Thuraya, a satellite telecommunications company in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), released on Monday the most advanced handset in the mobile satellite services, Emirates News Agency reported.

At 170 grams, the SG-2520 is the only satellite-GSM triband phone that provides connectivity across the world, in Thuraya's satellite coverage area as well as throughout GSM networks globally, the report said.

Abu Dhabi-based Thuraya introduced the SG-2520 smart phone at a workshop for the company's service providers and distributors in Dubai on Monday.

"Just as we expected, the demand for this phone is so high that we are ordering fresh supplies," Thuraya CEO Yousuf Al Sayed was quoted as saying.

Thuraya plans to sell in the first year about 70,000 units of the dual-mode -- satellite and GSM -- terminal, which will retail between 900 U.S. dollars and 1,100 dollars.

Established in 1997, Thuraya provides blanket coverage to more than 110 countries in Europe, North and Central Africa, large parts of Southern Africa, the Middle East, Central and South Asia, its website said.

Source: Xinhua