Dubai's Telecommunications as it was in 1960s!

Internet, Emails and SMSs providing worldwide contacts are an accepted and expected part of life in modern Dubai. 40 years ago Dubai had very limited means of connecting with the outside world. Telex and "Snail Mail" were the primary means. Other Gulf States were in the same situation. Satellite Communication was in its infancy so Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Qatar and Bahrain looked to a Troposcatter based technology to deliver their communications needs.

What's Troposcatter?

The Troposphere exists at 10,000 meters above the Earth. At that point the density of the atmosphere varies irregularly. When radio waves are beamed into this atmosphere, some of the waves are reflected back to Earth. Large fixed Dish Aerials are needed to collect these scattered and weak radio signals. Troposcatter Communications Systems use this phenomena to transmit communications over long distances since transmission is not impeded by the Earth's curvature.

Dubai goes Troposcatter!!!

Sheikh Rashid appointed the British Telecomms Company Marconi (now part of Ericssons) to construct a Communications Station and Cable and Wireless to operate the service. Jebel Ali was chosen as the site. Communications Station needed to be located on high ground and Jebel Ali was the only high ground in Dubai. (Jebel means "mountain or hill" in Arabic) Work began in 1968 with Overseas Ast carrying out the construction work. Dubai's first Communications Station was commissioned in 1970 and provided telecommunication links to the outside world for the first time. But the system was antiquated by modern day standards. Anyone wanting to telephone overseas had to call the Operator and book a call. The Operator called back at the booked time and made the connection. There was no guarantee the Operator would call back at the booked time or the telephone connection would be reliable. Within a couple of years Sheikh Rashid had ordered a new Satellite Communications System to be installed. The Troposcatter System became redundant and eventually removed.

Impact of Jebel Ali Communications System

Jebel Ali was a remote area until the late 1960s. There was no road access or habitation in the area. Building the Station necessitated building an access road and providing accommodation for the construction workers and operating staff. The access "road" was initially a graded track but later developed into a road. Eventually the access road became the basis for a road to Abu Dhabi which enabled Jebel Ali Village to develop when work began on Jebel Ali Port.

SLIDESHOW: Construction Photos of Jebel Ali Communications Station.

Images in this Slideshow are provided by Ludwig Hertz. These unique photos show Dubai as it used to be!

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Work began in 1968. Here Labourers are digging trenches for foundations of one of the Troposcatter Antennae
Machines were also used to dig the foundation trenches. Here a bulldozer "eats" into Jebel Ali. Jebel means mountain or hill but as this photo shows Jebel Ali mainly comprises crumbling scree rock.
1969: Administration building under construction. This building appears to be in use today.
1969: Operations Building under construction. This building continues in use today.
1969: Operations Building under construction. This building continues in use today.
1968: Antenna foundations are being laid by hand.
1969: Foundations and Antenna installations completed.
1969: Control Room and Antennas.
Similar Troposcatter Antennas installed in Bahrain. They still exist but may not be operational.
1970 aerial view of Dubai completed Troposcatter Communications Station.
2009 Google Earth view of Dubai's Satellite Communications Station at Jebel Ali. Troposcatter Antennas were replaced by Satellite Tracking Dishes to provide Dubai with modern Telecommunication Services

Old Bastakia

Dubai's Telecommunications as it was in 1960s!

What's Troposcatter?

Dubai goes Troposcatter!!!

Impact of Jebel Ali Communications System

SLIDESHOW: Construction Photos of Jebel Ali Communications Station.

Sheikh Rashid