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NewSat to provide satellite communications capacity for Middle East partner

The recent partnership has increased the value of Jabiru's total pre-launch service agreements to $571 million, said CEO Adrian Ballintine.
NewSat CEO, Adrian Ballintine (r) and Arianespace Chairman and CEO, Jean-Yves Le Gall at the signing of a service agreement for the Jabiru satellite

NewSat of Australia has inked a satellite communications deal, this time with a long-term US satellite partner.The recent partnership has increased the value of Jabiru’s total pre-launch service agreements to $571 million, said CEO Adrian Ballintine. The contract pertains to the acquisition of $13 million worth of satellite capacity that covers the Middle East. NewSat refused to name the customer due to competitive and commercial reasons. According to NewSat, its American customer has business ties with US government agency and global companies and it has been growing in the Middle East.

The recent partnership has increased the value of Jabiru’s total pre-launch service agreements to $571 million, said CEO Adrian Ballintine. The contract pertains to the acquisition of $13 million worth of satellite capacity that covers the Middle East.

The Ka-band capacity on the upcoming Jabiru-1 satellite will cover not only the Middle East, but Africa and Asia as well. The geostationary satellite will be NewSat’ s first, scheduled to be operational by 2014. The satellite is currently being built by Lockheed Martin.

NewSat has been raising funds for the Jabiru satellite communications fleet. As the satellite operator continues to attract customers in and out of Australia, foreign investors are reportedly buying into the Jabiru programme. The recent ASX-sponsored investment roadshows in the US and London attracted more than $7 million capital investments for NewSat.

Over the past months, NewSat has signed some of its biggest deals, including a $32.4 million five-year deal with a Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf (GCC) company and $67 million, ten-year agreement with a Middle Eastern telco.