
DUBAI, UAE, April 11, 2018 - Thuraya Telecommunications Company unveiled the world's first satellite smartphone during its partner conference in Dubai. The Thuraya X5-Touch runs on the Android Operating System and has a 5.2 full HD touchscreen. It targets users who frequently move in and out of terrestrial coverage across a range of market sectors including government missions, energy projects, enterprise communications, and NGO deployments. The phone offers fast and simple connectivity on the move, in remote areas normally beyond the reach of smartphones.
The Thuraya X5-Touch is a step closer towards complete convergence between terrestrial and satellite communications through its full dual-mode and dual-SIM capability. It has two SIM-card slots for full user flexibility, and with the dual-active mode it has the ability to have both its satellite and GSM (2G, 3G, or 4G) modes always on' simultaneously.
To cater for the needs of users in harsh and remote conditions, the Thuraya X5-Touch comes with a Gorilla glass display, is the most rugged phone in the MSS industry with an IP67 standard for full dust and water protection, and complies with MIL standard. It also has a host of advanced features and functionalities including a high-capacity battery for extended talk time and standby time, a built-in SOS button and a front and rear camera.
Ahmed Al Shamsi, acting Chief Executive Officer at Thuraya said, Today Thuraya reached a new milestone by introducing another innovative and ground breaking product to the MSS market. Building on the heritage of a long line of successful satellite phones, this new development focuses primarily on delivering a unique and more interactive experience to our customers. With the Android platform there is already a multitude of Apps readily available to work on the Thuraya X5-Touch, and developers will have easy access to develop and customize Apps for the needs of their customers. It complements the Bring Your Own Application (BYOA) concept, customers have the flexibility to download any App of their choice, thereby breaking the paradigm and revolutionizing the way the satellite handset will be used
The Thuraya X5-Touch is equipped with GPS, Glonass, and BeiDou systems for advanced navigation and tracking functions, which are important safety features during critical situations and it comes with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and NFC.
The Thuraya X5-Touch is a game changer and a big step forward in design and functionality placing it in a league of its own, said Alexander Lachner, Director of Voice Services at Thuraya. Creating smarter satellite phones is our constant goal and we are happy to offer our customers a new user experience that many in the industry have been asking and waiting for.
The advanced omni-directional satellite antenna on the Thuraya X5 Touch ensures uninterrupted communications, offering seamless walk-and-talk functionality even in satellite mode. Thuraya's comprehensive satellite network provides reliable, clear and uninterrupted communications in more than 160 countries across Europe, Africa, Asia and Australia; and in terrestrial mode the Thuraya X5-Touch supports most 2G/3G/4G frequencies across the world. The phone works either with Thuraya SIM cards or with GSM SIM cards or a combination of both.
The Thuraya X5-Touch will be available at Thuraya Service Partners in Q4/2018.
About Thuraya Telecommunications Company
Thuraya Telecommunications Company is an industry leading MSS operator and a global telecommunication provider offering innovative communications solutions to a variety of sectors including energy, broadcast media, maritime, military and humanitarian NGOs. The company's diverse range of technologically superior and highly reliable mobile satellite handsets and broadband devices provide ease of use, value, quality and efficiency. Thuraya remains committed to serving humanity through delivering the essential tools for optimal connectivity, never leaving anyone out of reach. Visit www.thuraya.com
Middle East Stories
20/01/2026
The collaboration applies AI-powered aerial imaging to support biodiversity prot...
13/01/2026
April 10, 2025
First Gulf has taken a significant step in its U.S. expansion with the launch of its first industrial development in the country.
First Westla...
13/01/2026
April 11, 2025
Canadian footwear retailer SoftMoc has signed a lease for 145,600 square feet at 901 Hopkins Street in Whitby, where the space will serve as a w...
13/01/2026
April 14, 2025
First Gulf is proud to announce that 25 Ontario has officially received its occupancy permit, marking the transition from an active construction...
13/01/2026
April 28, 2025
First Gulf has been awarded a design-build lease for a new 350,000 square foot office and warehouse facility for Sherwin-Williams. This project ...
13/01/2026
August 13, 2025
First Gulf Expands U.S. Industrial Footprint with First Savanna...
13/01/2026
August 13, 2025
First Gulf is proud to partner with Toromont Industries Ltd. to...
13/01/2026
October 10, 2025
First Gulf is pleased to announce that PPFD, a leading third-party logistics company, has leased 146,536 square feet at 901 Hopkins Street in ...
07/01/2026
Abu Dhabi, UAE 7, January 2026 - Abu Dhabi Police and Space42 (ADX: SPACE42), ...
30/12/2025
It marked the first civilian operational authorization for a HAPS flight in Europe, led by Space42's subsidiary, Mira Aerospace
The flight demonstrated HAP...
22/12/2025
Partnership integrates complementary satellite data and AI analytics to enhance security, infrastructure, and environmental monitoring solutions for global cust...
16/12/2025
Space42 grows Direct-to-Device partner ecosystem through a Memorandum of Underst...
15/12/2025
Space42 and Cobham Satcom completed the full range of advanced terminals for the...
21/11/2025
The agreement creates a platform for joint collaboration, technology integration...
20/11/2025
Dubai, United Arab Emirates [November 20, 2025] Space42 (ADX: SPACE42), the ...
20/11/2025
Partners to co-develop AI-enabled Satcom solutions for national security and gov...
18/11/2025
Abu Dhabi, UAE, November 18, 2025 At Dubai Airshow 2025, Mira Aerospace, the H...
10/11/2025
Marks Thuraya's first operational entry into South Africa
Extends reliable,...
06/11/2025
Venture will deploy and commercialize Level-4 autonomous driving technologies
P...
06/11/2025
Strategic execution and operational optimization lay foundation for sustainable growth
Space Services returns to growth following Thuraya-4 start of operations...
05/11/2025
Supports existing services while powering 16 new products for government and ent...
02/11/2025
Abu Dhabi, UAE November 2, 2025: Space42 (ADX: SPACE42), the UAE-based AI-powe...
27/10/2025
Abu Dhabi, UAE October 27, 2025: Space42 (ADX: SPACE42), the UAE-based AI-powe...
15/10/2025
Abu Dhabi, UAE October 15, 2025: Space42 (ADX: SPACE42), the UAE-based AI-powe...
14/10/2025
Abu Dhabi, UAE October 14, 2025: Space42 (ADX: SPACE42), the UAE-based AI-powe...
14/10/2025
Abu Dhabi, UAE October 14, 2025: Space42 (ADX: SPACE42), the AI-powered SpaceT...
14/10/2025
Abu Dhabi, UAE October 14, 2025: Space42 (ADX: SPACE42), the UAE-based AI-powered SpaceTech company with a global reach, has signed a Memorandum of Understand...
13/10/2025
Abu Dhabi, UAE October 13, 2025: Space42 (ADX: SPACE42), the UAE-based AI-powe...
09/10/2025
Abu Dhabi, UAE October, 09, 2025: Space42 (ADX: SPACE42), the UAE-based AI-pow...
02/10/2025
Transforming satellite data into decision-grade intelligence strengthens soverei...
25/09/2025
Abu Dhabi, UAE September 25, 2025: Space42 (ADX: SPACE42), the UAE-based AI-po...
24/09/2025
Dubai, UAE September 24, 2025: Space42 (ADX: SPACE42), the UAE-based AI-powered SpaceTech company with global reach, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding ...
24/09/2025
Dubai, UAE September 24, 2025: Space42 (ADX: SPACE42), the UAE-based AI-powered SpaceTech company with a global reach, is in the process of developing the UAE...
15/09/2025
Paris, France - September 15, 2025 -- Space42 (ADX: SPACE42), the UAE-based AI-p...
26/08/2025
Luanda, Angola August 26, 2025: Space42, the UAE-based AI-powered SpaceTech company that seamlessly integrates satellite communications, geospatial analytics,...
07/08/2025
Sustained operational optimization, focused capabilities and strategic execution drive resilient H1 performance and higher profit margins
Abu Dhabi, UAE, 07 A...
29/07/2025
MoU will support the Map Africa Initiative, a program designed to create a con...
23/07/2025
Al Yah 4 and Al Yah 5 satellites to enhance sovereign communications capabilities across Middle East, Africa, Europe and Asia
Space42 advances four-pillar g...
19/06/2025
Designed for multipurpose land and maritime use, the Thuraya Mobile Broadband Ho...
21/05/2025
Space42's debut at CommunicAsia 2025 to demonstrate advances in satellite communications, Earth observation, and high-altitude connectivity tailored for Asi...
21/05/2025
GIQ platform developed by Space42 in partnership with the UAE Space Agency, powe...
20/05/2025
Space42 to establish new Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellite manufacturing ...
19/05/2025
The new High Altitude Platform Stations (HAPS) facility enables Mira Aerospace, ...
15/05/2025
Continued delivery across four strategic pillars provides foundation for multi-year scalable growth
Strong balance sheet, USD 895 million in cash and nearly US...
07/05/2025
Abu Dhabi, UAE [Date] Space42 (ADX: SPACE42), the UAE-based AI-powered Space...
12/03/2025
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, and Copenhagen, Denmark: 12 March 2025: Space42...
11/03/2025
Abu Dhabi, UAE and Carlsbad, California 12 March 2025 Space42, (ADX: SPACE42...
03/03/2025
Abu Dhabi, UAE 3 March 2025 Thuraya, the satellite mobility arm of Space42, has Introduced Thuraya One, an Android 14 smartphone with built-in satellite cap...
27/02/2025
Abu Dhabi, UAE, 27 February 2025: Space42 PLC ( Space42 or the Company ), the UAE-based AI-powered SpaceTech company that seamlessly integrates satellite comm...
19/02/2025
Collaboration enables long-term testing and evaluation support for HAPS platform...