Asia Pacific Satellite Communication Inc (APSI), a manufacturer of handsets for the satellite service provider Thuraya, was modestly showing what must surely have been one of the most innovative handset developments at the show – a prototype Thuraya/TETRA dual-mode phone.

Dae Il Oh, APSI’s chief technical officer and executive vice president, said: “Our satellite and TETRA dual-mode hand-held terminal is the only one of its kind and will have many important applications for emergency/rescue services in remote regions.” He explained that his company had developed the phone using its own resources and without direction from Thuraya, but when it showed the prototype to the Dubai-based satcoms operator, it had been received with considerable excitement.

The Thuraya satellite network provides voice and data coverage across some 140 countries, from Europe to the Far East and Australia. Thuraya claims now to have the largest subscriber base for mobile satellite handsets.