Compact satellite phone does GSM, GPS too

location based services LBS
personal navigation devices PND


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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