Satellite service operator IEC Telecom Group showcases an innovative device to revolutionise the humanitarian response and unlock new opportunities for critical communications in the field. Skyphone by Thuraya is the first-ever universal smartphone with cellular and satellite connectivity. Complemented by value-added services from IEC Telecom, Skyphone will empower first responders and camp administrators in the MENA region with flexible and reliable communications in the field. Skyphone has been unveiled in the GCC at the 20th Dubai International Humanitarian Aid & Development (DIHAD) Exhibition, taking place from April 23rd to 25th at Dubai World Trade Centre.
Digital access is expanding steadily across the world – with 5.35 billion people using the internet in 2024 and 97 million new users coming online for the first time in 2023, reflecting a growth of 1.8% over the past year. Internet adoption in Northern America and Europe surpassed 90%, while it is over 99% in most GCC countries. Despite the global march towards connectivity, regrettably, one-third of the global population still has no internet access. Predominantly they reside in areas where the aid operations take place.
The escalating risk of natural disasters and growing geopolitical tensions underscore the critical need for humanitarian assistance. In fact, armed conflicts continue to affect 14 of the world’s least connected nations. With aid operations facing mounting pressure, budgetary concerns become paramount. NGO operations necessitate dependable and readily deployable solutions that don’t require substantial supportive infrastructure. Skyphone is ideally situated to meet this demand.
Delivering seamless connectivity, Skyphone is ideal for humanitarian missions because of its dust and water-resistant case. Over GSM, the device will provide voice and data services and can be used for all types of applications, akin to a regular smartphone. Over satellite, Skyphone will offer Direct-to-Device service, supporting calls and SMS in 2024, with IoT and texting to be added in 2025.
Committed to providing connectivity solutions to the humanitarian sector for nearly three decades, IEC Telecom takes the Skyphone’s capabilities to a new level, enabling Push-to-Talk (PTT) functionality and tracking over the same device. These features are essential for critical missions, supporting cost-effective group communications on the ground, instant distribution of important updates, and real-time monitoring of user geolocation by the HQ.
“When disaster strikes, fast response is all that matters. With PTT functionality, Skyphone can be used as a radio, facilitating the coordination of rescue operations. GPS tracking, in turn, will provide visibility over the team’s deployment, helping HQ monitor the progress and send reinforcements to a specific user as soon as an alert is received,” says Nabil Ben Soussia, Group CCO, IEC Telecom. “For long-term missions, such as humanitarian camps or social support programs, Skyphone (powered by Traksat) will serve as a powerful tool to boost operational efficiency, improving logistics and facilitating cooperation in the field,” he adds.
The Traksat[1] PTT solution encompasses a dispatch console for remote administration and an intuitive end-user application. In satellite mode, Traksat enables PTT services, geofencing, push notifications, SOS functionality, two-way messaging and more. In cellular mode, the PTT solution over Skyphone will also support the exchange of multimedia and video calls.
The launch of Skyphone aligns with Yahsat’s D2D strategy, aiming to allow users to harness the capabilities of space technology anywhere in the world.
The new phone will be commercially available in September 2024. The demo unit is displayed at the joint Thuraya and IEC Telecom stand at DIHAD this week.
[1] Traksat was founded in 2012 as a specialized branch of IEC Telecom Group to answer the growing need for M2M, Tracking and Asset Management applications.