UAE based Thuraya Telecommunications Company is pleased to announce the launch of a new location service, ThurayaLocate™, in conjunction with UK based Geonix, a specialist in location services and equipment.
Available immediately, the ThurayaLocate™ service allows anyone with any Thuraya handset ever made to view their position on maps, satellite images and aerial photography anywhere in the world. Uniquely, every satellite phone ever developed for the Thuraya network contains an embedded GPS positioning system, and this is used - when initiated by the user - to report the handset's position to the ThurayaLocate™ servers. From there, the position display can be shared - again as defined by the user - with any friends, family, employer or rescue agency. The service is available to all Thuraya customers FREE OF CHARGE and requires the user to simply register initially and activate the service from their respective handsets.
ThurayaLocate™ services are for people who will be working or travelling primarily in off-the-beaten-track locations who desire additional security for themselves as well as peace of mind. Typical users will include:
- Backpackers letting friends and family see where they are and where they've been
- Outdoor adventurers - skiers, hikers, bikers, climbers, canoeists, coastal and ocean sailors
- Balloonists, paragliders and light aviation pilots
- Fishing fleets, coastal and oceanic cargo ships, water taxis, ferries, river and cruise boats
- Long distance drivers, truckers and courier companies
- Government ministers and staff on overseas assignments
- Corporate clients working in remote locations
- Oil/gas/mineral exploration teams; pipeline, road, rail and GSM network construction teams
- Overland travel companies, tourist coaches, 4x4 rally enthusiasts
- World Bank, United Nations and agencies working in developing markets
- Disaster relief agencies - forest fire, flood, tsunami, earthquake
- Anyone travelling and working in off-the-beaten-track locations who values additional security
Dr Sven Rohte, Thuraya's Chief Commercial Officer, in announcing the service commented: "We are confident that the ThurayaLocate™ service will be a positive step forward in aiding all our customers to report where they are and to travel safely. Thanks to the foresight of Thuraya from its inception, every mobile handset we have ever made contains a GPS positioning system - this is unique not only in the satellite world but in conventional GSM mobiles as well. We are delighted to be working more with Geonix, one of our independent third party developers, and believe today's announcement further reaffirms the strength of our 3rd party developer programme".
David Bland, the Chief Executive of Geonix, commented: "From the streets of London through the deserts of the Middle East to the Australian outback, ThurayaLocate™ can let you and anyone you designate to know where you are and that you are safe."
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About Thuraya (www.thuraya.com)
Thuraya, based in the United Arab Emirates, provides cost-effective mobile satellite services in more than 140 countries in Asia, Africa, Europe and the Middle East. Services provided by Thuraya include mobile voice, broadband, maritime, rural telephony, fleet management and other advanced applications that enable people and businesses everywhere under its coverage to enjoy constant access to communications and information.
The Company has launched its third satellite on 15 January this year, bringing countries of the Asia-Pacific region under its footprint and extending its coverage to nearly two thirds of the globe's population.
Thuraya was founded in 1997 by a consortium of leading national telecommunications operators and reputed investment firms from the region.
About Geonix (www.geonix.com)
Geonix (www.geonix.com) are specialists in location based services and equipment, covering a wide variety of applications from close personal protection to the tracking of fleets and other mobile and portable assets. Geonix specialises in solutions that operate where GSM networks are available and in the more remote areas on land and sea - some 95% of the surface of the globe -- where only satellite networks reach.
Geonix is based in Bath, United Kingdom, and operates globally via a network of overseas distributors and agents.
For more information:
Thuraya:
Mr. Ebrahim K. Ebrahim
Corporate Communications Department
Thuraya Telecommunications Co.
Post Box 33344, Abu Dhabi,
UAE
Tel. 971-2-616-1388
Fax: 971-2-641-7884
e_ebrahim@thuraya.com
Geonix:
David J Bland
+44 1225 470013
Chief Executive
Geonix Tracking Ltd
The Coach House,
Barrow Castle, Bath BA2 2QR
Tel: +44 1225 470013
e-mail: david.bland@geonix.com
© Press Release 2008
