THURAYA SATELLITE PHONE
FAQ
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THURAYA SATELLITE PHONE FAQ
Thuraya
Q
& A
Thuraya
Satellite Phone
Subscription
and Call Charges
Satellite phone and GSM
Mode
Satellite Phone Roaming
Thuraya Satellite Phone Solutions and
Accessories
Global Positioning System (GPS) and
Short Messaging System (SMS)
Thuraya Satellite Phone 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 satellite phone?
A: While
you are in the coverage area, you can use the Thuraya satellite
phone to call anywhere or receive a call from anywhere
in the world. You will also be able to use the satellite 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 satellite phone signed roaming
agreements with?
A: For a list of countries with which Thuraya has
signed satellite phone roaming agreements, please
view Thuraya Satellite Phone Roaming partners
Q.
What are Thuraya’s satellite phone services?
A: Thuraya satellite phone 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 satellite phone services.
Q.
How many colours do Thuraya satellite phones 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 satellite phones?
A: The Thuraya satellite phone cost depends on each country’s
regulations, customs, and taxes. For accurate
information please check with your local distributor.
Q.
Does the Thuraya satellite phone operate indoors? How can the
user receive calls?
A. Thuraya satellite phone services, like in any other GMPCS system,
are intended for outdoor usage. However the Thuraya satellite
system will enable users who are indoors to receive an
alerting signal. The Thuraya user terminal is dual
mode--GSM/Satellite Thuraya-.
Thuraya's
Fixed
Docking Unit (FDU)- the Home/Office Docking satellite phone
product allows the usage of the Thuraya satellite phone in an
indoor environment such as home or office.
The FDU will complement the Thuraya satellite phone by
extending its operations and functionalities inside
buildings.
Q.
Is Thuraya satellite phone waterproof?
A: The satellite 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 satellite phone performance, always read the User
Manual before attempting to use a THURAYA satellite 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
satellite phone battery connected to a charger for a very long period.
Q.How
many phone book entries can I store in Thuraya satellite phone
memory?
A:
Phonebook
entries are
usually stored on the
SIM card. Thuraya satellite phone 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: To be eligible for warranty, you
must present your warranty card with the phone and the
proof of purchase at your nearest Thuraya phone maintenance
centre.
Q.
How much does Thuraya satellite phone weigh?
A:
The Thuraya satellite 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 satellite phone is
through your local Service Provider. You may also
visit Thuraya’s website www.thuraya.com
for detailed information about Thuraya satellite phone. 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 satellite phone services begin?
A. Thuraya's commercial services have begun in a
gradual roll out in several
countries in Thuraya's coverage area.
Subscription
and Call Charges
Q. How
do I subscribe to the Thuraya satellite phone 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 satellite phone subscription
procedures in your country, please contact your
nearest Thuraya Service Provider.
Q.
What are the monthly subscription fees?
A: Thuraya satellite phone
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 business procedures undertaken by the
Service Provider. Nevertheless, the Thuraya satellite phone 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 satellite phone while
I'm overseas—what will I be charged?
A: Thuraya applies the calling party pays principle.
In most cases, a Thuraya satellite phone 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 satellite phone SIM/number, the subscription and
call charges will be paid in your local currency. If you have a prepaid satellite phone
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 satellite phone cards to top up your
balance.
Q.
If I am using a GSM card in my Thuraya satellite phone, can I
make satellite calls? Which number would people reach
me at satellite phone?
A: When a
subscriber is using a GSM SIM in a Thuraya satellite phone, the
phone acts like a normal GSM phone with your same GSM
number. You will be able to roam into Thuraya satellite phone
and make satellite calls. In this case, you will
receive your regular GSM monthly bill with roaming
charges stating usage in Thuraya satellite phone territory.
Q.
Are there any subscription charges for using my GSM
SIM card on a Thuraya satellite phone?
A: Thuraya satellite phone
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 satellite 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 satellite 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 satellite 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 satellite phone and GSM SIM, you will be
automatically accessing 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 satellite phone services
through your GSM phone because Thuraya satellite phones have
special equipment that makes communication with the
satellite possible.
Q. Can
you define Satellite Phone Roaming in relation to Thuraya?
A. Satellite Phone 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 phone services anywhere in the
coverage area using their existing GSM SIM cards
and a Thuraya satellite phone.
Q.
What are Thuraya’s roaming charges?
A: Satellite Phone 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 satellite phone 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 satellite phone 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 satellite phone while driving?
A:
In most cases you will be able to receive or make
calls while driving. To get optimal satellite phone 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 satellite 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 satellite phone by extending its
operations and functionalities inside buildings where
the satellite signal is not sufficient. Simply dock
the Thuraya satellite 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 satellite phone package?
A: Thuraya satellite phone
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 satellite phone
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 satellite phone?
A: You will need to connect your Thuraya satellite 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 satellite 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 satellite phone is
in GSM mode (even when using an existing GSM SIM
card)?
A: As long as you have
a Thuraya satellite 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 satellite phones.
Q.
What is the Thuraya satellite phone SMS center number?
A. The Thuraya satellite phone 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
Always use full
country codes and numbers when sending SMS satellite phone messages.
Q.
In what languages does Thuraya satellite phone support SMS?
A: Thuraya satellite phone supports SMS in English, Italian,
French, and German.
Technology
Q.
Why is there a requirement for a large L-band satellite phone antenna?
A: To enable the user to transmit low power using
Thuraya’s handheld satellite phone 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 satellite 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 satellite phone system will provide a 10 dB fade margin to
handheld users for typical shadowing.
Q. What is
the satellite phone 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 satellite phone antenna?
A: The Thuraya satellite phone 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 satellite phone
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 satellite gateways?
A: The primary satellite gateway contains a satellite gateway station
which serves as the link between the fixed and mobile
public terrestrial networks, both for originating and
terminating calls. The primary satellite 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 satellite 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 satellite gateway is
designed to manage more subsets and more regions than
any national satellite 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 satellite phone 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 satellite phone 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 satellite phone uses satellite phone 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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