Thuraya Satellite Phone

Thuraya satellite phones are quite popular because they are extremely convenient and they have some of the lowest airtime prices in the world. Thuraya was established in April 1997 in the UAE as a private joint stock company. Twenty-one private telecommunications operators and investment houses make up Thuraya's shareholder base. Thuraya launched in 2001 and their satellite phone can be used in 99 countries, mostly in Europe, the Middle East, the Mediterranean, and Africa.

Thuraya has 2 satellites and a third being built by Boeing Satellite Systems. The satellites have a 12-15 year life and each have a 40 foot, L-band transmit-receive reflector. The reflector and Boeings' digital signal combine to create an active phased-array antenna (Alphatelecom.ru). The antenna can handle up to 13,750 phone calls at the same time.

A Thuraya satellite telephone is quite small and compact and looks quite a bit like a GSM phone. In fact, Thuraya phones have a mix of satellite and GSM capabilities. Thuraya has roaming agreements with many GSM providers around the world for use when satellite service is not required. Thuraya was really the first company to mix satellite and terrestrial services into one handset. Hughes and Ascom manufacture the Thuraya handsets.

Thuraya satellite phones:

• Weigh about 2 pounds
• Have a lithium ion battery
• Have a multi-language user manual
• Provide SMS capabilities
• Data and fax up to 9600 bps
• Last ten calls listed
• Satellite talk time of 2.4 hours and GSM time of 4 hours
• Standby time: satellite 34.1 hours and GSM 33.3 hours
• GPS location transmission
• 2 alarm clocks
• Clock and date
• Are for use in the most remote areas of the world
• Have 24 hour support 365 days a year

Thuraya satellite phones can be rented from Cell Hire (Cellhire.com) for $125/week or $350/month. You can buy a Thuraya phone from GMPCS (Gmpcs-us.com).

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