Thuraya Satellite Phones
Thuraya offers a range of small high quality handsets. Docking stations with privacy handsets are available for indoor or vehicular applications.
Thuraya currently has three phone models available, including the budget friendly Thuraya XT Lite, the XT PRO with a built in SOS button, and the dual SIM, dual mode, Thuraya XT Dual.
Features at a Glance
- Voice communications with satellite phones or fixed terminals are readily available as well as SMS, short message service.
- 15 kbit/s uplink and 60 kbit/s downlink speed with "GMPRS" mobile data service on Thuraya satellite phones
- A number of other services, such as call waiting, missed calls, voicemail, etc.
- A one-way "high-power alert" capability that notifies users of an incoming call, when the signal path to the satellite is obstructed. The geostationary nature of the service implies high round trip times from satellite to earth leading to a noticeable lag being present during voice calls.
Thuraya XT LITE Satellite Phone
The Thuraya XT LITE provides unmatched value with reliable satellite phone connectivity. Designed with the cost conscious user in mind, the Thuraya XT LITE provides you with the best priced satellite phone on the market with a clear and stable connection . Easy-to-use, the XT LITE allows you to make phone calls and send SMS messages in satellite mode, regardless of the location.
Thuraya XT PRO Satellite Phone
The Thuraya XT-Pro may be the most advanced satellite phone on the planet. It's certainly the best on offer from Thuraya. With a generous 100 hours of standby time and 10 hours of talk time, it's the battery life front runner in the satellite phone industry. Having such long standby and talk time means the Thuraya XT-Pro can be used whenever needed, even if you're nowhere near a charging station.
The XT-Pro is designed with a special durable housing and comes standard with hardened, glare resistant Gorilla® glass to meet the most challenging environments head on. The screen allows for greater visibility in the sun with an automatic brightness sensor to adjusts the backlight of your display. The phone is shock proof, as well as jet water and dust resistant. Making it robust enough for any condition.
With XT-PRO you can choose your preferred navigational system and select between GPS (Global Positioning System), BeiDou (China's satellite positioning system) and Glonass (Russia's satellite positioning system) for pin point accuracy in each region.
Thuraya XT PRO Dual Satellite Phone
The Thuraya XT-Pro Dual is the first satellite phone to incorporate dual SIM technology, to further strengthen the security and versitility offered by the company. With a standby time of 100 hours and a talk time of 11 hours, it's the longest offered by any satellite handset.
The XT-Pro Dual is resistant to shocks, splashes and sand making it a rugged model to ensure communications in every situation. Enjoy 2, 3, and 4G connections anywhere in the world thanks to GSM mode with the extra SIM. The XT-Pro Dual is a high-quality terminal designed and manufactured to satisfy the needs of professionals from various industries, including the business, energy, governmental, media, and non-governmental sectors.
Thuraya Phone Plans
Europa Satellite offers both prepaid and monthly-billed postpaid service plans for Thuraya . Plans with voice minutes, SMS messages, and GmPRs internet bundles are also available for purchase.
Thuraya Satellite Phone Coverage Map
Thuraya's robust satellite network provides coverage in the most remote locations, ensuring congestion-free satellite communications to keep you connected at all times. From innovative satellite design to the reliability of each Thuraya device and accessory, we provide a truly superior satellite communication solution beyond the boundaries of terrestrial systems and cellular networks.
The Thuraya network does not cover north or south America.
Understanding the Thuraya Coverage Map
The dark blue area on the Thuraya Coverage Map represents the primary coverage region of the Thuraya network. A list of covered countries is also available. There may be weaker coverage in the lighter blue areas.
Even in the primary coverage locations, coverage can be obstructed by nearby terrain features such as mountains or trees. To make phone calls, you need to have a direct line of site between yourself and the Thuraya satellite.
It is recommended that Thuraya users make sure they know how to make calls before leaving for a remote location. If you have a pre-paid Thuraya SIM card, make sure to know how to check the account balance and reload it.
With a GSM-cellular capable Thuraya phones like the Thuraya XT LITE, there will be additional GSM cellular coverage in many countries. Regional operators will charge different rates and some advanced features of the Thuraya phone might not be supported by all GSM operators. As a general rule, GSM operators in third world countries will charge more for calls than the cost of Thuraya satellite-mode calls.
Thuraya Phone FAQs
Why do people need satellite phones?
Satellite phones allow you to communicate anywhere there is no reliable land lines or cellular service. Satellites are not affected by natural disasters like earthquakes, hurricanes, tornadoes, etc., because they are in space and don’t rely on land-based infrastructure.
Should I rent or own a satellite phone?
If you need a satellite phone for more than six weeks a year, then purchasing a phone is probably your best bet. If you spend less than one month a year in regions without reliable landline or cellular coverage, we suggest a satellite phone rental.
If I buy multiple satellite phones can they share one SIM card?
No, if you want to use each satellite phone on its own, each one will need a SIM card. A satellite SIM card can be moved to another compatible phone, but to make calls, each satellite phone needs its own SIM card with an active monthly plan or prepaid airtime. Thuraya offers prepaid airtime options to fit any budget. If your Thuraya Prepaid SIM card expires, your airtime will be removed from the card but you will have a window to purchase a refill. Outside this window, you will need to purchase a new SIM card and also receive a new number at the time you activate the new card.
Do I pay long distance or roaming charges with satellite phones?
There are no long distance or roaming charges with the Thuraya satellite network.
About Thuraya
A satellite communications company headquartered in the UAE. The name "Thuraya" comes from the Arabic word for "the Pleiades", which is the constellation of stars that are named after the seven daughters of the Titan god Atlas and the ocean nymph Pleione in Greek Mythology. The company operates two satellites on an L-band network, providing telecommunications coverage across 161 countries in Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Asia, Australia and the rest of Oceania.
Thuraya, is a mobile satellite services subsidiary of the global satellite operator Yahsat. It is wholly owned by Mubadala Investments Company. Thuraya offers satellite connectivity solutions for broadband and broadcast, for government, commercial, and individual communication alike. So whether you're an avid explorer heading off on the expedition of a lifetime, an NGO volunteer traveling from one country to another, or a multi national looking for efficiencies in logistics and communication, Thuraya has cutting edge solutions that help you stay connected.
