Thuraya Signs Service Partner Agreement with Africell Holding to Serve African Markets

ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates (Jan. 23, 2012) – To embolden its distribution network in Africa, Thuraya, the leading international mobile satellite operator has signed a service partner agreement with Africell Holding (a subsidiary of Lintel Holding). Through this partnership, Africell, one of Africa’s most dynamic GSM operators, will be providing Thuraya’s data and voice services in Gambia, Sierra Leone and the Democratic Republic of Congo.  

Thuraya provides border-to-border seamless satellite coverage over Africa, which complements existing terrestrial operators such as Africell ensuring that consumers out of GSM reach can access reliable and cost-effective satellite communications.

Furthermore, as the only satellite operator that offers satellite roaming capabilities for GSM consumers, Thuraya allows access for people on the move to enjoy the ubiquitous coverage of the Company’s robust network by simply inserting their GSM SIM cards into any Thuraya handheld.

“Africa offers significant business opportunities due to its size, geographical composition, population and economical potential. The new partnership with Africell is part of our strategy to enhance our distribution network and reach out to our vertical industry consumers wherever they choose to operate. We aim to empower people and businesses in Africa through modern, cutting-edge and reliable value satellite communications,” said Thuraya’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Samer Halawi.

On this occasion, Mr. Ziad Dalloul, Chief Executive Officer of Lintel, said, “Offering Thuraya services will provide us with a competitive edge especially in countries like the Democratic Republic of Congo which is the size of Western Europe where Thuraya services would allow our subscribers to stay in touch even in the most remote areas.”

Thuraya offers the world’s smallest satellite broadband solution to support 384 Kbps streaming “Thuraya IP” and the only satellite handheld to offer full walk-and-talk capability “Thuraya XT”. This is in addition to maritime, tracking, capacity leasing, and other specialised space-based solutions.

Africell Holding operates three GSM operations; Africell Gambia, Africell Sierra Leone, and Africell RDC. The Gambia and Sierra Leone operations are leaders with around 60% market share in both markets; the DRC operation is set to be launched by Q2 2012.

About Thuraya (www.thuraya.com)

Thuraya is a leading international mobile satellite services operator that provides quality, affordable communication solutions in more than 140 countries across Europe, Africa, Middle East, Asia and Australia. Thuraya’s portfolio encompasses data, voice and maritime products and services that support dual GSM and satellite mode and advanced applications, to provide people and businesses with constant connectivity when they need it most. Thuraya specifically designs successful satellite communication solutions for vertical sectors such as energy, media, government, NGOs and the maritime community.

Thuraya’s robust, powerful satellite network enables two-thirds of the globe’s population to communicate clearly and effectively in areas underserved by terrestrial networks.

Thuraya was founded in 1997 by a consortium of leading national telecommunications operators and reputed international investment firms, and is the world’s leading provider of mobile satellite handhelds in its coverage area, with nearly 65% market share.

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Contacts:
Mr. Ebrahim K. Ebrahim
Corporate Communications Department
Thuraya Telecommunications Co.
Post Box 283333 Dubai, UAE
Tel: 971-4-4488-828
Fax: 971-4-4488-899
Email: [email protected]