Case Study

Thuraya Satellite Telecommunications

21 pages
November 2006
Reference: IMD-3-1622

Mobile satellite services, an industry which incurred huge initial investment costs and required a critical mass of users to break even, had emerged as a niche market with little evidence for large-scale growth. In 1997, Thuraya Satellite Telecomunications was established with a unique business model – instead of launching many satellites to provide global services, Thuraya, employing a more advanced technology, launched one high-quality satellite to provide regional services as a start to ensure early break-even. In addition, as opposed to competing against fixed-line and cellular services, the company chose to complement with these services. By September 2005, with a solid financial base and an impressive business performance, the company was considering its next growth options: 1) Focus on increasing utilization; 2) Expand services in Asia and establish an international image; and 3) Develop Multimedia. This case poses a question of how to further grow the company. Are they ready for a quantum leap? Which option(s) make sense? In which order and how should these options be implemented? And how to fund the growth?

Learning Objective

This case is designed to provide a thorough discussion of how companies can best drive growth. It explores growth via exploiting geographic competencies, growth by building on core competencies, and growth by product/market diversification. It also provides a vehicle for discussing the challenges of managing global expansion and rapidly changing technology in a non-traditional setting.

Keywords
Global Growth, Initial Public Offering
Settings
Middle East
1997-2005
Type
Field Research
Copyright
© 2006
Available Languages
English
Related material
Teaching note
Case clearing houses
IMD case studies are distributed through case clearing houses. In order to browse the collection and purchase copies please visit the links below.

The Case Centre

Cranfield University

Wharley End Beds MK43 0JR, UK
Tel +44 (0)1234 750903
Email [email protected]

Harvard Business School Publishing

60 Harvard Way, Boston MA 02163, USA
Tel (800) 545-7685 Tel (617)-783-7600
Fax (617) 783-7666
Email [email protected]

Asia Pacific Case Center

NUCB Business School

1-3-1 Nishiki Naka
Nagoya Aichi, Japan 460-0003
Tel +81 52 20 38 111
Email [email protected]

Contact

Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications

Discover our latest research
IMD's faculty and research teams publish articles, case studies, books and reports on a wide range of topics