Australia's largest Satphone Rental Company

Thuraya Lite & Pro Frequently Asked Questions

Can I send SMS text messages?

Yes, you can send and receive SMS messages. For all our satellite phone options.

What number should I dial for emergency services?

000 is the emergency services number that is designated for emergency calls from all telephone networks in Australia. When calling 000, you will be connected to police, fire, or ambulance. If you are travelling overseas and using your phone, you can call the international emergency number 112 wherever there is Iridium coverage

Can I use my telephone overseas?

The Thuraya network has regional coverage allowing you to use your phone across Australia, up through Asia and across most of Europe and Africa, primarily on land but also coastal regions. Your Thuraya phone will operate at the standard rates within Australia, and outside these areas it will still work however incoming and outgoing calls will be charged at a higher rate

How many Thuraya satellites are there?

Thuraya works off 2 Geostationary Satellites based around the equator. However here in Australia you will only ever use the one satellite based over Singapore so coverage is great through WA/NT/SA and most of QLD however as you get to the southeast of the country the satellite does get a bit low on the horizon which can lead to some black spots.

Can people call me on the satellite phone?

Yes, however please note you need to have the phone switched on and connected to the satellite system for them to be able to call you. If you are just on holiday, we recommend telling people to call you at set times if they need to call. Something like between 6pm and 7pm when you would normally be camped up for the evening having dinner and can have the phone outside connected to the network.

Is it expensive for people to call the Thuraya Lite or Pro satellite phone?

No, all Rent a Satellite Phones are on local number systems so most calls made to the phones will just be a normal mobile call rate. However, as all phone plans are different please note that some users calls may not be included in their free call allowance or might have a small surcharge. 

How to use the Thuraya Lite & Pro Satellite Phone

How do I make a call with my Thuraya satellite phone?

Firstly, make sure you are outside away from trees and tall buildings. Extend the antenna fully and point it straight up at the sky. Press and hold the red power/hang up button on the top right of the keypad. You should see the Thuraya splash screen, followed by 'Searching network'. You should see the signal strength in the top left of the screen. Once you have a strong signal showing in the top left of the screen the phone will register and show 'Thuraya Australia'. Once the phone is registered you are ready to dial. .

How do I call a landline or mobile number using an Thuraya satellite phone?

All Rent A Satellite Phone services are on local number systems so to call a mobile you just dial the number as normal. For landlines you just need to enter the state code and then the number

Sending a text message

To Send a text message go into the Menu and select “Messages” then “New Messages” then “sms”. Type your message using the multi touch keypad and once complete select “Options” then “Send” then “Add recipient” you can then select the recipient from the phone book or manually enter the number. Please Note: when entering the phone number please use full international format for the number so for the mobile 0412 345 678 you would enter the number as +61412345678.

Charging the phone

All phones come with car and wall chargers specific to the handset please note that many mobile chargers do not put out enough power to charge the satellite phones so please use the chargers provided. The charger plugs into the base of the phone however the connection is protected by a little plastic seal.

Sending GPS Location

With the Thuraya handsets you can view and send your current GPS location. To do so go to Menu – Navigation – Current position – Save - Send to phone. Then just enter the phone number to send the location to. Remember to enter the recipients details in full international format to ensure the message is received.

Additional Tips

When you are not using the phone ensure the antenna is stored down to avoid any damage. If you are struggling to get a signal try quickly turning the phone off and on again as the registration process can go into a power saving mode if there no signal for a little while, restarting the phone can just speed things up. Make sure you are in a clear location to get the best signal possible. Satellite connections can be tricky, to keep the best voice quality try to avoid moving around while you are on the phone. If the phone is not getting a good signal remember the satellite is located above Singapore so ensure there is a clear view in that direction.

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