Developing regions are within the footprint of the Thuraya satellite, which reaches one-third of the planet and 1.8 billion people, according to Torres - Thuraya will serve Africa, the Middle East and parts of Asia, as well as Western Europe. 

A mobile phone service that relies on local GSM (global system for mobile communications) networks but switches to a direct satellite connection when roaming beyond network range is now available to 20 countries that span the globe from Britain to Bangladesh. 

Thuraya, a regional mobile communications system built by Boeing Satellite Systems (BSS) and Hughes Network Systems for Thuraya Satellite Telecommunications Company of United Arab Emirates (UAE), has completed test runs and will go commercial next month, according to representatives of the three companies. 

Instant Infrastructure 

Satellite phone service may become increasingly popular as a way to serve the developing world, Boeing spokesperson George Torres told Wireless NewsFactor. 

Thuraya's dual-mode service automatically switches to satellite if local GSM networks are unavailable, Torres said, with satellite connectivity costing about 50 to 70 U.S. cents per minute. Thuraya said its offerings will include voice, data, fax and GPS location services. 

"I think satellites have a big advantage in nondeveloped areas," Torres said. "It's instant infrastructure." 

In Thuraya's Footprint 

Developing regions are within the footprint of the Thuraya satellite, which reaches one-third of the planet and 1.8 billion people, according to Torres. Thuraya will serve Africa, the Middle East and parts of Asia, as well as Western Europe, according to the company. 

Thuraya launched limited trial service in the UAE in May, then expanded to Italy, Britain, Denmark, Romania and Sudan. This expansion came a month after a call was placed successfully between Morocco and Bangladesh, the two farthest points in the Thuraya coverage area. More markets are due to come on line in the weeks leading up to the July full-service launch. 

"Trials have validated that the voice quality and availability of the Thuraya system have been very good," said Thuraya chairman Mohammad Omran. 

High Technology 

In October, Boeing launched the high-power Thuraya-1 GEO-mobile satellite built by Boeing Satellite Systems, a unit of The Boeing Company (NYSE: BA), along with ground facilities and handsets from Hughes Network Systems. 

Boeing also built a second, ground-based satellite that can be launched to replace the airborne one if necessary, or to expand service if Thuraya so chooses. 

Torres said a high-orbit geosynchronous satellite offers better coverage than low-orbit systems that require many more satellites to cover the planet. Three geosynchronous units would cover the globe, and the Thuraya satellite can handle 13,000 calls at time, he added. 

High Expectations 

Thuraya expects its service to take off as sharply as its rocket-propelled satellite did. 

"Based on the initial demand as well as system performance, we should see demand for about 400,000 handsets in a year's time," Omran said. "We've informed the manufacturers that we may have to order more handsets." 

Thuraya will receive 235,000 handsets by year-end. The company said it ultimately will provide its service to 100 countries containing a total of 2.5 billion people across the Middle East, North and Central Africa, Europe, the Indian subcontinent and Central Asia. Thuraya service will be delivered through service providers throughout its coverage region. Currently, Thuraya has about 40 service providers and 77 roaming partnerships. 

Torres said he expects satellite services to flourish as an alternative to costly infrastructure in rural and underdeveloped areas. 

"We've had interest from other people [in such satellites]," he said. "The reason is, I think there's more potential for geosynchronous systems. Clearly, in [rural] areas where there's not a large market, it doesn't pay to put in terrestrial cell stations, [but] with the satellite, you can cover 1 person or 1.8 billion with one footprint."