1. Subscription and Call Charges
2. Satellite and GSM Mode
3. Roaming
4. Solutions and Accessories
5. Global Positioning System (GPS) and Short Messaging System (SMS)
6. Technology

 

Subscription and Call Charges

Q:- How do I subscribe to the Thuraya network?

A:- Thuraya offers its products and services through local service providers in each market. The local service provider will handle applications, activations and billing. For detailed Thuraya subscription procedures in your country, please contact your nearest Thuraya Service Provider.

Q:- What are Thuraya's Call Charges?

A:- Thuraya service cost will range from US$ 0.50 to US$1.50 a minute. This will vary based on calling locations and called destinations. Thuraya offers post-paid as well as prepaid services.

Q:- What are the monthly subscription fees?

A:- Thuraya subscription fees vary in some countries due to local regulations. For accurate and up to date information, please contact your local service provider.

Q:- Is there any deposit required for subscription?

A:- It varies from one country to another depending on the local business procedures undertaken by the Service Provider. Nevertheless, the Thuraya prepaid SIM cards are available at all Service Provider locations without any special requirements or possible deposits.

Q:- If someone tries to call me on my Thuraya phone while I'm overseas—what will I be charged?

A:- Thuraya applies the calling party pays principle. In most cases, a Thuraya subscriber will not pay for any incoming satellite calls. The calling party, on the other hand, will be charged according to the local telecom provider rates.

Q:- If I'm a Thuraya subscriber, where will I pay my bill?

A:- If you have a Thuraya SIM/number, the subscription and call charges will be paid to your local service provider in your local currency. If you have a prepaid SIM, however, then there will be a one-time subscription and activation fee. To keep using it, all you need to do is buy scratch cards to top up your balance.

Q:- If I am using a GSM card in my Thuraya phone, can I make satellite calls? Which number would people reach me at?

A:- When a subscriber is using a GSM SIM in a Thuraya phone, the phone acts like a normal GSM phone with your same GSM number. If your GSM operator has a roaming agreement with Thuraya, you will be able to roam into Thuraya and make satellite calls. In this case, you will receive your regular GSM monthly bill with roaming charges stating usage in Thuraya territory.

Q:- Are there any subscription charges for using my GSM SIM card on a Thuraya phone?

A:- Thuraya charges you monthly for your Thuraya SIM card only. If you use the service with your GSM SIM card no subscription charges are applied.

Q:- If I want to buy a Thuraya phone in the UAE, where do I go?

A: - Thuraya products and services are provided through Etisalat main branches all over the UAE. For sales related inquiries, you can call the Thuraya toll free number at 8006633.

Q:- If there is no Service Provider in my country, how can I obtain Thuraya services?

A:- If you do not have a Thuraya service provider in your country, please note that Thuraya phone and services can be purchased online at Thuraya's e-shop http://eshop.thuraya.com .For more updates and information on how to obtain Thuraya's services, please visit our website www.thuraya.com

 

Satellite and GSM Mode

Q:- How does Thuraya dual mode feature work?

A:- With your Thuraya phone and Thuraya SIM, you can make calls via satellite from anywhere within the coverage area. You also have the option of roaming from Thuraya into a local GSM operator given that Thuraya has established a roaming agreement with your local GSM operator.

With your Thuraya phone and GSM SIM, you will be automatically accessing your local GSM operator's network. Hence, your calls will be billed on your normal GSM bill. You also have the option to roam into Thuraya's network to access satellite services given that Thuraya has already established a roaming agreement with your local GSM operator. With a GSM phone and a Thuraya SIM, you will be roaming from Thuraya into your local GSM operator network given that Thuraya has already established a roaming agreement with your local GSM operator. Nevertheless, it will be impossible to access Thuraya services through your GSM phone because Thuraya phones have special equipment that makes communication with the satellite possible.

 

Roaming

Q:- Can you define Thuraya Roaming?

A:- Thuraya Roaming is a service that allows:
- Thuraya subscribers (with Thuraya SIM cards) to access other GSM networks in and out of Thuraya coverage area, using Thuraya handset or any other compatible phone.

- GSM subscribers (with GSM SIM cards) to access Thuraya Satellite network anywhere in the coverage area using their existing GSM SIM cards and a Thuraya phone.

Q: What services are available for Thuraya subscribers when roaming in GSM networks?

A:- Thuraya postpaid subscribers can make and receive calls and SMS while roaming in the GSM networks.

Thuraya prepaid subscribers presently can only receive calls & SMS while roaming on GSM networks.

Q: In which GSM networks can Thuraya subscribers roam?

A:- Thuraya subscribers can roam in over 200 GSM networks that are Thuraya's Roaming Partners.

 

Solutions and Accessories

Q:- Does Thuraya have Prepaid scratch cards?

A:- Thuraya prepaid scratch cards will be available at all service provider locations. These cards can be used only if you have a Thuraya prepaid SIM card and they work anywhere in Thuraya's coverage area.

Q:- How long is the validity of a prepaid scratch card?

A:- The validity of a prepaid scratch card is three months from the day you place your first call using the new scratch card.

Q:- Can I receive or make a call on a Thuraya phone while driving?

A:- In most cases you will be able to receive or make calls while driving. To get optimal reception however, you will need to have direct line of sight with the Thuraya satellite.

Q:- Does Thuraya have a car kit?

A:- Thuraya Vehicular Docking Adaptor (VDA) provides a station for the Thuraya phone recharging and in-vehicle operations.
Thuraya's VDA is also available with all service providers.

Q:- What is 'Fixed Docking Unit'?

A:- The 'Fixed Docking Unit' (FDU) allows satellite usage in an indoor environment such as home or office. It complements the Thuraya phone by extending its operations and functionalities inside buildings where the satellite signal is not sufficient. Simply dock the Thuraya phone in 'FDU' and you're ready to use it indoors. All the standard satellite-based services such as voice, fax/data and the supplementary services will be available when the phone is docked.

Q:- What is included in the Thuraya phone package?

A:- Thuraya package comes with a phone, standard battery, SIM card, travel charger, user manuals, and a warranty card.

Q:- What sort of accessories can I find for Thuraya phones?

A:- Thuraya will introduce a whole new range of dynamic phone accessories to complement its mobile satellite services. The following accessories will be available through your local service providers:

FDU
Vehicular Docking Adaptor (VDA)
Car Charger
Earset
Travel Charger
Software Package
Standard Battery Pack

Q:- How do I use Data and Fax services from a Thuraya phone?

A:- You will need to connect your Thuraya phone to a laptop/computer with a “Data Cable”(Thuraya Accessory) via a serial port. The Data Cable can be used to send/receive data and fax at 9.6 kbps.

 

Global Positioning System (GPS) and Short Messaging System (SMS)

Q:- How do I use GPS on the Thuraya phone?

A:- In the phone menu, you can access all GPS related features from the “GPS manager” submenu.

Q:- How can I give my location to someone?

A:- After you determine your GPS location, you can send it via SMS to anyone.

Q:- Can I use Thuraya's GPS feature if the Thuraya phone is in GSM mode (even when using an existing GSM SIM card)?

A:- As long as you have a Thuraya phone you will be able to access Thuraya's GPS feature regardless of the network you are registered on.

Q:- Are there any additional charges for using the GPS feature?

A:- No, GPS is a built-in feature and free of charge in all Thuraya phones.

Q:- What is the Thuraya SMS center number?

A:- The Thuraya SMS center number is "+882161900000”

Q:- How do I set up my message preferences to be able to use Thuraya's SMS service center?

A:- Please follow the procedure below:

·                                     Go to menu.

·                                     Choose "Settings".

·                                     Then choose "SMS Parameter".

·                                     Then choose "SMS Center".

·                                     Enter "+882161900000” as the SMS center number.

Since Thuraya considered a virtual country, always use full country codes and numbers when sending SMS messages.

Q:- In what languages does Thuraya phone support SMS?

A:- Thuraya phone supports SMS in English, Italian, French, and German.

 

Technology

Q:- Why is there a requirement for a large L-band antenna?

A:- To enable the user to transmit low power using Thuraya's handheld terminal, the spacecraft will require high sensitivity or high G/T to receive the signal. From the transmission side of the spacecraft, the system also requires a high gain antenna to provide high power, quality signals to the individual handheld users.

Q:- What is the excess power that the satellite transmits during shadowing?

A:- Thuraya system will provide a 10 dB fade margin to handheld users for typical shadowing.

Q:- What is the handset power in the satellite mode?

A:- Thuraya's transmitted power of a maximum of 2 W, is similar to the GSM 900. The power control in both systems is the same. This means that the mobile terminal will not transmit the maximum power when it is not needed.

Q:- Why is the Thuraya terminal antenna thickness larger than the normal GSM handset antenna?

A:- The Thuraya user terminal operates on a dual frequency of GSM 900 MHz and satellite at a 1.6/1.5 GHz range and therefore requires additional hardware for such dual band operations. The Thuraya handset uses a Quadrifilar helical L-band antenna consisting of helices wound on a cylinder, which give it a larger in size compared to normal GSM antennas.

Q:- What are the main differences between the Primary Gateway and the national gateways?

A:- The primary gateway contains a gateway station which serves as the link between the fixed and mobile public terrestrial networks, both for originating and terminating calls. The primary gateway is also equipped with:
The Satellite Operation Center (SOC) which operates and maintains the satellite
The Advanced Operation Center (AOC), which is responsible for the radio resource management of the satellite traffic channels.

The Central Operation Support System (OSS) which provides the functions for customer care, billing and SIM card personalization for the entire network (including the NGWs)
The National Gateway contains a gateway station but not the SOC, AOC, and OSS. However, a local Operation and maintenance Center could be provided.

Each GW (including PGW) is assigned to manage a subset of the satellite resources and serve a specific region in the ground. However, the primary gateway is designed to manage more subsets and more regions than any national gateway.

Q:- What is the effect of the radiation of the Mobile Terminal to the human body?

A:- The results of the Specific Absorption Rate test (SAR= power absorbed per unit mass of tissue) shows that the power of the handheld terminal with the antenna (in both the extended/deployed and retracted/stowed positions) meet the European and IEEE/ANSI standards–even for Satellite Mode (GEM) on 9.6 kbps data mode.

Q:- What is the modulation type?

A:- Thuraya's carrier modulation is QPSK

Q:- What is Thuraya's blocking rate?

A:- The average blocking rate is less than 2%

Q:- What security features are built into the Thuraya links?

A:- Thuraya uses encryption which is equivalent in robustness to the standard GSM encryption.

Q:- What is the size of the Thuraya spacecraft L-band antenna?

A:- 12.25m (40 ft) X 16m (52 ft)