[Satellite Today 08-18-08] Thuraya is launching a new location service, combining with Geonix, a specialist in location services and equipment, Thuraya announced Aug. 17.
    ThurayaLocate allows anyone with any Thuraya handset to view their position on maps, satellite images and aerial photography anywhere in the world. Every satellite phone ever developed for the Thuraya network contains an embedded GPS positioning system, and this is used — when initiated by the user — to report the handset’s position to the ThurayaLocate servers.
    “We are confident that the ThurayaLocate service will be a positive step forward in aiding all our customers to report where they are and to travel safely,” Sven Rohte, Thuraya’s chief commercial officer, said in a statement. “Thanks to the foresight of Thuraya from its inception, every mobile handset we have ever made contains a GPS positioning system. This is unique not only in the satellite world but in conventional GSM mobiles as well.”