Thuraya successfully builds market momentum for world's toughest satellite phone

Positioned as the world's toughest satellite phone, the new device generated great commercial interest from key Thuraya Service Providers who placed their orders as soon as the phone was available in the market.

"We anticipate sales of the Thuraya XT beyond our initial forecast and we expect to sell a record breaking number of phones before the end of 2009. In the first month, there has been heavy demand for the phone and it has received very good reviews,"

said Thuraya's Chief Commercial Officer, Dr. Sven Rohte.

The XT is the only satellite phone that complies with IP54/IK03 standards making it splash water, dust and shock resistant. It has an unprecedented battery life with talk time that lasts up to 6 hours and standby-time of 80 hours which is unavailable in any other satellite phone.

In addition it is supported by a user-friendly and very neat menu that allows users to rapidly access any function of the several functions of the phone.

"The phone has been meticulously designed to be the most reliable and toughest satellite handheld in the MSS market. All its features have been diligently tested to ensure that customers from all sectors find a phone that they can depend on even in the most trying of circumstances," added Dr. Rohte.

A main feature of the Thuraya XT is that it has a glare-resistant display with an internal brightness sensor allowing for readability in outdoor environments.

The handset has a GmPRS capability so that users can send and receive emails as well as browse the web with a laptop or PC from anywhere within Thuraya's 140-country coverage area.

Thuraya XT also has an in-built GPS-Navigation feature, as well as messaging via SMS, e-mail, fax and Organiser services.

The size of the product, weighing only 193 grams, makes it one of the most compact communications solutions in the market. It is robustly protected by an outer casing composed of the latest polycarbonates and rubber seals for protection which means that the phone can withstand all types of rough terrain.

Thuraya is the world leader in mobile satellite handhelds, and the XT has boosted the Company's position in the mobile satellite handheld industry and allows the Company to enhance its leading edge.