News

Space42 Unveils “Thuraya One” Satellite Smartphone

The Android 14 device will offer uninterrupted communication in remote areas without additional hardware.

Published

8 months ago

March 3, 2025

space42 unveils thuraya one satellite smartphone

Thuraya, the satellite communications division of Space42, has revealed its new Thuraya One smartphone — an Android 14 device with integrated satellite capabilities. Announced at Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2025, the phone is designed to keep users connected even in areas beyond traditional cellular coverage. Utilizing 5G and 4G, combined with Thuraya’s satellite infrastructure (including the newly launched Thuraya 4 satellite) the device offers reliable and secure connectivity in practically any environment.

Space42 is currently showcasing the Thuraya One at its stand during MWC in Barcelona, running from March 3-6, 2025. As one of the largest global connectivity events, MWC serves as the perfect stage for the big reveal of this next-generation smartphone that allows travelers and professionals to stay connected without having to carry extra satellite communication gear.

As well as satellite connectivity, the Thuraya One has dual-SIM slots, allowing users to switch between networks effortlessly. The phone supports SIM cards from over 370 Thuraya Roaming Partners worldwide, and customers can use a single number for both cellular and satellite communication.

Ali Al Hashemi, CEO of Yahsat Space Services, Space42, stated, “Staying connected is no longer a convenience, it is a necessity. Thuraya One delivers seamless, secure, and reliable connectivity anywhere, pushing what is possible in mobile communication. With this advanced capability, we are accelerating our position as a Non-Terrestrial Networks operator and executing our Direct-to-Device strategy to bring uninterrupted connectivity to billions of people and devices worldwide”.

Also Read: Dubai Teams Up With Elon Musk’s Boring Company For “Dubai Loop”

The Thuraya One doesn’t just offer reliable connectivity; it also packs high-end hardware. Featuring a 6.67” AMOLED display for vivid visuals, a Qualcomm Octa-core Kryo processor for smooth performance, and a robust triple-camera system with a 50MP main lens, the smartphone is built to handle a variety of needs. Its IP67 rating ensures durability against dust and water, while a fast-charging battery provides up to 26 hours of talk time on 5G—making it ideal for field professionals and adventurers alike.

Thuraya One is now available through Thuraya’s extensive network of over 140 service partners and distributors worldwide.

News

AltoVolo Opens Orders For Limited Edition Sigma eVTOLs

Early buyers can now reserve build slots for AltoVolo’s 500-mile hybrid aircraft through a new online configurator.

Published

6 days ago

November 1, 2025

Nour Nasir

AltoVolo

AltoVolo has started taking pre-orders for its first electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft, the Sigma, moving the startup closer to commercial rollout. Customers can now secure a build slot with a £860 deposit and customize every detail online — from paintwork to seatbelt stitching. It’s the first configurator of its kind for a civilian eVTOL, mirroring how luxury car brands let clients tailor performance models before production.

The Sigma runs on a hybrid-electric tilting jet system built for long range and low noise. It can travel up to 500 miles at a 220-mph cruise, and is over 80% quieter than a helicopter. The three-seater weighs just 980kg and can maintain stable flight even if one jet fails. Safety systems include triple-redundant controls, thrust-vectoring stability and a ballistic parachute.

“We will be delivering an ultra-refined hybrid electric aircraft,” said founder and CEO Will Wood. “We believe there are thousands of customers for this type of cutting-edge technology”.

The first 100 units will come with exclusive materials and finishes. AltoVolo is also setting up a global service and maintenance network, with early planning for overhaul schedules already underway. The company’s focus on ownership experience echoes its ambition to anchor itself alongside established aviation brands rather than pure tech ventures.

To help new owners train, the company has built a full-scale simulator that replicates the Sigma cockpit in carbon fiber and leather. Pilots can log time toward a license using the system, aligned with the new US MOSAIC rules that ease certification for powered-lift aircraft. Certification work in Europe and the UK continues in parallel, signaling growing international alignment around light sport and eVTOL regulation.

Also Read: Snapchat Opens Qatar Office To Deepen Gulf Presence

Noise inside the cabin has become another design focus. Engineers are refining internal vibration levels and developing a responsive soundscape that shifts with each jet’s power load — part feedback, part theatre.

Urban air mobility projects across the Gulf and elsewhere are pushing regulators and manufacturers to meet in the middle. Dubai, Riyadh and Doha have each outlined plans for air taxi corridors this decade. AltoVolo’s hybrid Sigma, sitting between electric promise and aviation realism, looks built for that middle ground.