Dubai: After its successful launch of the world's smallest satellite phone last year, Thuraya has released the most advanced handset in the mobile satellite services industry, a company statement said.
The SG-2520 smart phone was introduced for Thuraya's service pro-viders and distributors in Dubai yesterday.
"The waiting is over. The SG is here," said Thuraya CEO Yousuf Al Sayed said in a message to the participants.
"Just as we expected, the demand for this phone is so high that we are ordering fresh supplies."
Thuraya plans to sell about 70,000 of the second-generation handset - SG-2520 - in the first year.
The satellite-only SO-2510 launched last year was a runaway success with the company recording sales of more than 60,000 phones in just four months. The phone is also capable of sending multimedia messaging and emails, allowing the satellite users for the first time to instantly share pictures as well as video clips with others even while in remote areas. The embedded email client and built-in 1.3-megapixel camera are significant enhancements not available in any other satellite phone.
The SG-2520 is enriched with GSM 900, 1800 and 1900 MHz capabilities, runs on Windows-based operating system and supports Java.
The phone is capable of running applications developed for the mobile handsets using its Java capabilities and its operating system. It also supports 12 languages.
The GEN-II terminals were manufactured in South Korea by APSI, a firm partly owned by Thuraya.
Fast facts
SG-2520 is only phone that connects globally
- The dual-mode - satellite and GSM - terminal will retail between $900 and $1,100 depending on the market.- At 170 grams, the SG-2520 is the only satellite-GSM tri-band phone that provides connectivity worldwide, in Thuraya's satellite coverage area as well as throughout GSM networks globally.- It is loaded with features such as GPS, GmPRS or mobile satellite Internet using IP technology, a high-resolution colour screen, enhanced memory and polyphonic ringtones.
