uraya partners with Airtel Africa to bring mobile satellite connectivity to 7 countries acro Africa

Thuraya partners with Airtel Africa to bring mobile satellite connectivity to 17 countries across Africa Unique partnership agreement to expand mobile connectivity and help bridge the digital divide in Africa

Airtel Africa retail outlets and enterprise team to offer full suite of Thuraya satellite products including the SatSleeve, XT satellite phones and broadband terminals bundled with airtime packages

Dubai, UAE and Nairobi, Kenya, March 31, 2014 - Thuraya Telecommunications Company, a leading Mobile Satellite Services (MSS) operator and Bharti Airtel International BV today announced an agreement to provide Airtel Africa customers with mobile satellite products and services across 17 countries in Africa. The partnership will provide Airtel Africa customers voice and broadband connectivity via Thuraya's satellite network across the continent's most remote areas. Commencing from May onwards, Airtel Africa will sell Thuraya's products and airtime packages at their retail outlets and through their Enterprise account team.

Extending mobile networks into remote or rural areas presents both geographical obstacles and business challenges for connecting people in Africa. Thuraya's satellite network helps bridge the digital divide by providing an immediate and cost-effective way for Airtel Africa to extend its coverage, while generating new revenue streams and providing vital connectivity. Thuraya's mobile satellite service can address the diverse voice and data communication needs of Airtel Africa enterprise users across the mining, energy, media, government and humanitarian NGO sectors.

Samer Halawi, Chief Executive Officer of Thuraya said, Thuraya's partnership with Airtel Africa is a very positive development in bridging the digital divide in Africa. We recognize the massive impact that access to reliable communications can have on the lives of ordinary people. Thuraya's robust satellite network will enable Airtel Africa to provide its consumer and enterprise users with reliable, high quality voice and broadband services. Thuraya is well-positioned to support customer-centric mobile operators like Airtel Africa that are looking to extend their network and services with satellite-based solutions.

Christian de Faria, Chief Executive Officer of Airtel Africa said, Providing reliable connectivity in many remote parts of Africa can be challenging. This partnership enables us to further extend our coverage and services for businesses and general consumers who live or work in very remote areas. Thuraya's satellite services will be combined with the reliable, high-quality voice calls and broadband access that our customers are accustomed to experiencing in our urban centers.

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 NGO. Thuraya's superior network enables clear communications and uninterrupted coverage across two thirds of the globe by satellite and across the whole planet through its unique GSM roaming capabilities. 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

About Airtel Africa

As Africa's largest internet service provider, Airtel is driven by the vision of providing innovative mobile services to all. Airtel has African operations in: Burkina Faso, Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Republic of the Congo, Gabon, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Madagascar, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia.

About Bharti Airtel

Bharti Airtel Limited is a leading global telecommunications company with operations in 20 countries across Asia and Africa. Headquartered in New Delhi, India, the company ranks amongst the top 4 mobile service providersglobally in terms of subscribers. In India, the companys product offerings include 2G, 3G and 4G wireless services, mobile commerce, fixed line services, high speed DSL broadband, IPTV, DTH, enterprise services including national & international long distance services to carriers. In the rest of the geographies, it offers 2G, 3G wireless services and mobile commerce. Bharti Airtel had over 289 million customers across its operations at the end of January 2014.

For further information please contact:

Shereen Hanafi

Director of Communications, Thuraya

Tel: + 971-4-4488-888

Email: corporatecomms@thuraya.com

Michael Okwiri

Vice President of Communications & PR, Airtel Africa

Email: Michael.Okwiri@africa.airtel.com

LINK:	http://www.thuraya.com/content/thuraya-partners-airtel-africa-bring-mo...
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