Thuraya Supports Crossing of the Empty Quarter Expedition

Leading Mobile Satellite Services (MSS) operator Thuraya Telecommunications Company has announced its support of a re-enactment of the first-ever crossing of The Empty Quarter (Rub' Al Khali), the largest sand desert on earth.

To coincide with the 45th National Day of the Sultanate of Oman, Mohammed Al-Zadjali, Amour al-Wahaibi, from Oman, and Briton Mark Evans, will embark on a challenging 1,300km journey on foot and by camel.

From Bait Mirbat Salalah in Oman to Doha, Qatar, the trip will take up to 60 days to complete and is a re-enactment of the journey made by English explorer, Bertram Thomas, advisor to His Majesty, The Sultan ofOman, which took place in 1930.

Some 85 years after the original journey, this team of adventurers will begin their trip on the 10th of December, reaching their final destination in January, 2016.

Randy C. Roberts, Chief Innovation Officer, Thuraya, said: "It gives us great pleasure to support such an amazing expedition. Unlike Thomas, these modern-day explorers will be able to use our communications technology including the SatSleeve+, XT-PRO and our IP broadband terminals which will allow them to share each step of their journey via social media with family and friends."

Thuraya's SatSleeve+ is a simple, sleek accessory that looks like a phone cover and clips easily on to smartphones, turning them into satellite phones. With Thuraya's SatSleeve+, users can make calls, send emails and messages, and use their apps directly on their smartphone - the perfect accessory for modern day explorers.

The world's most advanced satellite phone, the Thuraya XT-PRO, has stood up to everything the real world can throw at it and boasts the largest display size at 2.4" as well as the longest battery life, 9 hours, in the industry.  XT-PRO's rugged and robust design is not only flexible, it is built for the harshest of environments. It is jet water and dust resistant, as well as shock proof. Thuraya's omni-directional antenna ensures an uninterrupted signal across Thuraya's coverage area that includes 161 countries. With full walk-and-talk capability, the XT-PRO lets users receive call notifications - even when the XT-PRO is in your pocket with the antenna stowed.  

For those wanting to send emails and images while in a remote environment, the Thuraya IP+ satellite broadband terminal is are easy-to-use, portable and secure. One of the world's most compact terminals available, it delivers high-speed IP capabilities and can be set up in minutes.

Mark Evans, General Manager, Outward Bound Oman and Head of the Empty Quarter expedition team, said: "We are proud to be undertaking this historic and challenging expedition, and look forward to starting the journey in a few days time. One of our key objectives is to encourage and inspire young people, and instil the idea that success in life can only be achieved by sustained hard work, willingness and team spirit."

Patrons of the journey include HH Sayyid Haitham bin Tariq Al Said, Minister of Culture and Heritage inOman; HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani of Qatar and HRH The Prince of Wales.