Thuraya-2, sent into orbit from Sea Launch's pad in the Pacific Ocean, separated from the launch vehicle about one hour and 40 minutes after the launch at 6:56 pm UAE time (1456 GMT), the United Arab Emirates-based company said in a statement.

A few minutes later, the first signals were received confirming normal operation, it said.

"We are extremely pleased with the success of Thuraya-2. It will build on our current achievements and enable us to substantially expand our satellite capacity," Thuraya chairman Mohammad Omran said.

"It will open up directions of growth and help us expand into new markets or diversify into new satellite-based applications," he said.

The satellite, controlled from Abu Dhabi, will allow communications links across 100 nations in the Middle East, Europe, north and central Africa and south and central Asia.

"The newest light in the heavens is Thuraya-2, a mobile communications satellite that will help connect users on the move within a vast area of the globe," said Dave Ryan, president of Boeing Satellite Systems, in a statement released here.

Thuraya-2, designed to operate for 12 years, is a Boeing geo-mobile model satellite built by Boeing Satellite Systems of El Segundo, California, which also designed and built the ground system and supplied handsets for the Thuraya network.

The launch was viewed live via broadcast link at a Dubai hotel in a ceremony organized by Thuraya.

Abu Dhabi-based Thuraya is an independent company established in 1997 by the UAE state-owned Etisalat telecoms monopoly, with more than 15 regional service providers and investment firms in partnership.

The 15 Arab companies include Etisalat (26 percent), Abu Dhabi Investment Company (20 percent), Arabsat (10 percent) and Q-Tel of Qatar (10 percent).

Sea Launch of Long Beach, California, also oversaw the launch of the first Thuraya satellite in October 2000.

SPACE.WIRE