A group of Kuwaiti and Jordanian TV companies have come together to establish a new $500m satellite operation based in Dubai. 'SmartSat' will build and launch the region's first privately-owned satellite. The company is a joint venture between Smartlink, the Jordanian broadband satellite services provider and a Kuwaiti investment firm. With an aim of improving the quality of services offered by internet service providers, GSM providers, television companies and others, SmartSat will primarily serve the MENA region as well as international markets such as Eastern Europe.