
The Mobile Satellite Innovation award by Mobile Satellite Users Association (MSUA) recognizes the device's unparalleled functionality and flexibility
The Thuraya X5-Touch launched in November 2018 as the world's first Android based satellite and GSM phone
The 2019 MSUA award is the third award for Thuraya from the association
Abu Dhabi, UAE, 13th May 2019: Thuraya Telecommunications Company, a subsidiary of Al Yah Satellite Communications Company (Yahsat), has won the Top Mobility User Experience Solution at this year's Mobile Satellite Innovation award organized by Mobile Satellite Users Association (MSUA). The accolade was won by the Thuraya's X5-Touch device - the world's smartest and most innovative satellite phone. The announcement was made during the company's participation at the Satellite 2019 Conference in Washington DC, US.
Thuraya CSO Jassem Nasser accepts MSUA Award for Thuraya X5-Touch
The Top Mobility User Experience Solution award recognizes the X5-Touch's superior usability, as well as its market-leading status, which is underpinned by a series of category-firsts. The X5-Touch is the first satellite phone to run on the Android operating system - a fundamental pillar of its award-winning flexibility and user experience.
The operating system provides users with a multitude of apps on purchase, while developers gain the freedom to develop and customize bespoke apps to meet the unique needs of device users. This complements the bring your own application' (BYOA) concept, where customers can download any app of their choice.
An unrivalled 5.2-inch HD touchscreen protected by a rugged Gorilla glass display, front and rear camera, and high-capacity battery bring everyday smartphone functionality to the remote environments of satellite communication. Meanwhile, the X5-Touch's omni-directional satellite antenna ensures uninterrupted communications in more than 160 countries, including a number across Africa, Asia, Australia, and Europe. In addition, full dual-mode and dual-SIM capabilities provide the flexibility to effortlessly switch between satellite and terrestrial networks.
A host of crucial safety features such as advanced navigation and tracking functions, alongside a built-in SOS button, reinforce the X5-Touch's credentials as a device built for the most remote and testing environments.
Congratulations to all at Thuraya for securing today's award, which is testament to the inventive mindset we encourage at every level of our organization, commented Ali Al Hashemi, Thuraya CEO. Our customers rely on dependable communications to do their job and, in many cases, remain safely connected in remote environments. With this award, the X5-Touch continues to reinforce its credentials for the most demanding of users.
MSUA Award for Top Mobility User Experience Solution
The MSUA accolade isn't the first to be awarded by the association to Thuraya. In 2017 the company's XT-PRO DUAL device won the Top Land Mobility Satcom Innovation Award for a second year, after landing the same title in 2014. Also in 2014, Thuraya's SatSleeve product - which converts a smartphone into a satellite phone - received MSUA's Innovator Award.
Through the design and functionality of the X5-Touch, we set out to create a device that felt as natural and effortless to use as our personal smartphones, but with added ruggedness, commented Shawkat Ahmed, Thuraya's Chief Commercial Officer. Usability is in many ways more important in remote and testing environments than it is elsewhere, and as this award demonstrates, the X5-Touch provides fast, simple and trusted connectivity wherever users venture.
The Thuraya X5-Touch launched in November 2018 with a high-profile promotional campaign that included digital display advertising in Times Square, New York City. Just four months earlier, Thuraya and Yahsat announced an agreement that saw Yahsat acquire a majority and controlling stake in Thuraya. The agreement enabled Thuraya to significantly expand Yahsat's satellite solutions portfolio on both commercial and government fronts, while creating a strong platform to capture the growing opportunity around IoT and M2M applications across both sectors.
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 Yahsat
Yahsat is a leading global satellite operator, providing multipurpose satellite solutions for broadband, broadcast and government communications use across the Middle East, Africa, Europe, and Central and South West Asia. Headquartered in Abu Dhabi, UAE, and wholly owned by Mubadala Investment Company, the investment vehicle of the Government of Abu Dhabi. Yahsat is the first company in the Middle East and Africa to offer Ka-band services including YahClick, Yahsat Government Solutions, YahLink and Yahlive via its Al Yah 1 and Al Yah 2 satellites.
With the launch of Al Yah 3 satellite, Yahsat's commercial Ka-band coverage extended to 20 additional markets, reaching 60% of Africa's population and over 95% of Brazil's popula
Most recent headlines
05/01/2027
Worlds first 802.15.4ab-UWB chip verified by Calterah and Rohde & Schwarz to be ...
26/10/2026
In-venue and creative video staffers at the professional and collegiate level ha...
26/10/2026
The company helps content owners take advantage of the burgeoning FAST business to give viewers more choices
Amagi EVP, Global Sales, SaaS, Dan Marshall has se...
26/10/2026
Behind The Mic provides a roundup of recent news regarding on-air talent, includ...
26/10/2026
Diversified has launched Google Beam demo centers in Los Angeles, Chicago, Nashville and Newark. The centers let businesses try HP Dimension with Google Beam, a...
26/10/2026
Indian news broadcaster NDTV has adopted Amagi's AdFlow Orchestrator to improve channel performance on FAST (Free Ad-supported Streaming TV) and Connected T...
26/10/2026
TEGNA and the Houston Comets have announced a multi-year partnership making KHOU...
26/10/2026
The San Antonio Spurs have named Sinclair Broadcast Group their new over-the-air media partner, bringing Spurs basketball to local fans beginning with the 2026-...
26/10/2026
FOX Sports will mark Veterans Day weekend with two days of NFL and college footb...
26/10/2026
DIRECTV has signed a multi-year distribution agreement with the NHL for four tea...
26/10/2026
How does NBC Sports manage transmission operations for the Super Bowl, Winter Ol...
26/10/2026
University of Texas Athletics and the Business of Sports Institute (BOSI) in the...
26/10/2026
Classmates at Ithaca College and in the Game Creek Video Apprenticeship Program,...
26/10/2026
NAB Show New York and the SMPTE Summit will co-locate at the Javits Center in 2027, bringing together two leading events serving the media and entertainment ind...
26/10/2026
A 10-person team at American Family Field is supporting live game and studio pro...
26/10/2026
Combining four plug-ins aimed at vocal and dialogue work
NoiseWorks Audio have announced the Complete Bundle, a collection which brings together VoiceAssist...
26/10/2026
Boasts improved A-D & D-A specs
RME's flagship converter and headphone amp has just been treated to an upgrade that introduces redesigned converter circ...
26/10/2026
The company has partnered with the telecom provider lcom to launch Play , its n...
26/10/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
26/10/2026
NASHVILLE, OCTOBER 26, 2026 NUGEN Audio has launched VisLM 3, the newest generation of its award-winning loudness metering solution, ahead of AES Show 2026: N...
26/10/2026
CaptionX Launches Clips: Turns Long Videos Into Shorts, Working Entirely From th...
26/10/2026
Horror Film Killer Rental Shot with Blackmagic Design Cameras
Brie Clayton October 26, 2026
0 Comments
Genre mixing film shot with eight URSA Mini Pro...
26/10/2026
PlottoFilm puts script breakdown, storyboards and AI shot generation in one brow...
26/10/2026
NUGEN Audio VisLM 3 Delivers an Array of Tools to Help Professionals Adapt to Ev...
26/10/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
26/10/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
26/10/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
26/10/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
26/10/2026
YouView joins ChangeTheFace to help advance inclusion in technologyOct 26, 2026
Building a more inclusive technology industry takes shared action. That's w...
26/10/2026
YouView celebrates double CSI Awards win with EE TVOct 26, 2026
We're delighted to celebrate EE TV's success at the 2026 CSI Awards, picking up two pre...
26/10/2026
The multi-award-winning comedy from acclaimed director Michael Winterbottom retu...
26/10/2026
As the EU-Mercosur agreement moves closer to implementation, creating one of the world's largest trading areas, much of the focus has been on tariffs. But a...
26/10/2026
Toru , Poland
2026 FilmLight Colour Awards Winners Ceremony Sunday 8 November, 4pm
Seminar Room
Join us along with special guests to celebrate the 2026 FilmL...
26/10/2026
Comscore to Announce Third Quarter 2026 Financial ResultsRESTON, VA, Oct 26, 2026 Comscore, Inc. (Nasdaq: SCOR), a trusted partner for planning, transacting a...
26/10/2026
CUPERTINO, CALIFORNIA Apple today unveiled the all-new iPad mini, featuring a st...
25/10/2026
New 76-key model joins the CK61 and CK88
Yamaha have added a third model to their CK range of portable stage keyboards with the CK76. This brings a 76-key o...
25/10/2026
Do Not Play It By Ear: Next The PrePros Will Focus On All Things Music & Sound
Brie Clayton October 25, 2026
0 Comments
Panel Features Sonic Union, 72...
25/10/2026
Zebra Streaming Equips OB Truck with Blackmagic Design
Brie Clayton October 25, 2026
0 Comments
Designed to scale, the unit packs a range of gear to d...
24/10/2026
Added to the broadcast lineup are 4K and 8K Nucleus cameras, more AR initiatives, two aerial drones, a fleet of high-speed cameras
FOX Sports will broadcast Ga...
24/10/2026
By Ramona Flume
For members of the LGBTQ community around the world, love can ...
24/10/2026
Creative morphing multi-effects with X-Y control
Sample Logic have launched Quadra, a multi-effects plug-in built around an X-Y pad that blends between four...
24/10/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
24/10/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
24/10/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
24/10/2026
Hit Horror Film Buddy Created with DaVinci Resolve Studio
Brie Clayton October 23, 2026
0 Comments
Colorist Sam Daley created authentic 90s kids'...
23/10/2026
CBS Sports will be the exclusive U.S. Spanish-language rights holder for the Con...
23/10/2026
Fubo has announced new distribution agreements for carriage of seven regional sports networks for the 2026-27 NBA season. Through those agreements, the Fubo str...
23/10/2026
CBC/Radio-Canada has selected Dalet to modernize its news operations across Canada, deploying Dalet Pyramid across the organization. CBC/Radio-Canada operates 2...
23/10/2026
EZDRM has been granted US patent 12,659,532 for a method of delivering DRM-protected content over low-latency WebRTC (Web Real-Time Communication) infrastructur...
23/10/2026
Audio-Technica has acquired a new facility in the Hollywood Media District in Hollywood, California, expanding its U.S. operations. The 8,966-square-foot, two-s...