Optus brings regional Australia closer with a slide and click

Optus launches Thuraya SatSleeve to enable satellite connectivity with iPhone ease

 6 June 2013

The satellite phone has been reinvented, as Optus confirms it will be launching the Thuraya SatSleeve through Optus Business, enabling the iPhone to operate as a satellite phone with a simple slide and click.  

Optus’ mobile network now reaches 98 per cent of Australia’s population. With the Thuraya SatSleeve, customers working in or travelling through the most remote areas of the country can now also add a satellite connection to their iPhone wherever they go.  

“The need to stay in touch is clearly very important for our customers in remote and rural areas, especially mining and agricultural businesses, as well as government and not-for-profit organisations for which it is vital that teams remain in contact while out in the field,” said Paul Sheridan, Vice President of Optus Satellite.  

“Thuraya SatSleeve provides cost-effective satellite connectivity for our iPhone customers, combined with the ease of access to all of their important contacts without having to carry multiple devices.” 

Connecting to Optus Thuraya satellites, customers can get coverage right across Australia, Asia, Middle East, Europe and most of Africa with one integrated device. The Thuraya SatSleeve snaps onto the back of an iPhone 4 or 4S and can be quickly activated via the SatSleeve app, available as a free download from the iTunes store. An adapter for the iPhone 5 will be available later this year. 

When it matters most, the Thuraya SatSleeve acts as a backup battery for the iPhone, enabling extended talk and standby time, so users can still keep in touch with customers until the next town or station. The device also features an SOS button, which allows users to make a call to a pre-programmed number of their choice, even if the iPhone is not connected.