New Ministry of Foreign Affairs satellite network launched

Kuwait City, 10th April 2006
A new satellite-based network which provides secure and reliable communications between all Kuwaiti embassies and consulates across the world was launched today at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs annual meeting opened by the Amir of Kuwait, H.H. Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al Sabah.

The network - designed and implemented by Gulfsat, a subsidiary of the United Networks Company - provides voice, data and video conferencing communications to link all 63 Kuwaiti embassies and consulates worldwide.

The network allows embassy staff to send emails and faxes, make telephone calls and communicate in 'real time' through video conferencing. The network uses two privately-owned satellites to link the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Kuwait to all its embassies and consulates and also allows those offices to communicate with each other. As a satellite-based system it does not use the internet or the telecommunications infrastructure of any one particular country.

The network was officially launched at the annual meeting of Heads of Foreign Missions at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Kuwait City hosted by the Kuwaiti Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Al-Sheikh Dr. Mohammed Al-Sabah.

Mr Imad Hayat, the United Networks Chairman, said the system is ideal for any international organization that needs to communicate efficiently to a global office network:

"The network we have built for the Kuwaiti Foreign Ministry would suit any organization that needs to communicate regularly with its offices around the world - and would be especially useful for companies that have offices in remote places or where the telecommunications infrastructure is poor. This system allows efficient and secure communications to some very remote parts of the world by avoiding unreliable and unsafe land-based telecommunications systems and the internet," he said.

Technical details on the Gulfsat network for the Kuwaiti Ministry of Foreign Affairs: