Thuraya must be celebrating. We received word that they have signed commercial partnerships with three Service Providers in the Asia Pacific rim. These partnerships further widen Thuraya’s distribution platform, and help with their portfolio of Thuraya communication products in the region. Thuraya, a mobile satellite operator, provides mobile handheld telephony, rural telephony, broadband, maritime and fleet management solutions.

  The first agreement was for the appointment of Hong Kong Satellite Communication International Ltd (HKSCI) as an international service provider (ISP). HKSCI has a history of specializing in satellite terminals and will be responsible for the distribution of Thuraya handheld telephony and ThurayaDSL, and the agreement ensures easier access to Thuraya’s voice and broadband services.

  The second agreement was for the appointment of a national service provider, and signed with Japan Digital Communications, a satellite solution provider in Japan which will also be marketing Thuraya’s SO-2510, (weighing only 130 g/4.5 ounces and measuring 118 x 53 x 18.8 mm), also known as the world’s smallest satellite phone, and Thuraya’s SG-2520, the world’s smartest satellite handheld phone. Users of the SG-2520 can use both GSM and satellite networks allowing ubiquitous coverage at all times.

  The third agreement was signed with AA Techneq (M) Sdn. Bhd., a company wiwth a long track record in the Malaysian Mobile Satellite Services market. They will be a National Service Provider marketing the full range of Thuraya products except for the maritime solution. AA Techneq is established in the various vertical market segments that require mobile satellite solutions in Malaysia. Asia Pacific uses satellite communications for the oil and gas, mining, manufacturing, agriculture, maritime sectors and emergency relief during natural disasters.

Thuraya provides cost-effective mobile satellite services in more than 140 countries in Asia, Africa, Europe and the Middle East. Services provided by Thuraya include mobile voice that support dual GSM and satellite mode, broadband, maritime, rural telephony, fleet management and other advanced applications that enable people and businesses everywhere under its coverage to enjoy constant access to communications and information.