Thuraya satellite phone

Ever since Irit and I almost got lost in the dark walking in the hills of the Negev desert (in Israel) near Mitzpe Ramon a few years ago, I've thought about getting a satellite phone with coverage everywhere.

When I was in Dubai last December, I bought a Thuraya SO-2601 which weighs only 130 grams but I didn't have much occasion to use it until now. Next week we are off for a cruise in the Mediterranean and so I'm starting to test it. Satellite phones (at least this one) - like GPS receivers - need a direct view of the sky. Putting the phone on the dashboard of my car kept me within satellite coverage but when I received a call (from Thuraya customer support in Ajman, UAE) I had to pull over and get out of the car to hold the conversation.

Thuraya is a company based in the United Arab Emirates offering satellite service covering all of Europe, the Mediterranean, Middle East and most of Africa. Call rates are very competitive - 39 US cents/ minute to other networks from most countries. The phone can also act as a modem for a GPRS-type Internet connection witha laptop but I haven't got this to work yet.

I left the phone on today (don't know why because no-one I know knows my +88216 number) and when I returned I noticed to my amazement that I had a missed call. All the more amazing because the calling number is in the city of Shiraz in Iran and I definitely don't think I have any friends. It's probably a wrong number, but I'll call back tomorrow to check. Maybe Ahmedinajad wants to talk - well, he's found the right person.....