Abu Dhabi, Oct. 18th, 2006 (WAM)--Abu Dhabi-based Thuraya Satellite Telecommunications Company has officially released its second-generation handheld phones.

The lightest and smallest in the industry, the SO-2510 andthe SG-2520, have received rave reviews since their soft launcha few months ago.

The SO-2510 was a runaway success as the initial shipmentof 10,000 units was sold out in September. Thuraya plans to sell90,000 units in 12 to 15 months. The SG-2520 smart phone willbe commercially available later this year, with the Company planningto sell 70,000 units in 12 months. The SO retails around $725and the SG is expected to sell at about $925.

The introduction of the new phones puts Thuraya years aheadin satellite handhelds and will drive the Company's future businessgrowth, said the mobile satellite service provider in a pressrelease on Wednesday.

"The high demand for the new handsets will create a renewedmarket momentum for us," Thuraya CEO Yousuf Al Sayed said.

The SO-2510 is a satellite only version designed for thoserequiring mobile connectivity in areas beyond terrestrial networks.

At a mere 130 grams, it is the world's lightest and smallestsatellite phone. It is loaded with features such as GPS, a high-resolutioncolour screen, enhanced memory, polyphonic ringtones, USB connectivityand multi-language support. With its easy-to-navigate GSM-likemenu, the handset offers a wide range of services including voice,data, fax and short messaging.

Thuraya recently tested the phone's GPRS capabilities by makingthe first high-speed Internet connection via a satellite handheldterminal. Data can be downloaded at speeds of up to 60Kbps anduploaded at 15Kbps. The GPRS service will be available to customersat an additional fee.

At 180 grams, the smart phone is the only satellite tri-bandphone that provides connectivity on GSM mode in all five continents.

It has all the features of the SO-2510 plus a built-in cameraand advanced streaming media capability.

This handset, the press release adds, is for people who needsatellite connectivity that combines all the new features thatcome in today's high-tech phones, It offers superior GPS navigationthat allows users to find locations and reach destinations quicklyand safely.

It is enriched with GSM 900, 1800 and 1900 MHz capabilities,runs on Windows-based operating system and supports Java. Italso supports more than 10 languages.

The new phones, manufactured by APSI of South Korea, a firmpartly owned by Thuraya, generated a lot of interest at lastmonth's Asia-Pacific Satellite Communications Council (APSCC)conference in Seoul.

Thuraya provides mobile satellite services in more than 110countries in the Middle East, Europe, Africa and Asia. The Companywill launch its third satellite, Thuraya-3, early next year bringingcountries of the Asia-Pacific region under Thuraya's footprintand extending its coverage to nearly two third of the globe'spopulation.