[Satellite Today 03-11-09] Thuraya has launched a satellite-based Public Calling Office (PCO) service in Zambia and Cameroon, the company announced March 10.
    Thuraya’s PCO is a telephone unit providing voice, data and fax communication for communities based in remote and rural areas who have no access to terrestrial networks. It enables users to call and send text messages nationally and internationally in multiple languages and without having to purchase a mobile satellite handset.
    The launch in the two African markets has been through commercial partnership with Fort Info Technology, a Dubai-based long-standing service provider for Thuraya services across several countries. The initiative in both Zambia and Cameroon is being undertaken in partnership with local non-government organizations that are responsible for installing the PCO in remote areas.