We can do satellite calls in middle of dunes

ahmed_soltan · Post by **ahmed_soltan** » Sun Nov 29, 2015 4:22 pm

Hi folks , etisalat have an offer to enable making calls using Thuraya satellite service using our smart phone - no need for satellite phone - this is very helpful for us where there is no cellular service in middle of dunes and you / any one in the convoy need to place an emergency call .

The good news is it can be monthly subscription and discontinue anytime you do not want the service
The bad news are : it is only for Emirati ( emirates citizens ) , so only emirates club members can get one , the other bad news is : this offer from our competitor ( since I am working in du ) and I am doing a free marketing here for them but thought it might be useful for the club .

Link is below :
http://www.etisalat.ae/nrd/en/generic/a ... huraya.jsp

iguana · Post by **iguana** » Mon Nov 30, 2015 5:59 am

We are discussing with Etisalat on a special Package for AD4x4 members

hierarchize · Post by **hierarchize** » Mon Nov 30, 2015 8:01 am

Nice

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futureshock999 · Post by **futureshock999** » Mon Nov 30, 2015 11:40 am

This is very cool, and I hope the club is able to negotiate a deal.

However, it appears from their FAQs that you do need more than a smartphone. You then need to also have their Smart Sleeve, which appears to be it's own satellite phone that houses another SIM. Your smartphone connects to the Smart Sleeve via WiFi to make the call. The SmartSleeve has it's own satellite antenna that must have a clear view of the sky.

Not too difficult, but I am not sure why that is any easier than having your own satellite phone. The per minute satellite charges do look very, very low however, for some reason much lower than traditional satellite phone costs.

Of course, for some of us, we go to the dunes to get AWAY from phone coverage...

Hani AMJ · Post by **Hani AMJ** » Tue Dec 01, 2015 2:07 am

a couple of years back i was able to use a thuraya phone with my "prepaid" sim card ( at a hiked up rate off-course) perhaps with a combination of this it still can be possible:

http://www.zdnet.com/article/turn-your- ... ite-phone/

joergpietzsch · Post by **joergpietzsch** » Tue Dec 01, 2015 3:57 pm

I was just at Etisalat and got the packed (incl. the sleeve).
Turns out, you can also have it as an Expat

Although I hope I will never have to use it, I believe it's a reasonable price for a big win in security...
Cheers,

Jorg