ABU DHABI, June 4, 2007 (WAM) -- Thuraya Satellite Telecommunications Co. has commenced operating its new PrepaidRoaming service with Etisalat of UAE, Mobily and STC (Al Jawwal)of Saudi Arabia and GSM networks in Burkina Faso and Cote d'Ivoire.

First of its kind by a mobile satellite operator, the new serviceallows Thuraya's prepaid subscribers to roam on those GSM networks,and at the same time, allows the prepaid subscribers of thoseGSM networks to roam on Thuraya's large satellite network coveringmore than 110 countries.

Like GSM, only Thuraya's postpaid subscribers were able to usethis facility before the launch of this innovative service.

The service will allow Thuraya prepaid subscribers to make callsand send SMS while roaming on local GSM networks. Similarly,it will be highly beneficial for prepaid GSM users who will,for the first time, be able with their existing GSM SIM cardsto roam on an extensive satellite network which provides a blankettelecom coverage even in remote and rural areas.

Prepaid roaming was initially launched with Ettihad Etisalat(Mobily) of Saudi Arabia, but has since gradually expanded toseveral GSM networks including STC (Al Jawwal), Etisalat of UAE,Telecel of Burkina Faso and Moov of Cote d'Ivoire. More GSM networks,including Etisalat Misr of Egypt will be added soon.

Thuraya is the only mobile satellite services (MSS) providerto offer Prepaid Roaming, which comes as part of the Company'scontinued service innovation and differentiation strategy. Withsome 250,000 subscribers, Thuraya has the largest subscriberbase for mobile satellite handhelds.

"With the continued expansion of our Prepaid Roaming partners,the service is expected to be a major attraction for Thuraya'ssubscribers in the 110 countries currently under its coverage,"said Sultan Al Ghafli, Thuraya's Chief Commercial Officer.

Efforts are underway to add more GSM networks to the service,he said. Thuraya already has roaming agreements with 220 GSMnetworks around the world for postpaid subscribers.

"Prepaid Roaming constitutes another dimension of our partnershipwith GSM networks," said Mr. Al Ghafli, elaborating that Thurayais the only mobile satellite operator whose terminals includea GSM service.

Thuraya has successfully launched in recent months the world'ssmallest (SO-2510) and the world's smartest (SG-2520) satellitehandheld phones, which are identical to GSM handsets in termsof size, weight and advanced mobile functionalities.

Thuraya offers highly competitive roaming charges for GSM subscribersusing their SIM cards in Thuraya handsets. For travellers, thatmeans a huge saving on their phone bills. More importantly, GSMusers can also maintain their number while roaming in the vastThuraya coverage area.