Thuraya signs MoUs with four expert satellite application developers

The four developers are SpaceCom, European Antennas, Sattrans and Teknobil. SpaceCom is based in Denmark and is a manufacturer of stablised antennas for marine applications. European Antennas is a UK-based land and marine antenna manufacturer. Sattrans is a Ukrainian company specializing mostly in Vehicle Docking Adapters, whilst Teknobil is a Turkish satellite applications development company with a focus on Fleet Management Systems.

The move is part of Thuraya's continued strategy to evolve and augment its broad product mix and re-enforce commercial relations with several technology partners in the global telecom industry.

According to the MoUs, SpaceCom and European Antenna will be creating specialized high-power marine antennas for ThurayaDSL and ThurayaFDU services. This will improve Thuraya's maritime offering and subsequently its position in this key segment.

On their part, Sattrans will be producing the Vehicle Docking Adapter accessory for the 2nd Generation handheld phones, whereas Teknobil will be crafting a new solution for Fleet Management and Tracking based on the ThurayaModule.

Teknobil is one of the first developers of the GmPRS-based Tracking System via the ThurayaModule and the new partnership with them will promote the module and GMPRS services and encourage other developers to follow suit.

The MoUs were signed with the intended purpose of working closely in marketing and promoting these new applications and accessories where applicable, including key areas such as marketing communication, distribution and customer training.

"These new partnerships for applications and accessories development are part of our consistent strategy to expand our services and products portfolio, and enhance our positioning in all key market segments of satellite telecom, including maritime, broadband and fleet management,"

said Thuraya's CEO Mr. Yousuf Al Sayed.

He also mentioned that the new products and applications open new commercial horizon for Thuraya to increase market share in the global satellite telecom industry, especially with the imminent expansion towards Asia-Pacific by the end of this year, as well as create new avenues for revenue generation.

Prototypes of these new accessories have been under testing for almost two months, and are expected to proceed towards mass production and launch by the end of 2007.