| Compact satellite phone does GSM, GPS too |
Aug. 17, 2007
 Thuraya recently released a phone combining satellite, tri-band GSM, and GPS functionality. The six-ounce, Windows CE-powered SG-2520 makes ordinary cellular calls when it can get a signal, and automatically switches to satellite calling at other times, the company says.
The SG-2520 looks like an ordinary phone |
Unlike satellite phones of yore, the SG-2520 looks and acts like a normal cell phone. Thuraya says that whichever network is being employed (cellular or satellite), users can browse the Web on the device's 1.9-inch display, send and receive email, and access SMS or MMS text messaging.
The SG-2520 employs Thuraya's Geo Mobile Packet Radio Service (GmPRS), claimed to be TCP/IP-compatible and to provide "always on" connectivity. Data transfer is rated at up to 60 Kbps via GmPRS and 85.6 Kbps via GSM.
Also included in the phone is a SiRF starIII GPS receiver. This is said to make the phone useful both as a navigational device and for position reporting.
Finally, the SG-2520 also includes a 1.3 megapixel camera, capable of shooting still pictures and taking video clips. Thuraya claims this is the first device that lets users email images instantly even from remote areas.
Specifications include:- Processor -- not specified
- Memory -- up to 128 MB internal
- Display -- 1.9-inch, 176 x 200 pixels, 262,000 colors
- Camera -- 1.3 megapixel, with 11 x digital zoom
- Wireless:
- satellite voice/data
- GSM tri-band (900/1800/1900) operation
- Geo Mobile Packet Radio Service (GmPRS)
- GPS -- SiRF starIII receiver
- Data transfer rates:
- GmPRS -- up to 60 Kbps downstream, 15 Kbps upstream
- GSM -- up to 85.6 Kbps downstream, 15 Kbps upstream
- I/O interfaces:
- USB 1.1
- Bluetooth 1.1
- Infrared
- Expansion -- SD slot
- Dimensions -- 5.5 x 2.08 x .74 inches (139 x 53 x 19 mm)
- Weight -- 6 ounces (170g)
- Battery life:
- GSM -- 4 hours talk time, 75 hours standby
- Satellite -- 2 hours talk time, 40 hours standby
- Software stack -- Windows CE 4.2, Java (J2ME), HTML, WAP 1.0 and 2.0
Thuraya said in a statement that it plans to sell at least 70,000 units of the SG-2520 by next March. The company claims its satellite-only SO-2510, launched in 2006, to be a "runaway success," with sales of more than 60,000 units in just four months.
The SG-2520 is available now, priced at $1,095 in the U.S.
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