Egypt is due to launch its first-ever communications satellite under the name “TIBA-1”, on November 22. TIBA-1 is set to provide communication services to the government and commercial sectors.
TIBA-1 was developed by Airbus and Thales Alenia Space (TAS) French companies, and will be launched by Arianespace from Guiana Space Centre in Kourou, French Guiana, on “Ariane 5” rocket.
Launching TIBA-1 is in line with President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi’s directives to develop the ICT sector, and with the Sustainable Development Strategy, Egypt's Vision 2030, to attain development in all aspects.
TIBA-1 will drive development through providing a communications infrastructure and broadband Internet services to remote and marginalized areas, to support development projects in these areas. This is addition to bridging the digital divide between urban and rural areas.
In addition, TIBA-1 will contribute to the development of different sectors, including petrol, energy, mineral wealth, education, health and other government sectors. It will also support the State’s efforts to combat crimes and terrorism, and provide broadband Internet services for government and trade purposes.
Within the framework of Egypt’s efforts to cooperate with African countries, especially in light of its chairmanship of the African Union (AU) in 2019 and its hosting of the African Space Agency, TIBA-1 will provide Internet and communication services to a number of North African and Nile Basin countries.
TIBA-1 is the first of “TIBA Sat” series that Egypt plans to launch in the near future, and is expected to disrupt the communications industry in Egypt and Africa.
The involved companies have completed testing the satellite systems to make sure they are safe and not affected by shipping, as well as the mechanical and electrical twins between the satellite and the launching pad. In addition, the fuel tanks that will allow the satellite to stay in orbit for 15 years, have been filled.
The Egyptian government will handle managing and controlling TIBA-1 after being launched.
