TC Communications Pty Ltd announced today the signing of a three year wholesale agreement with Optus to sell the Optus Thuraya satellite range of handsets through its Sydney and West Australian offices.

Thuraya is the world’s leading supplier of satellite hand held products, with its SG2520 model, billed as the world's first smart satellite phone, small enough to fit in your pocket.

Diana Minglis, spokesperson for TC Communications - the air, land and sea satellite specialists - stated, "The Thuraya phones have generated a great degree of demand and excitement in the market.

"The new handsets fulfil a need within Australia for a satellite phone which is lightweight, inexpensive and most importantly for remote phone users - reliable. As well as having the advantage of a long life lithium ion battery and the option of the tri-band GSM smart phone that allows you to swap between GSM and Satellite.

"Another compelling factor is the fact that the Optus Thuraya service allows us to provide our customers with an Australian phone number for their satellite phone - an important consideration for ease of contact and reduction in usage costs," said Ms Minglis.

TC Communications is retailing the Thuraya 2510 satellite only handset for $900 (ex GST) and the dual band satellite/GSM handset Thuraya 2520 for $1455 (ex GST).

Paul Sheridan, Director of Optus Satellite said with the new Optus Thuraya service it is near impossible to get lost in Australia.

"With the Thuraya dual mode handsets customers no long need to carry around multiple handsets and with built in GPS, customer's exact location can be sent as an SMS," said Mr Sheridan.

The Thuraya satellite footprint not only covers the continent but also the seas around Australia and beyond.

For more information on Optus Thuraya handsets, customers can visit TC Communication's website www.tc.com.au.

Media contact:
Simone Bergholcs
Optus Corporate Affairs Tel: (02) 8082 7846 

Diana Minglis
TC Communications
Tel: (02) 97145100 or 0417 432 482