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North Africa Topics specific to North Africa and the Sahara down to the 17th parallel (excludes Morocco)
Photo by Hendi Kaf, in Cambodia

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Hendi Kaf,
in Cambodia



Trans Sahara Routes.

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  #1  
Old 28 Feb 2006
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Location: Cotonou, Benin
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Thuraya SatPhone Service

I am on the market for a satphone to be used mainly for the periodic (but sporadic) call-in and for any emergency while overlanding between Chad and Europe. I am extremely familiar with the Iridium system (used it while sailing across the Atlantic), but I have been told that for my current projects, Thuraya is preferable. I did some research on the net on the Thuraya and discover a very wide range of service providers, plan types and costs. I wonder if there is any words of advise on this topic out there....

Thx in advance.

Jorge
Ndjamena, Chad
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  #2  
Old 28 Feb 2006
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Jorge,
Have a look at www.sattrans.com.
Good service, very reliable, refill on line if needed.

desert phantom
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  #3  
Old 28 Feb 2006
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Jorge,

It depends on what you want to know,
Thuraya has a quit difficult (well, I found it difficult) system of scratch cards, prepaid accounts, supersims, online services etc.
I guess if you look into it very deep you can find the things you want (Maybe things changed since I looked into it two years ago, at least their coverage is increased).

But one of the reasons we choosed it :
You can put your own gsm-sim-card into it !!!
It depends on which provider you use and your account-type (no prepaid) but some of the big companies have got a roaming deal with Thuraya.
When we need the satphone I just put my normal gsm-sim-card into it and start calling, sending or recieving sms-messages!!
I even have got my normal phonenumber!!

I have a T-mobile account and they bill the call just as every other call from/to a foreign country.
Very easy, no scrath cards and or units you have to use before the card gets expired etc.

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[This message has been edited by Sophie&Bart (edited 28 February 2006).]
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  #4  
Old 2 Mar 2006
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Hi Jorge,
I've always used the sim card + pay as you go scracth card system. I've bought sim cards and scracth cards on the main street in Ndjamena.

I've started sharing a sim card with another regular Thuraya user to save on the sims that expire....

Richard
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  #5  
Old 2 Mar 2006
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Thx to you all. Most helpful info. Looking to Sattrans, as their rates seem to be good.

Jorge
Ndjamena, Chad
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