Thuraya to sponsor key telecom event in Africa

The Company will be demonstrating a range of already expanding innovative products in handheld voice, portable satellite broadband, maritime, rural telephony, location-based services and other applications.

Thuraya has a large network of service providers and distributors in Africa, and its participation in AfricaCom will be a good opportunity to meet those partners and share plans for further commercial expansion in the growing African markets.

With blanket coverage of more than 140 countries, Thuraya covers 90% of the continent land mass and sea areas. As such, Thuraya's services can have a significant contribution towards meeting the African needs, especially in terms of rural telephony for villages and farming industry, in infrastructure development projects, transport and other economy-enhancing sectors.

At AfricaCom 2008 which takes place on 18th and 19th November in Cape Town, Thuraya will be displaying its mobile voice products (a satellite-only handheld and a satellite/GSM handheld). It will also be demonstrating ThurayaIP, which is a brand new A-5 satellite broadband terminal with a competitive video-streaming capability. The showcase will also include ThurayaMarine, GmPRS, tracking solution, rural telephony solutions, ThurayaModule for third-party applications and other satellite based services.

This extensive line of specialised products is aimed at ensuring that Thuraya caters to the varying needs and wants of private and corporate sectors in Africa and elsewhere in its international markets

"Africa has been, and shall always be, a top priority market for Thuraya, and we are keen to further strengthen partnerships and collaboration with the telecom sector in the continent,"

said Thuraya's Senior Manager Corporate Communications, Mr. Ebrahim K Ebrahim.

AfricaCom 2008 is one of the largest events for mobile, fixed, wireless and satellite communications networks in Africa with180 exhibitors and 3500 delegates.