Thuraya has begun commercial services in the UAE and 34 countries in Asia, Africa and Europe. Thuraya Satellite Telecommunications Co announced the commercial roll-out in the first phase coverage area of the Middle East, subcontinent, Europe, Central Asia and North and Central Africa after a successful trial operation.

Full operation across its entire coverage area of about 100 countries is expected to be completed by 2003. Once fully rolled out, Thuraya will serve 99 countries inhabited by 2.5 billion people.

Meanwhile, the company recently signed an agreement with Spain's Satlink to reinforce its position in the European market. Satlink will have the right to provide Thuraya services in Spain.

Satlink will have the rights to distribute and market Thuraya's mobile satellite services and products, including user terminals and SIM cards as well as oversee billing and customer care aspects throughout Spain.

Thuraya, a private joint stock company, was founded in 1997. Its primary gateway is in Sharjah. The services provided combine GSM and GPS (Global Positioning System) in a Thuraya hand held mobile phone that gives a customer uninterrupted coverage over its entire coverage area.

The other feature is flexible dual-mode technology that allows use of GSM in GSM networks and switch to Thuraya satellite mode in areas that are outside GSM terrestrial networks.
The phones are also featured with caller line identity, forwarding, waiting, hold, barring, transfer and conference calling.

Thuraya will soon offer Wireless Application Protocol in its satellite phones. The company offers "Satel", a home and office docking unit that allows use of the phone indoors through an adaptor that can be plugged into an electricity socket.