Thuraya XT

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Thuraya XM is very small, durable smart satellite phone. The first and only
satellite handset with an IP54/IK03 durability rating.

provides global, reliable voice and data for individuals who live and work in areas outside of cellular network coverage, or in places with poor landline services. Satellite calls can be routed directly from the satellite phone to the Iridium satellites orbiting above a user's location. Global phone satellite service enables users to communicate in any remote regions where wireless or landline networks are limited, nonexistent or developing. This satellite phone also provides an excellent communication tool for homeland security applications. With Iridium service you can stay in touch across seas and time zones, in remote locations and on the go.

Using Iridium 9500 satellite phone

Thuraya XT, the world's first IP54/IK03 certified satellite phone, has arrived. Splash resistant, dust protected, and shockproof, Thuraya XT is one of the most rugged handsets. Its extremely durable construction makes Thuraya XT ideally suited to tough environments.

Thuraya XT is ideal for everybody who moves around in areas where local networks are unreliable or non-existent. Wherever you are within Thuraya's extensive coverage area, however remote the location, you're never more than a phone call away.

The handset's GmPRS capability means you can easily send/receive emails and browse the web with your laptop or PC from anywhere, at download/upload speeds of 60/15kbps. Fax and data speeds are 9.6kbps. Thuraya XT boasts the longest battery life of any satellite handset, providing up to 6 hours talk-time and up to 80 hours standby-time.

Weighing only 193g and measuring just 128 x 53 x 26.5mm (h x w x d), Thuraya XT is incredibly compact and lightweight, but heavy on features and reliability.

Satellite phones are still struggling to make it into this decade, design wise, but Iridium's Iridium's new 9555 phone is a solid leap forward, with its internalized antenna, speakerphone, improved SMS and email and 30% volume reduction in comparison to its predecessor, the 9505a. It's still a piece Gordon Gekko would feel at home with, but I think we can definitely look the other way on clunkiness when we're uplinking to one of Iridium's 66 low-earth birds to call Mom from the barren Mongol steppe while sipping on yak tea—that's persistence that will never go out of style.

Motorola Satellite Phones

Iridium 9505 & 9500 demo
phones at our office.

The 9555 design includes a menu-driven interface, making it very user-friendly for customers. Soft keys are utilized to allow for flexible menu choices and ease of navigation. Key features of the 9555 handset include:

# Compact physical footprint for streamlined portability # Intuitive user interface for out-of-the-box functionality # Water, shock and dust resistance for unparalleled durability # Enhanced SMS and email messaging capability # Integrated speakerphone # Headset and hands-free capability # Internally stowed antenna # Mini-USB data port

If you travel to remote locations and conduct business there, then this phone will get you connected. If you merely travel to exotic locations where there's an existing landline or cellular service, then don't get an Iridium phone. No matter how ridiculous the hotel charges may be for a long distance call, odds are it's still cheaper and better-sounding than the same call made through Iridium. As a fetish object, however, the Iridium phone is very effective. People have stoped us anywhere we used it and asked to touch it.

Pelican case for
Motorola/Iridium 9500

Basic charge includes a flat fee for the first week's hire with a reducing daily rate per week after that (see rate card). To that you only need to add your call charges, a statement itemising calls will be forwarded to you usually within 7-14 days post-hire to reconcile your account.

Iridium Satellite LLC today unveiled its smallest, most powerful satellite phone - the Iridium "9555" - at its annual Partner Conference in Miami, Fla. The innovative, all-new design of the 9555 offers a significantly reduced size, a more hand-friendly form factor, an intuitive user interface, and new features such as an internally stowed antenna. It is compact, light and easy to use, featuring a brighter screen, a speaker phone, improved Short Messaging Service (SMS) and email capabilities, and an upgraded mini-USB data port. The new phone is engineered to withstand and perform well in the world's most rugged, remote and industrial environments, including being water- and shock-resistant. Combined with the only communications network providing truly global coverage, the 9555 delivers the reliable, secure, real-time, mission-critical communications service that Iridium users have come to expect. "The 9555 is yet another example of our continuing investment in our products, services and infrastructure," said Don Thoma, executive vice president, marketing, Iridium. "In designing the 9555, we believe we have responded to our customers' needs. In addition to delivering this sleek new handset, we also are known for excellent network reliability, which is why we offer the Iridium Network Quality Guarantee." Iridium is the only provider of truly global satellite voice and data communications solutions with complete coverage of the entire earth including oceans, airways and even Polar Regions. Iridium customers are organizations and individuals operating in some of the most remote and harsh regions of the world, from distant oil rigs to ships at sea and deserts. The Iridium 9555 utilizes the largest commercial satellite constellation in the world, consisting of 66 low-earth orbiting cross-linked satellites, and operates as a fully meshed network with in-orbit spares. "The 9555 is, by far, the phone that first responders will want to have on hand for backup emergency communications in case of natural or man-made disasters," said Thoma. "Iridium phones are the only handsets that can be used in absolutely any location, in any condition, instead of cellular, landline or radio services that can become inoperable when towers go down or telecommunications infrastructure is compromised. Since the 9555 is lightweight and simple to use, it will be the satellite phone of choice for emergency workers and customers in other remote environments such as the open seas, on rugged industrial sites, and in extreme travel scenarios." "To help us live up to our mission of 'safely bringing the beauty and excitement of adventure to those who pursue it,' we have long relied on Iridium phones during our expeditions," said Mark Gunlogson, president, Mountain Madness, one of the world's top mountain guide services. "Now, having a smaller, lighter phone that still provides that critical lifeline will be a welcome addition to our backpacks as we travel across the globe." The 9555 design includes a menu-driven interface, making it very user-friendly for customers. Soft keys are utilized to allow for flexible menu choices and ease of navigation. Key features of the 9555 handset include: * Lighter weight design - 27 percent lighter than 9505A handset * Compact - 30 percent smaller than 9505A handset * Internally retractable antenna for compact carrying * Illuminated, weather-resistant keypad redesigned for ease-of-use * A menu configurable in any of 21 languages * Enhanced functionality for improved integration of messaging (short email and SMS) * Additional address book fields for more phone numbers, email addresses and notes * Programmable international codes for automatic dialing * Built-in help function * Integrated speakerphone * Mini-USB data port * Standby time up to 30 hours * Talk time up to 4 hours The 9555 handset will be available from Iridium service partners starting in November 2008.

Telephone Review

Six hours of use and 80 hours of stand-by time are the offering claimed by Thuraya for its new satellite handheld phone battery. Benefits are said to include extended availability during emergencies and extra-rugged construction.

A major criterion for the selection of any phone is battery life because this determines the length of talk-time as well as how often the phone has to be recharged. This is more so for satellite phones as users are based outdoors or in remote locations and depend on outdoor phone reliability. Similarly, users of satellite phones may find themselves in an emergency situation requiring sufficient length of talk time to make instant calls.

XT satellite phone which entered the market in 2009, has what the manufacturer claims to be an unprecedented battery life. The handheld device, which is “seen as the world’s toughest satellite phone” is the only device of its kind that has a talk-time of up to six hours and a standby time of up to 80 hours, outperforming any other available satellite phone in the market. Through the extended battery life of Thuraya XT, customers are ensured of a reliable service from a rugged phone laden with advanced features. Incidentally, having a long-lasting battery does not in any way affect the weight of the phone that is 193 grams which is considerably light for the efficient battery life that it provides.

The phone has been designed with an internal brightness sensor so that its menu is easily readable in bright outdoor environments. This feature also contributes to the battery lifetime by reducing backlight in the dark when only low light is required.

Satellite phone customers raised the bar when it came to the battery life of the phone. Many satellite phone customers spend large periods of time in the field and thus need a strong battery life on their phone and this is what Thuraya XT provides.

Thuraya Smart Satellite Phone Specification

Size: 128x53x26.5mm (hxwxd) Battery Life: Up to 6 hours talk time/up to 80 hours standby time Weight: 193g PC Compatibility: Windows Vista, Windows XP, Windows NT, Windows 2000 Display: 2" / 262k outdoor colour display External Interfaces: Data Cable (UDC) with USB connector, earjack and DC power GmPRS Down/Up Speed: 60/15 kbps Languages: Arabic, Chinese, English, Farsi, French, German, Hindi, Italian, Russian, Spanish, Turkish and Urdu

Table: Thuraya XT tech specs
Technical Specifications
Technical Specifications:
Operating Frequency:	1616 - 1626.5 MHz, L-Band
Duplexing Method:	Time Division Duplex(TDD)
Multiplexing Method:	TDMA/FDMA (GSM)
Link Margin:	15.5 dB average
Average Power:	0.57 Watts average
CEIRP Average:	-1.9 dBW
Sensitivity:	-117.9 dBm
TX Spurs General EIRP:	-60 dBW
TX Spurs GNSS 1559-1605 MHz:	-80 dBW
TX Noise GNSS 1559-1650 MHz:	-70 BW/MHz
Standard Battery Life :
Continuous Talk Time:	Up to 2hrs (3.2 hours with the optional High Capacity Battery or 5.5 hrs with the optional Ultra High Capacity Battery)
Standby Time:	Up to 16hrs (24 hours with the optional High Capacity Battery or 48 hrs with the optional Ultra High Capacity Battery)
Mechanical & Environmental:
Weight:	Under 454g (16oz)
Dimensions:	7.60"L x 2.44"W x 2.66 "D (193mm L x 62mm H x 68mm D)
Operating Temperature:	-30ºC - 60ºC