THURAYA SATELLITE PHONE
RENTAL |
THURAYA
SATELLITE PHONE RENTAL
Thuraya
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International cell phones and satellite phone rental
High convenience with low commitment. Have your own international
cell phone, and only ever get billed for your calls — when you get
back to the US, just keep it in your drawer and don’t pay a cent.
We have been specializing in the rental and sale of international
GSM phones and mobile satellite phones for
travelers. Please contact us
for advice on our international cell phone rental, GSM world phones
and mobile satellite phone solutions.
Only need Satellite Phone
service for a short amount of time? Thuraya Satellite Rental is the
answer. Whether you are taking a World cruise, or hike in Tibet, or
Safari in the Sahara, Thuraya will have you covered. The Best
Thuraya Satellite Phone Rental Rates Guaranteed.
| |
Company |
Daily |
Weekly |
Monthly |
Security
Deposit |
World Rate Per
Minute |
Savings
Score |
| 1 |
|
n/a |
85$ |
180$ |
Call |
2$/Min
|
98.3 |
Thuraya’s geo-synchronous satellite provides border-to-border coverage to a footprint area of 99 nations. Thuraya's coverage spans Europe, North and Central Africa, the Middle East, Central Asia and the Indian Subcontinent. Thuraya's services extend beyond boundaries of terrestrial networks and reach remote areas not accessible by conventional modes of mobile telecommunications. Covers Europe to Asia Both GSM and Satellite Phone
Uses Geo-stationary Satellites |
| 2 |
|
7$ |
40$ |
150$ |
750$ |
1.75$/Min
|
95.9 |
Thuraya 7100 & 7101 phones by Hughes Network Systems (HNS) support satellite and GSM cellular modes. In satellite mode, coverage for voice, 9600 bps data (not included with rental), and SMS service in over 99 countries. In particular, much of northern, central and western Africa, the Middle East, Central Asia and the Indian Subcontinent are covered. In GSM cellular mode, the forementioned voice, data, and SMS are also supported but quality of service varies according to regional GSM cellular operator being used. Customers should be aware that GSM cellular services are often more expensive than satellite-mode. Outfitter's standard package includes a universal AC charger for use at 110/220 VAC, 50/60 Hz. See rental contract for additional calling and usage rates. |
| 3 |
|
20$ |
125$ |
350$ |
2250$ |
2$/Min
4.25$/Min
|
95.2 |
Thuraya Satellite Phone Rental
The world's smallest handheld satellite phone which can operate in either satellite mode or over GSM networks, depending on available coverage
thuraya satellite phone rental For use in some of the more remote regions of the world
Satellite and GSM functionality GPS location facility - pinpoint your position
Data enabled (up to 9.6 kbps) Free incoming calls Complete accessory pack including rapid charger, in-car charger, travel adaptors for foreign outlets and instruction booklet Same day delivery available 24 Hour Global Customer Service, 365 days a year |
| 4 |
InTouch Global |
n/a$ |
119$ |
call |
call |
2.19$/Min
|
94.6 |
Delivery:InTouch USA usually ships through UPS. Each phone shipped via UPS includes a blue and white return UPS shipper label. Please seal the rental phone box and use the UPS label for return. Call 1-800-377-4877 and request second day service to arrange for pick up.
No delivery to car rental counters or airports. |
Thuraya versus Globalstar and Iridium:
Thuraya uses a geosynchronous satellite which is much farther away than the low earth orbit (LEO) satellites used by Iridium or Globalstar. One result of this is that Thuraya voice communications have a very noticeable time delay, whereas the corresponding time delay is much less pronounced for Iridium or Globalstar. Some Thuraya and Iridium users have reported that sound quality is occasionally poor. By comparision, Globalstar normally offers excellent voice quality and very few unexpectedly dropped calls.
Iridium 9500, Yellow and Black Globalstar GSP-1600s (antennas stowed) Both Thuraya and Globalstar offer 9600 bps data rates. Though Iridium data is only 2400 bps, most Windows platforms support its internet access / compression software which increases Iridium's effective data rate to 10,000 bps for typical text-based email communications. Globalstar's data software has the additional advantage of supporting most Macintosh as well as Windows platforms. All three types of phones are only suitable for text messaging and should not be used for sending large files through the internet.
Thuraya versus Motorola Timeport GSM Tri-Band Cellular Phone:
Thuraya phones also have GSM cellular capability. Currently, Thuraya phones using prepaid SIM cards can only receive GSM calls and cannot initiate GSM calls. Thuraya phones with postpaid SIM cards can send and receive GSM in 99 countries. Outfitter rents and sells Motorola TimePort tri-mode GSM cellular phones that use all three GSM bands and roam in over 130 countries. If you are strictly travelling in major metropolitan areas, the Motorola TimePort (5 oz) is smaller and lighter than the Hughes Thuraya (8 oz). If you expect to need wireless communication more than 15 miles from a major city or highway, a satellite phone is probably required.
Security Concerns: U.S. Government users with security concerns should be aware that all Thuraya calls are identified by their GPS position for billing purposes and that all Thuraya satellite-mode voice and data communications are routed through a gateway location in the United Arab Emirates. Globalstar is inherently secure from illegal interception due to its use of CDMA protocol. Satellite-mode Globalstar communications are routed through a gateway in the region of attempted use (as shown on the Globalstar coverage map). Unlike Thuraya or Globalstar, Iridium's network and gateways are operated entirely from the United States. Secure Iridium phones are available to government users.
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THURAYA
COVERAGE ADVISORY
Thuraya’s geo-synchronous satellite provides border-to-border
coverage to a footprint area of more than 110 nations.
Our coverage spans Europe, North, Central Africa and large parts of
Southern Africa, the Middle East, Central and South Asia. Thuraya's
services extends beyond boundaries of terrestrial networks and reach
remote areas not accessible by conventional modes of mobile
telecommunications.
Thuraya's services are also be available in the Red Sea, the
Mediterranean Sea, the Arabian Sea, the North Sea, the Baltic Sea,
the Caspian Sea, the Black Sea, and part of the Indian Ocean.
Thuraya makes border-to-border telecommunications coverage a
reality.
Thuraya
Q
& A
Thuraya
Phone
Subscription
and Call Charges
Satellite and GSM
Mode
Roaming
Solutions and
Accessories
Global Positioning System (GPS) and
Short Messaging System (SMS)
Technology
Thuraya
Phone
Q.
What is the type of the phone?
A; Thuraya
is a satellite mobile phone with integrated GSM and
GPS features.
Q.
Where can I use the Thuraya phone?
A: While
you are in the coverage area, you can use the Thuraya
phone to call anywhere or receive a call from anywhere
in the world. You will also be able to use the phone
on GSM mode in areas with compatible GSM networks and
with whom Thuraya has signed a roaming agreement,
regardless of your location.
Q.
In which countries has Thuraya signed roaming
agreements with?
A: For a list of countries with which Thuraya has
signed roaming agreements, please
view Thuraya Roaming partners
Q.
What are Thuraya’s services?
A: Thuraya comes packed with services such as Short
Messaging Services (SMS), fax/data transfer at 9600
bps, voicemail, and call waiting and forwarding.
Global Positioning System (GPS), or location
determination, also comes as a standard feature. In
addition, you will be able to make use of services
such as Caller Line Identity Presentation (CLIP), Call
Hold, Call Barring, Call Transfer, and Conference
Calling.
Q.
How many colours do Thuraya handsets come in?
A: Thuraya Hughes 7101 is grey in colour. Thuraya
Hughes 7100 and Ascom
(discontinued product) phones are in dark blue shades.
Q. What
is the cost of the handsets?
A: The Thuraya phone cost depends on each country’s
regulations, customs, and taxes. For accurate
information please check with your local distributor.
Q.
Does the Thuraya handset operate indoors? How can the
user receive calls?
A. Thuraya services, like in any other GMPCS system,
are intended for outdoor usage. However the Thuraya
system will enable users who are indoors to receive an
alerting signal. He or she can then move outdoors to
start the call. The Thuraya user terminal is dual
mode--GSM/Satellite Thuraya-- and the user also has
the option to use GSM while in a GSM network and
indoors.
Thuraya's
Fixed
Docking Unit (FDU)- the Home/Office Docking
product allows the usage of the Thuraya phone in an
indoor environment such as home or office.
The FDU will complement the Thuraya phone by
extending its operations and functionalities inside
buildings.
Q.
Is Thuraya phone waterproof?
A: The phone is designed according to GSM
specifications, which normally is not waterproof.
Q.
How long should I charge the battery the first time?
A:
To assure maximum performance, always read the User
Manual before attempting to use a THURAYA phone for
the first time. Optimally, a battery will achieve full
performance after two or three complete charge and
discharge cycles.
Q. Can
I overcharge my battery?
A: Although the charger stops charging
automatically when the battery is full, overcharging
may shorten a battery’s life. Hence, never leave the
battery connected to a charger for a very long period.
Q.How
many phone book entries can I store in Thuraya phone
memory?
A:
Phonebook
entries are
usually stored on the
SIM card. Thuraya lets you save up to the standard
limit of book entries that are allowed in a
SIM card.
Q.
What are the terms of the warranty period?
A: The
manufacturers provide a one-year warranty from the
date of purchase. To be eligible for warranty, you
must present your warranty card with the phone and the
proof of purchase at your nearest Thuraya maintenance
centre.
Q.
How much does Thuraya phone weigh?
A:
The Thuraya phone weighs approximately 220
grams.
Q.
What is the Thuraya code?
A: The Thuraya code is +88216 and each subscriber will
have a unique 8 digit number.
Q.
Where can I get more information about Thuraya’s
products and services?
A: The easiest way to know more about Thuraya is
through your local Service Provider. You may also
visit Thuraya’s website www.thuraya.com
for detailed information about Thuraya. If you have a
specific enquiry or requirement, please contact info@thuraya.com
or send in your request to fax +9712 6417884, or P.O.
Box 33344 Abu Dhabi, UAE.
Q.
When did Thuraya’s services begin?
A. Thuraya's commercial services have begun in a
gradual roll out, starting from April 2001 in several
countries in Thuraya's coverage area.
Subscription
and Call Charges
Q. How
do I subscribe to the Thuraya network?
A: Thuraya offers its products and services through
local service providers in each market. The local
service provider will handle applications, activations
and billing. For detailed Thuraya subscription
procedures in your country, please contact your
nearest Thuraya Service Provider.
Q.
What are the monthly subscription fees?
A: Thuraya
subscription fees vary in some countries due to local
regulations. For accurate and up to date information,
please contact your local service provider.
Q.
Is there any deposit required for subscription?
A: It varies from one country to another depending on
the local business procedures undertaken by the
Service Provider. Nevertheless, the Thuraya prepaid
SIM cards are available at all Service Provider
locations without any special requirements or possible
deposits.
Q.
If someone tries to call me on my Thuraya phone while
I'm overseas—what will I be charged?
A: Thuraya applies the calling party pays principle.
In most cases, a Thuraya subscriber will not pay for
any incoming satellite calls. The calling party, on
the other hand, will be charged according to the local
telecom provider rates.
Q.
If I’m a Thuraya subscriber, where will I pay my
bill?
A: If
you have a Thuraya SIM/number, the subscription and
call charges will be paid to your local service
provider in your local currency. If you have a prepaid
SIM, however, then there will be a one-time
subscription and activation fee. To keep using it, all
you need to do is buy scratch cards to top up your
balance.
Q.
If I am using a GSM card in my Thuraya phone, can I
make satellite calls? Which number would people reach
me at?
A: When a
subscriber is using a GSM SIM in a Thuraya phone, the
phone acts like a normal GSM phone with your same GSM
number. If your GSM operator has a roaming agreement
with Thuraya, you will be able to roam into Thuraya
and make satellite calls. In this case, you will
receive your regular GSM monthly bill with roaming
charges stating usage in Thuraya territory.
Q.
Are there any subscription charges for using my GSM
SIM card on a Thuraya phone?
A: Thuraya
charges you monthly for your Thuraya SIM card only. If
you use the service with your GSM SIM card no
subscription charges are applied.
Q.
If I want to buy a Thuraya phone in the UAE, where do
I go?
A: Thuraya products
and services are provided through Etisalat main
branches all over the UAE. For sales
related inquiries, you can call the Thuraya toll free
number at 8006633.
Q.
If there is no Service Provider in my country, how can
I obtain Thuraya services?
A: If you do not have a Thuraya service provider in
your country, please note that Thuraya phone and
services can be purchased online at Thuraya's e-shop http://eshop.thuraya.com
.For more updates and information on how to obtain
Thuraya's services, please visit our website www.thuraya.com
Satellite
and GSM Mode
Q. How
does Thuraya dual mode feature work?
A: With your Thuraya phone and Thuraya SIM, you can
make calls via satellite from anywhere within the
coverage area. You also have the option of roaming
from Thuraya into a local GSM operator given that
Thuraya has established a roaming agreement with your
local GSM operator.
With
your Thuraya phone and GSM SIM, you will be
automatically accessing your local GSM operator’s
network. Hence, your calls will be billed on your
normal GSM bill. You also have the option to roam into
Thuraya’s network to access satellite services given
that Thuraya has already established a roaming
agreement with your local GSM operator.
With
a GSM phone and a Thuraya SIM, you will be roaming
from Thuraya into your local GSM operator network
given that Thuraya has already established a roaming
agreement with your local GSM operator. Nevertheless,
it will be impossible to access Thuraya services
through your GSM phone because Thuraya phones have
special equipment that makes communication with the
satellite possible.
Q. Can
you define Roaming in relation to Thuraya?
A. Roaming is a facility
that makes:
- Thuraya
subscribers (with Thuraya SIM cards) able to
access other GSM networks in the area using their
own SIMs
- GSM
subscribers (with GSM SIM cards) able to access
Thuraya satellite services anywhere in the
coverage area using their existing GSM SIM cards
and a Thuraya phone.
Q.
What are Thuraya’s roaming charges?
A: Roaming charges are very similar to the
international roaming call charges and to GSM industry
standards.
Q. Does
Thuraya have Prepaid scratch cards?
A: Thuraya
prepaid scratch cards will be available at all service
provider locations. These cards can be used only if
you have a Thuraya prepaid SIM card and they work
anywhere in Thuraya’s coverage area.
Q.
How long is the validity of a prepaid scratch card?
A: The validity of a prepaid scratch card is three
months from the day you place your first call using
the new scratch card.
Q.
Can I receive
or make a call on a Thuraya phone while driving?
A:
In most cases you will be able to receive or make
calls while driving. To get optimal reception however,
you will need to have direct line of sight with the
Thuraya satellite.
Q.
Does Thuraya have a car kit?
A: Thuraya Vehicular
Docking Adaptor (VDA) " provides a station
for the Thuraya phone recharging and in-vehicle
operations.Thuraya's
VDA
is also available with all service providers.
Q.
What is ‘Fixed Docking Unit’?
A:The
‘Fixed Docking Unit’ (FDU) allows satellite
usage in an indoor environment such as home or office.
It complements the Thuraya phone by extending its
operations and functionalities inside buildings where
the satellite signal is not sufficient. Simply dock
the Thuraya phone in ‘FDU’ and you’re ready to
use it indoors. All the standard satellite-based
services such as voice, fax/data and the supplementary
services will be available when the phone is docked.
Q.
What is included in the Thuraya phone package?
A: Thuraya
package comes with a phone, standard battery, SIM
card, travel charger, user manuals, and a warranty
card.
Q.
What sort of accessories can I find for Thuraya
phones?
A: Thuraya
will introduce a whole new range of dynamic phone
accessories to complement its mobile satellite
services. The following accessories will be
available through your local service providers: FDU,
Vehicular
Docking Adaptor (VDA), Car
Charger
, Earset
, Travel
Charger ,
Software
Package , Standard
Battery Pack;
How
do I use Data and Fax services from a Thuraya phone?
A: You will need to connect your Thuraya phone to a
laptop/computer with a “Data Cable”(Thuraya
Accessory) via a serial
port. The Data Cable can be used to send/receive data
and fax at 9.6 kbps.
Global
Positioning System (GPS) and Short Messaging System (SMS)
Q. How
do I use GPS on the Thuraya phone?
A: In the phone menu,
you can access all GPS related features from the
“GPS manager” submenu.
Q.How
can I give my location to someone?
A: After you determine your GPS location, you can send
it via SMS to anyone.
Q.Can
I use Thuraya’s GPS feature if the Thuraya phone is
in GSM mode (even when using an existing GSM SIM
card)?
A: As long as you have
a Thuraya phone you will be able to access Thuraya’s
GPS feature regardless of the network you are
registered on.
Q.
Are there any additional charges for using the GPS
feature?
A: No, GPS is a built-in feature and free of charge in
all Thuraya phones.
Q.
What is the Thuraya SMS center number?
A. The Thuraya SMS center number is "+882161900000”
Q.
How do I set up my message preferences to be able to
use Thuraya’s SMS service center?
A:
Please follow
the procedure below:
- Go
to menu.
- Choose
"Settings".
- Then
choose "SMS Parameter".
- Then
choose "SMS Center".
- Enter
"+882161900000” as the SMS center number.
Since
Thuraya considered a virtual country, always use full
country codes and numbers when sending SMS messages.
Q.
In what languages does Thuraya phone support SMS?
A: Thuraya phone supports SMS in English, Italian,
French, and German.
Technology
Q.
Why is there a requirement for a large L-band antenna?
A: To enable the user to transmit low power using
Thuraya’s handheld terminal, the spacecraft will
require high sensitivity or high G/T to receive the
signal. From the transmission side of the spacecraft,
the system also requires a high gain antenna to
provide high power, quality signals to the individual
handheld users.
Q. What is
the excess power that the satellite transmits during
shadowing?
A: Thuraya system will provide a 10 dB fade margin to
handheld users for typical shadowing.
Q. What is
the handset power in the satellite mode?
A: Thuraya’s transmitted power of a maximum of 2 W,
is similar to the GSM 900. The power control in both
systems is the same. This means that the mobile
terminal will not transmit the maximum power when it
is not needed.
Q. Why is
the Thuraya terminal antenna thickness larger than the
normal GSM handset antenna?
A: The Thuraya user terminal operates on a dual
frequency of GSM 900 MHz and satellite at a 1.6/1.5
GHz range and therefore requires additional hardware
for such dual band operations. The Thuraya handset
uses a Quadrifilar helical L-band antenna consisting
of helices wound on a cylinder, which give it a larger
in size compared to normal GSM antennas.
Q. What are
the main differences between the Primary Gateway and
the national gateways?
A: The primary gateway contains a gateway station
which serves as the link between the fixed and mobile
public terrestrial networks, both for originating and
terminating calls. The primary gateway is also
equipped with:
The Satellite
Operation Center (SOC) which operates and maintains
the satellite
The Advanced
Operation Center (AOC), which is responsible for the
radio resource management of the satellite traffic
channels.
The Central Operation
Support System (OSS) which provides the functions for
customer care, billing and SIM card personalization
for the entire network (including the NGWs)
The National Gateway
contains a gateway station but not the SOC, AOC, and
OSS. However, a local Operation and maintenance Center
could be provided.
Each GW (including PGW) is assigned to manage a subset
of the satellite resources and serve a specific region
in the ground. However, the primary gateway is
designed to manage more subsets and more regions than
any national gateway.
Q. What is
the effect of the radiation of the Mobile Terminal to
the human body?
A: The results of the Specific Absorption Rate test
(SAR= power absorbed per unit mass of tissue) shows
that the power of the handheld terminal with the
antenna (in both the extended/deployed and
retracted/stowed positions) meet the European and
IEEE/ANSI standards--even for Satellite Mode (GEM) on
9.6 kbps data mode.
Q. What is
the modulation type?
A: Thuraya’s carrier modulation is QPSK
Q. What is
Thuraya’s blocking rate?
A: The average blocking rate is less than 2%
Q. What
security features are built into the Thuraya links?
A:. Thuraya uses encryption which is equivalent in
robustness to the standard GSM encryption.
Q. What is
the size of the Thuraya spacecraft L-band antenna?
A: 12.25m (40 ft) X 16m (52 ft)
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