Thuraya on Optus or Pivotel

Gidgee

Gidgee

Active Member
Looking at getting a Thuraya XTLite on a minimum plan. The handset is $700 from Optus and $799 from Pivotel or their resellers. The $15 plan seems to be similar but Optus only offer the $15 plan and are half the cost for data (which I doubt I'd use). Is anyone with Optus and can comment?
 
mac_man_luke

mac_man_luke

Well-Known Member
Cant really see there being any difference, runs on the same network just different reseller.
Does optus give you a normal mobile no like pivotel do?
 
Gidgee

Gidgee

Active Member
Hmm, actually they phrase it ambiguously;
"The Thuraya XT-LITE uses a satellite SIM card and has satellite phone number providing local numbering. This means you aren’t stung with expensive satellite call rates - it’s free to receive calls and affordable to use. "

I'd certainly be clarifying that.
 
mac_man_luke

mac_man_luke

Well-Known Member
yea free to receive but is it free (or mobile rates) for the caller! thats one of the great things about pivotel
 
R

red99td5

Active Member
Have u considered a phone on the iridium network, can still get the Aussie mobile no so people can call u for free, unless your living in the top end the coverage can be lousy with Theraya and Inmarsat
 
LurchWA

LurchWA

Active Member
Cant comment on Optus.
Dont know if this applies or not but have a sat sleeve with pivotel and cant really fault its value for money
Kept my normal number and invested in an external aerial than can be mounted on the roof in case of poor coverage
Not perfect but pretty good for occasional use
 
mauriceb

mauriceb

Well-Known Member
unless your living in the top end the coverage can be lousy with Theraya and Inmarsat[/QUOTE] I have both Thuraya and Isatphone. Thuraya's I prefer. Both work in Southern states .Even as far down as Esperance WA. I haven't been to VHC so can't comment, however my old Iridium wasn't that great either in deep valleys
 
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mauriceb

mauriceb

Well-Known Member
LurchWA said:
Cant comment on Optus.
Dont know if this applies or not but have a sat sleeve with pivotel and cant really fault its value for money
Kept my normal number and invested in an external aerial than can be mounted on the roof in case of poor coverage
Not perfect but pretty good for occasional use
Click to expand...
Satsleeve is Thuraya exactly the same service and sim as there XT Lite / XT Pro model . External Antenna doesn't boost signal .Just places antenna in view to the Satetite for uninterrupted service. Thuraya Xt lite ,Isatphone and Retired Telits
IMG_20190101_083710.jpg
 
barcher

barcher

Well-Known Member
Thuraya coverage map now includes Tas and all mainland oz.
Screenshot_20190212-111839.png


A few years ago when I was curious about sat phones, pretty sure coverage was only the top two thirds of mainland.
 
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Gidgee

Gidgee

Active Member
Thuraya 3 was launched in 2008 (after first one blew up on launch). Not sure why it ever would have only been top 2/3rd of Australia.

Thurayacouverture.jpg
 
mauriceb

mauriceb

Well-Known Member
That's great news @bazzook . Recently I read if you draw a line from Wodonga to Kalgoolie WA that was the Thuraya's southern limit which is Bullshit.
 
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stevemc181

stevemc181

Well-Known Member
I'd never go with Thuraya, solely for the fact it's a company based in the UAE and we all know what they think about human rights. Buggered if they will ever get my support by choice. C'mon Elon Musk, bring on the starlink program!
 
mac_man_luke

mac_man_luke

Well-Known Member
Thuraya might work there but you still need line of sight to the satellite which is quite low in the sky in the south east
Immarsat is slightly better but expensive these days
Iridium is best but also not cheap, around $35/m min and no prepaid options.
 
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