6thurayaThuraya, the satellite communication company from UAE, launched its latest consumer friendly satellite communication products last month at CommunicAsia/BroadcastAsia 2013 in Singapore. Asian eMarketing had a chance to interview Sanford Jewett, Vice President Marketing, at the show, where the new products were presented. Sanford is with Thuraya for a year now, having been in the wireless and internet industries for over 30 years with companies like Skytel, AOL and Iridium.

A key product of interest, especially designed to penetrate the consumer satellite communication market, is SATSLEEVE, which basically is a sleek attachment to your iPhone 4 that converts it into a full-fledged satellite phone whenever necessary. It still keeps its familiar and convenient features available to the user, not having to carry or learn how to use another phone. While the current version is only voice and text capable, the next generation, expected to be available in about half a year, will also be able to transmit data, providing the convenient features of a fully functional smart phone even in the most remote regions.

Mr__T__Sanford_Jewett1Currently, the SATSLEEVE is only available for iPhone 4/4S, but an attachment sleeve for the iPhone5 is almost ready, and the next step will be to make it available as a sleeve for select Android, and potentially even Blackberry products at a later stage. However, Microsoft-based phones are currently not on the radar. Due to the fast change and broad range of Android phones, not all will be able to get their own sleeve design, which will be solved by enabling other phones to connect to the functionality of the core unit via Bluetooth.

Another nice feature is that the “base unit” has a built in SOS key, which enables the user to call one pre-programmed number, even if the iPhone is not available or damaged. The price of the devise will be very competitive, as it is positioned lower than most sat phones on the market.

With this device Thuraya is now penetrating the consumer market in Asia, already having tied up with some large Telco operators like Chunghwa Telecom in Taiwan, Pivotel in Australia, China Mobile Satellite Communications Group, as well as most recently Soft Bank in Japan. This should give Thuraya access to large markets in the region, not only for commercial communications, but also the consumer market, with its - so far - unique product offering of the SATSLEEVE.

Another very portable device is the IP+, a small, portable rugged data transmission device, which can stream with speeds of up to 444 kbps. It could also be accessible for consumers, but most likely will be used more for commercial purposes, like broadcast media use. With its integrated antenna, it can easily fit into a back-pack.

IP_1

Though these products would definitely be appealing to the global market, with its two large high orbit satellites, Thuraya’s coverage is limited to Europe, Asia and Africa, covering two thirds of the globe. The satellite hovering right above South East Asia should ensure an exceptionally good communication quality in this region.

Though Sanford Jewett did not want to be specific on the air time pricing, according to him the rates are more competitive than most of the other providers, to the point that air time should be lower than many mobile roaming plans. So, for potential future satellite communications users, who do not need coverage in the Americas, these might just be the products they were looking for. The next generation of devices will for sure allow you to read Asian eMarketing even in the most remote areas, taking connectivity to the next level.

By Roger Stadler