How it works

A satellite phone is a special kind of mobile phone that is designed to permit voice and data transmission via satellite. Unlike most other mobile phones, satellite phones do not rely on cell towers and cell sites. This geographical independency results in very reliable and consistent coverage. In addition to the voice calls, most satellite phones are capable of sending/receiving emails and text messages. We offer satellite phones for rental or purchase from Iridium and Thuraya.
If you work, live or travel in areas outside cellular coverage or in areas with inadequate landline service, a satellite phone is for you. Eighty-six percent of the world's landmass and all of its oceans are in areas with inadequate landline service. A satellite phone addresses these situations by providing coverage in all ocean areas, air routes and all landmasses - even the Poles. Unlike a GSM cell phone a satellite phone offers a communications solution that is independent of location.

 

       IRIDIUM in Switzerland, en Suisse, in der Schweiz

The Iridium Satellite System is the only provider of truly global, truly mobile satellite voice and data solutions with complete coverage of the Earth (including oceans, airways and Polar regions). Through a constellation of 66 low-earth orbiting (LEO) satellites operated by Boeing, Iridium delivers essential communications services to and from remote areas where terrestrial communications are not available. The service is ideally suited for industrial applications such as heavy construction, defense/military, emergency services, maritime, mining, forestry, oil and gas and aviation. Iridium currently provides services to the United States Department of Defense and launched commercial service in March 2001.

 

 

 

        - Thuraya in Switzerland, en Suisse, in der Schweiz

HOW THURAYA WORKS

A Superior Mobile Satellite System

Thuraya-1 satellite was launched on 21st October 2000; on board a Sea Launch Zenit-3SL rocket from the equator in the middle of the Pacific Ocean .It was the heaviest commercial payload ever launched and the first commercial satellite to employ digital beam forming. Thuraya’s commercial services began in a gradual roll out in a number of countries in 2001.

Thuraya’s second satellite Thuraya 2 was launched on the 10th of June 2003 the third satellite launched early 2008 to expand system capacity.
The Thuraya mobile satellite system is a turnkey project built by Boeing Satellite Systems, formerly Hughes Space and Communications International, Inc. (HSCI), at the cost of US$ 1 billion. Designed for a 12-15 year lifespan, the Thuraya 2 satellite is positioned in Geosynchronous Orbit, 35,786 km (22,236 miles) above the Earth, at 44 degrees East Longitude and inclined at 6.3 degrees. The contract includes manufacture of two high power geo-synchronous satellites, the launch of the first satellite, manufacture and installation of the ground network equipment, the manufacture of nearly a quarter of a million mobile handsets and the project insurance.

Thuraya’s system has been adapted for efficient operation in both satellite and GSM environments. It provides high flexibility in managing network resources through a re-programmable satellite payload. This supports modifications to the system’s coverage area even in the post-launch period and optimises performance over high demand areas.

Thuraya’s satellites have been specially designed to achieve network capacity of about 13,750 telephone channels. Thuraya’s hand held mobile terminals are comparable to GSM handsets in terms of size and appearance, as well as in voice quality.