Thuraya
Thuraya Satellite Phones — Now Covering All of South Africa
Once you leave the city, your cell signal disappears. Thuraya satellite phones give you reliable voice and SMS communication across South Africa's most remote farms, game reserves, and off-road routes — with no cell tower needed. SatComms is your authorised South African supplier for Thuraya handsets, SIM cards, and prepaid airtime.
Thuraya-4 is live — South Africa now fully covered
The commercial rollout of the next-generation Thuraya-4 satellite marks Thuraya's first full operational entry into the South African market — meaning the entire country now falls within the coverage footprint. South Africa now has reliable L-band mobile satellite connectivity, and there's no longer a coverage reason to avoid Thuraya.
Why Choose Thuraya in South Africa
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Farm & agricultural use — Large farms often span areas without signal; a satellite phone ensures constant communication between teams
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Emergency & disaster backup — Floods, storms, and infrastructure damage can knock out terrestrial networks — satellite phones remain operational
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Game reserves & safari — Stay connected deep in the bush where no cell towers reach
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Off-road & overlanding — Voice and SMS wherever you drive in southern Africa
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Security & remote monitoring — In areas where cell towers could be jammed or disrupted, satellite communication provides a separate infrastructure layer
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160+ countries covered — Thuraya covers roughly two-thirds of the globe's population across Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Asia, and Australia
FAQ
Q: Does Thuraya work in South Africa?
A: Yes. Since the commercial rollout of Thuraya-4 in late 2025, all of South Africa is now properly covered. This is a major upgrade from the previous limited coverage.
Q: Do I need a SIM card for a Thuraya phone?
A: Yes. The handset and SIM are sold separately. SatComms supplies Thuraya SIM cards and prepaid airtime — contact us to order.
Q: Can I use a Thuraya phone indoors?
A: Thuraya phones generally require a clear line of sight to the sky. Some models can be paired with external antennas for indoor or obstructed-area use. OSAT
Q: How long does the battery last?
A: Most Thuraya phones offer up to 6 hours of talk time and up to 100 hours of standby time, depending on the model. The XT-PRO extends this to 9 hours talk time. OSAT
Q: What's the difference between XT-LITE and XT-PRO?
A: The XT-LITE is the affordable, no-frills option for voice and SMS. The XT-PRO adds GPS/Glonass/BeiDou navigation, a rugged Gorilla Glass display, longer battery life, a dedicated SOS button, and laptop data connectivity.
Q: Does Thuraya work on a boat or in a vehicle?
A: Yes. For improved signal reception when moving — on boats or in cars — an external magnetic-mount antenna can be connected to extend range and reliability.
