UAE-based telecom group Etisalat is offering its mobile post-paid customers a unique bundle of Thuraya Telecommunication’s satellite-enabled calling minutes and SMS from anywhere in the world, except the US.

The new mobile bundle ‘AnA Emirati’ is designed to meet the demands of customers who spend their time outdoors in the desert or at sea. It provides them with a highly affordable alternate connectivity solution in remote locations, a statement said.

Customers opting for the Ana Emirati mobile post-paid satellite bundles can continue placing both GSM and satellite calls using their same, existing mobile number and phone. They benefit from an additional free SIM card with the same number to be inserted in the satellite Hotspot device.

Khaled ElKhouly, chief consumer officer at Etisalat, said: “Etisalat has always been at the forefront in providing advanced and fast-speed connectivity across the UAE’s populated regions. Now, with our new integrated plan – the first in the world, and in partnership with Thuraya Telecommunications, we have the UAE’s adventure lovers covered or anyone for that matter, when they head out in any location with limited GSM connectivity.”

“Our new satellite bundles can be added on to any mobile post-paid consumer tariff plan. It lets customers transform their smartphones into satellite devices, allowing them to stay in touch with their friends and families over while they are in remote locations,” he added.

To make a satellite call, users need to have a clear line of sight to the satellite, which means outdoor areas with no trees or obstacles.

Customers need to insert one SIM into their mobile phone and the other SIM in the SatSleeve Hotspot device, which allows them to connect their mobile phones with the SatSleeve hotspot through Wi-Fi.

The user needs to download the SatSleeve Hotspot app on their iPhone or android device, open up the SatSleeve Hotspot app, which will search for Thuraya Telecommunications network automatically. It then allows the customer make a satellite call, send a satellite SMS or access the address book to look up a contact through the SatSleeve Hotspot app. Customers will be charges an out-of-bundle rate of Dh2 ($0.54) per satellite minute for outgoing and incoming calls and Dh1 per satellite SMS. – TradeArabia News Service