Egypt’s President urges optimum use of Tiba-1 telecoms satellite

CAIRO – 9 January 2021: Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah El Sisi has urged the optimal use of Tiba-1 satellite applications in a way that benefits the communications and information technology sector within the country.

The president’s remarks came as he met with Minister of Communications and Information Technology Amr Talaat, CEO of the Egyptian Space Agency Mohamed Afifi and other officials on Saturday.

Efforts to reach the optimal use of the Egyptian satellite are meant to especially benefit the government’s communication networks, which is being implemented, to connect the state’s administrative apparatus, the Presidency said.

These efforts come in preparation for the transition of the government to the New Administrative Capital. They would also benefit efforts of comprehensive development that is currently being implemented by the state nationwide.

As the Tiba-1 satellite is set to operate at full capacity during the second half of 2021, Sisi has reviewed with the officials the most prominent potential uses of the Egyptian satellite.

The satellite would “support the efforts of state agencies in all fields, particularly the efforts of developing and digitizing the state, combating crime and terrorist, and improving internet service in remote areas and for individuals and companies,” the Presidency said.

It would also contribute to “enhancing the performance of government sectors such as petroleum, energy and mineral wealth, trade, education and health,” the Presidency added.

Egypt has successfully launched in November 2019 the Tiba- 1 satellite to space after postponing the launching twice due to technical procedures.

Launching Tiba 1 will contribute to developing health, education, and energy fields, not to mention improving services in government sectors across Egypt.

It is named after Thebes or Tiba in Arabic, an ancient Egyptian capital the ruins of which lie within the modern southern city of Luxor.

The 5.6-tonne satellite made by Airbus and Thales Alenia Space (TAS) will remain in orbit for at least 15 years to provide “every inch” of Egypt with call and internet services, state officials said.

Director of the National Telecommunications Services Company Major General Abdel-Hamid Mostafa, Director of the Signal Department Staff Major General Tarek Al Zaher, and Assistant Director of Signal Department Major General Mohamed El-Bashary also attended the meeting.