Thuraya and Geonix announce new free of charge user initiated location service

Available immediately, the ThurayaLocate service allows anyone with any Thuraya handset ever made to view their position on maps, satellite images and aerial photography anywhere in the world.

Uniquely, every satellite phone ever developed for the Thuraya network contains an embedded GPS positioning system, and this is used - when initiated by the user - to report the handset's position to the ThurayaLocate servers.

From there, the position display can be shared - again as defined by the user - with any friends, family, employer or rescue agency.

The service is available to all Thuraya customers free of charge and requires the user to simply register initially and activate the service from their respective handsets.

ThurayaLocate services are for people who will be working or travelling primarily in off-the-beaten-track locations who desire additional security for themselves as well as peace of mind. Typical users will include:

• Backpackers letting friends and family see where they are and where they've been.

• Outdoor adventurers - skiers, hikers, bikers, climbers, canoeists, coastal and ocean sailors.

• Balloonists, paragliders and light aviation pilots.

• Fishing fleets, coastal and oceanic cargo ships, water taxis, ferries, river and cruise boats.

• Long distance drivers, truckers and courier companies.

• Government ministers and staff on overseas assignments.

• Corporate clients working in remote locations.

• Oil/gas/mineral exploration teams; pipeline, road, rail and GSM network construction teams.

• Overland travel companies, tourist coaches, 4x4 rally enthusiasts.

• World Bank, United Nations and agencies working in developing markets.

• Disaster relief agencies - forest fire, flood, tsunami, earthquake.

• Anyone travelling and working in off-the-beaten-track locations who values additional security.

Dr Sven Rohte, Thuraya's Chief Commercial Officer, in announcing the service commented:

"We are confident that the ThurayaLocate service will be a positive step forward in aiding all our customers to report where they are and to travel safely. Thanks to the foresight of Thuraya from its inception, every mobile handset we have ever made contains a GPS positioning system - this is unique not only in the satellite world but in conventional GSM mobiles as well. We are delighted to be working more with Geonix, one of our independent third party developers, and believe today's announcement further reaffirms the strength of our 3rd party developer programme."

David Bland, the Chief Executive of Geonix, commented:

"From the streets of London through the deserts of the Middle East to the Australian outback, ThurayaLocate can let you and anyone you designate to know where you are and that you are safe."