Thuraya Partners with SoftBank Mobile for Japanese Satellite Network Service
By Rebecca Lincks | December 17, 2012
[Satellite TODAY 12-17-12] Mobile satellite services provider Thuraya Telecommunications and Japanese telecommunications company SoftBank Mobile have partnered to provide Japanese business, enterprise, and consumer subscribers across Thuraya’s satellite network with mobile satellite communication services, the companies announced Dec. 17.
Softbank Mobile has been approved to provide Thuraya’s satellite network services in Japan. Starting February 2013, Thuraya’s handsets and airtime services will be sold to customers from SoftBank Mobile’s distribution channels. A new version of Thuraya’s handsets will be designed by both companies with special features, exclusively available for sale from SoftBank Mobile.
SoftBank users now have access to Thuraya’s services who are located outside of terrestrial networks, or in areas where those networks are either unavailable or are vulnerable to natural disasters. Thuraya’s services aim to allow media, energy, government, and all other types of enterprises, as well as individual consumers to communicate at any time from anywhere in Japan and the maritime areas surrounding it.