Thuraya Elects New Board of Directors during Annual General Meeting

Abu Dhabi, (April 2, 2012) –  Thuraya, the leading international mobile satellite operator yesterday announced the election of a new Board of Directors at its Annual General Meeting. Serving a three-year term, the newly elected 2012 Board of Directors comprises:

1. Mr. Mohammad Hassan Omran, Chairman — ETISALAT
2. Mr. Khalid Ahmed Balkheyour, President & CEO — ARABSAT
3. HH Sheikh Abdulrahman bin Munarak Saif Al Thani — QTEL
4. Mr. Nasser Bin Obood, A/CEO — ETISALAT UAE
5. Mr. Yousuf Al Sayed, Head of Group Transformation Office – ETISALAT
6. Mr. Obaid Al Sharid, Senior Vice President — Financial Operations – ETISALAT
7. Mr. Abdulrahman Al Mubarak — Abu Dhabi Economic Council
8. Mr. Ahmed Mohamed Abdul Jalil Al Fahim – Abu Dhabi Economic Council
9. Mr. Khalid Bin Kalban, Managing Director – Dubai Investments PJSC

Thuraya also announced that for the first time two independent directors will join its Board. They are:

• Mr. Michael Butler, former President and Chief Operating Officer of Inmarsat, and 
• Mr. Charles W. Moore, President of Lockheed Martin Global, ME and Africa

The elections of Messrs. Butler and Moore strengthen Thuraya’s international reach and focus at this time of growth for the company.

Thuraya’s Chairman, Mr. Mohammad Omran, said on this auspicious occasion, “We are pleased to announce Thuraya’s new Board of Directors, with strong representation from its majority shareholders, and global leaders in the telecommunications and investment sectors, who demonstrate their continued support and confidence in Thuraya’s international expansion.”

Mr. Omran added, “I am confident that our newly elected members will enable Thuraya to continue to assert itself as a market leader in the Mobile Satellite Services industry, offering the most advanced satellite communications services to more than two thirds of the world’s population.”

Most recently Thuraya launched its latest generation dual-mode satellite and GSM phone, Thuraya XT-DUAL making it the only operator to offer seamless communications all over the world. Part of Thuraya’s offerings is also the world’s smallest satellite broadband solution to support 384 Kbps streaming, Thuraya IP.

Thuraya is the market leader in mobile satellite handhelds with 60% market share within its coverage area that spans Europe, Africa, Middle East, Asia and Australia.

Thuraya is a leading international mobile satellite operator that provides quality, affordable satellite communication solutions in more than 140 countries across Europe, Africa, Middle East, Asia and Australia, and to the rest of the world through its unique dual-mode satellite/terrestrial solutions.

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 maritime.

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 regional and international investment firms, and is the world’s leading provider of mobile satellite handhelds in its coverage area, with nearly 60% market share.

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Contact:

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