of the brain can be transferred along with physical labor. Within this framework the space, aviation and communication industry is a field where labor of the brain has gained more importance. Our strides must be faster and greater”
Minister Arslan underlined the importance of reducing foreign dependency to a minimum in the satellite technology field, increasing the current opportunities and capabilities, using the nation’s resources effectivity, and in this field turning knowledge into production and added value.
“Inmarsat’s 4th ground station will be established in Turkey.”
Türksat CEO Cenk Şen stated that Türksat’s main area of operation are satellite, cable TV and IT services, and as of current Turkey has 4 satellites in space. He went onto say that the most important two satellite were Türksat 4A and Türksat 4B and in line with the national goals the constant expansion of coverage area is necessary, and because of this reason they plan to send Türksat 5A, Türksat 5B and Türksat 6A satellites by the year 2020.
Şen noted that the purpose of the partnership with Inmarsat isn’t solely commercial, but a partnership oriented towards the transfer of technology is aimed. Inmarsat’s headquarters is located in England and was established in 1979. Şen explained that relations between Inmarsat, which provides mobile satellite communication services to ground, space and maritime fields, began in 2013. He added that the 4th ground station will be set up in Turkey where Inmarsat’s satellite service will be offered.
He added besides the transfer of technology with Inmarsat, operations regarding the utilization of satellite to provide broadband internet connection while flying are coming along well.
“Strategic Partnership with Türksat is highly attractive”
Inmarsat CEO Rupert Pearce emphasized that strategic partnership with Türksat is highly attractive “We continue to see our strategic partnership with Türksat as highly attractive and both Turkey and the Turkish economy as a very exciting place in which to invest.” Pearce stated that Inmarsat’s partnership with Türksat has not been affected despite recent events and made remarks on the failed coup attempt on July 15 by saying “Everyone watching the recent events unfold has been filled with admiration at the Turkish nation’s strength, resiliency and fortitude in troubled times.”
Pearce added that the strategic partnership between both companies holds great potential for similar areas of operation and the technological ecosystem in Turkey, as well as the Turkish economy. He continued:
“Inmarsat has invested more than $4 billion in new capabilities and continues to invest more than $500 million a year in R&D to serve our customers better. We believe this will make a vital contribution to the development of a pervasive digital society in Turkey.”
Pearce pointed out that the collaboration between Inmarsat and Türksat will have an impact on both a national and international level. He said, “I am confident that the future looks exceedingly bright for the Inmarsat-Turksat strategic collaboration and I look forward very much to us taking our first steps forward together”
Afterwards, in the town of Graz, Austria a plane using the aviation module took moving images of a boat on a river, where then the images obtained were later transmitted to Inmarsat’s satellite and through the Türksat VSAT terminal these images were conveyed to the room filled with attendees in Ankara.