thuraya ( arabic : الثريا , [ aθːuˈrajːa ] ) , from the arabic name for the constellation of the pleiades , " thurayya " , is a regional mobile satellite phone provider .

the company is based in the united arab emirates ; it provides mobile coverage to more than 162 countries in europe , the middle east , north , central and east africa , asia and australia .

with about 350 roaming partners worldwide , thuraya also offers gsm roaming services over land-based mobile gsm networks .

the company is headquartered in the united arab emirates .

its shareholders consist of investment companies , middle eastern and north african telcos ; etisalat is a major shareholder .

thuraya

the thuraya xt is thuraya ' s latest handheld satellite phone . find out more
the following telecom operators are interconnected to thuraya network and can offer termination service to thuraya .
thuraya satsleeve + and satsleeve hotspot are the second generation of satellite hotspot devices from thuraya .
present , the thuraya ﬂeet comprises two operational geo satellites ( i . e . thuraya - 2 and
q : - in which gsm networks can thuraya subscribers roam ? a : - thuraya subscribers can roam in over 200 gsm networks that are thuraya’s roaming partners .
sorry . thuraya has no plans to build an adapter for the iphone 6 + to the thuraya satsleeve .
- thuraya subscribers ( with thuraya sim cards ) to access other gsm networks in and out of thuraya coverage area , using thuraya handset or any other compatible phone . - gsm subscribers ( with gsm sim cards ) to access thuraya satellite network anywhere in the coverage area using their existing gsm sim cards and a thuraya phone .
q : - how much does thuraya phone weigh ? a : - the thuraya phone weighs approximately 220 grams .
thuraya has 2 satellites in geosynchronous orbit ( thuraya 2and thuraya 3 ) . the thuraya 1 satellite originally launched for testing purposes , has now reached the end of it ' s life and remains in junk orbit above korea .
thuraya ofﬁcial web site available on - line at the url : http : / / www . thuraya . com .
q : - does thuraya have a car kit ? a : - thuraya vehicular docking adaptor ( vad ) provides a station for the thuraya phone recharging and in - vehicle operations . thuraya’s vad is also available with all service providers .
sms messaging : the thuraya satsleeve hotspot app is very easy to use for short messaging over the thuraya satellite network .
the thuraya xt was our flagship product for many years and is the basis for the current models thuraya xt - lite and thuraya xt - pro . the xt was built on thuraya’s standards of unwavering quality and reliability , and combined its advanced phone functionality with the dependability of the thuraya satellite network .
this map represents thuraya expectations of coverage . for further information , please contact thuraya customer care at customer . care @ urltoken
q : - in which countries has thuraya signed roaming agreements with ? a : - for a list of counties with which thuraya has signed roaming agreements , please view thuraya roaming partners .
q : - when did thuraya’s services begin ? a : - thuraya’s commercial services have begun in a gradual roll out , starting from april 2001 in several countries in thuraya’s coverage are .
q : - what is the thuraya sms center number ? a : - the thuraya sms center number is “ + 882161900000” .
q : - does thuraya have prepaid scratch cards ? a : - thuraya prepaid scratch cards will be available at all service provider locations . these cards can be used only if you have a thuraya prepaid sim card and they work anywhere in thuraya coverage area .
china trends holdings limited is planning to raise $ 195 million to purchase dubai - based mobile satellite communications company thuraya . credit : thuraya
if you have a thuraya handset there are vehicle docking stations with external antennas . see urltoken what model thuraya phone are you using ?
q : - how does thuraya dual mode feature work ? a : - with your thuraya phone and thuraya sim , you can make calls via satellite from anywhere within the coverage area . you also have the option of roaming from thuraya into a local gsm operator given that thuraya has established a roaming agreement with your local gsm operator .
q : - how many colours do thuraya handsets come in ? a : - thuraya hughes 7101 is grey in colour . thuraya hughes 7100 and ascom ( discontinued product ) phones are in dark blue shades .
the thuraya xt satellite phone works with a thuraya sim card or with gsm sim cards available from more than 300 of our roaming partners .
the original thuraya satsleeve was one of the most innovative products of 2013 . in 2015 , thuraya launched the satsleeve + and satsleeve hotspot .
q : - if there is no service provider in my country , how can i obtain thuraya services ? a : - if you do not have a thuraya service provider in your country , please note that thuraya phone and services can be purchased online at thuraya’s e - shop http : / / eshop . thuraya . com . for more updates and information on how to obtain thuraya’s services , please visit our website urltoken
1b . what are differences between the thuraya xt , xt - dual , xt - pro , or xt - lite ? 2b . can i use my existing sim card with the thuraya ? 3b . what is the talk time and standby time for the thuraya xt battery ? 4b . does the thuraya xt have a gps function ? 5b . what interfaces does the thuraya xt have ? 6b . can i use the thuraya xt or thuraya xt - pro to access the internet ? 7b . what computer operating systems are compatible with the thuraya xt ? 8b . what is the best solar panel for the thuraya xt or dual ?
q : - where can i get more information about thuraya’s products and services ? a : - the easiest way to know more about thuraya is through your local service provider . you may also visit thuraya’s website www
thuraya’s reliable and uninterrupted satellite network enables you to stay connected via satellite mode anywhere under its coverage area across europe , africa , asia and australia . thuraya satsleeve + works either with a thuraya sim card or with a gsm sim card from any of the 360 + thuraya roaming partners worldwide .
those administrations who have not yet opened access to thuraya country code kindly requested to expedite the start of telephone service to thuraya from their network , including setting a collection rate for the calls from their customers to thuraya network .
q : - in what languages does thuraya phone support sms ? a : - thuraya phone support sms in english , italian , french and german .
thuraya allows you to roam with your thuraya phone handset across nearly one third of the globe . if you are in thuraya’s coverage area you can call to , and receive a call from , anywhere in the world . even outside the thuraya coverage area you may still be able to use your thuraya phone in gsm mode , through a thuraya gsm roaming partner . the handset can be used as a thuraya satellite only , gsm only , or auto switching between the two , subject to the type of airtime package chosen .
great question . thuraya plans to make a thuraya iphone 6 adapter available around december 2014 . there is no plan for the iphone 6 + adapter .
q : - can i use thuraya’s gps feature if the thuraya phone is in gsm mode ( even when using an existing gsm sim card ) ? a : - as long as you have a thuraya phone you will be able to access thuraya’s gps feature regardless of the network you are registered on .
the thuraya coverage map shows where connectivity is available for any thuraya device . there are two thuraya satellites shown above in their approximate locations above the equator . you may connect to either of the satellites using the same service plan .
thuraya recharge : this service enables you to acquire airtime online , using your credit card to recharge your thuraya prepaid sim instantly . you can also buy airtime by making a free call from your thuraya handset . simply dial the thuraya toll - free number provided upon registering with thuraya recharge , and follow the voice prompts to select your recharge amount . visit urltoken to buy airtime now .
q : - what is the thuraya code ? a : - the thuraya code is + 88216 and each subscriber will have a unique 8 digit number .
q : - how do i subscribe to the thuraya network ? a : - thuraya offers its products and services through local service providers in each market . the local service provider will handle applications , activations and billing . for detailed thuraya subscription procedures in your country , please contact your nearest thuraya service provider .
q : - what security features are built into the thuraya links ? a : - thuraya uses encryption which is equivalent in robustness to the standard gsm encryption .
thuraya - 2 orbital location ( above the equator ) is 44 . 0606° east thuraya - 3 orbital location ( above the equator ) is 98 . 5° east
charge the thuraya xt - lite even when you have no access to electricity .
ideal for users who want competitive calls rates from within thuraya’s regional coverage area .
if you are also interested in the thuraya satsleeve hotspot , please click here .
also thuraya does not have global coverage . where do you expect to operate ?
thuraya country code + 88216 has been assigned by the international telecommunication union ( itu ) . thus , thuraya is a new international destination ( virtual country ) with its own country code . it is now imperative that all network operators open access to thuraya code , in order to enable their customers call this new destination – thuraya .
with your thuraya phone and gsm sim , you will be automatically accessing your local gsm operator’s network . hence , your calls will be billed on your normal gsm bill . you also have the option to roam into thuraya’s network to access satellite services given that thuraya has already established a roaming agreement with your local gsm operator . with a gsm phone and a thuraya sim , you will be roaming from thuraya into your local gsm operator network given that thuraya has already established a roaming agreement with your local gsm operator . nevertheless , it will be impossible to access thuraya services through your gsm phone because thuraya phones have special equipment that makes communication with the satellite possible .
thuraya’s fixed docking unit ( fdu ) – the home / office docking product allows the usage of the thuraya phone in an indoor environment such as home or office . the fdu will complement the thuraya phone by extending its operations and functionalities inside buildings .
use the thuraya xt - lite in hands - free mode with an optional earphone .
since this blog is about thuraya i am assuming you have a thuraya phone . would you mind telling me what your pivotel thuraya monthly fee and per minute rates for making outbound calls in thuraya mode are ? are you being charged the same per minute rate whether you are making or receiving calls ( in thuraya mode ) ? if you’ll share this information , i will look into it further and see what can be changed .
1 . where does thuraya work ? 2 . how do i check my balance and recharge my prepaid thuraya account ? 3 . how do i initialize a thuraya prepaid sim for first time use ? 4 . what needs to be done when i first receive my thuraya phone ? 5 . what thuraya models support gsm cellular service ? 6 . how do i use the voice mail service ? 7 . what do i do if i cannot make a call ? 8 . how do i send text messages ( sms ) to my thuraya phone from the web ? 9 . can i tweet from my thuraya ?
q : - are there any subscription charges for using my gsm sim card on a thuraya phone ? a : - thuraya charges you monthly for your thuraya sim card only . if you use the service with your gsm sim card no subscription charges are applied .
thuraya ip flexi plans feature cost - effective rates for select countries in africa and europe . click here to view a list of eligible countries for the thuraya ip flexi plans .
thuraya maritime broadband plans thuraya offers a range of postpay plans for use with thuraya maritime broadband terminals . depending on your requirements , we offer pricing packages which are a good fit for light to heavy usage at cost - effective prices . thuraya offers you the flexibility to move from one maritime broadband price package to another , depending on your communication needs .
2and thuraya 3 ) . the thuraya 1 satellite originally launched for testing purposes , has now reached the end of it ' s life and remains in junk orbit above korea .
thuraya’s l - band network will undergo extensive evolution . while continuity is assured with both existing satellites thuraya - 2 and thuraya - 3 continuing to operate as planned , the current satellite footprint will be enhanced significantly with the planned launch of next generation satellites from 2020 .
be generated per satellite . thuraya adopts an fdma / tdma air interface , where each carrier
with an indoor repeater , you can use the thuraya xt in indoor environments . it comes with external antennas and transmits the thuraya network signal into the room where satellite coverage is unavailable
charge your thuraya satsleeve + anytime and anywhere with our multi - functional portable solar charger .
q : - what services are available for thuraya subscribers when roaming in gsm networks ? a : - thuraya postpaid subscribers can make and receive calls and sms while roaming in the gsm networks . thuraya prepaid subscribers presently can only receive calls & sms while roaming on gsm networks .
the coast guard says that as the number of migrants in the mediterranean has gone up , it has been making more location requests to thuraya . ( thuraya denies seeing any increase . )
waterproof your thuraya handset with a submersible aquapac ! safely protect your thuraya phone from water , dust , dirt , snow , sand , oil and whatever else you might encounter . read more
thuraya ip unlimited asia plans thuraya ip unlimited asia plans provide customers with unlimited access to standard ip services from asia at cost - effective , fixed monthly fees ( t & cs apply ) . click here to view a list of eligible countries for the thuraya ip unlimited asia plans .
close synchronization of daily oscillation in latitude of thuraya 2 and mentor 4 on a given day .
look up our maps below to view thuraya ' s coverage footprint for satellite and gsm networks .
the thuraya xt - lite offers reliable , clear satellite phone connectivity at an unbeatable low price .
shareplan packages are available for use with thuraya handheld , land ip , and maritime broadband terminals .
iridium and globalstar and the geo - based systems of inmarsat bgan and thuraya ) . then ,
q : - what are thuraya’s call charges ? a : - thuraya service cost will range from us $ 0 . 50 to us $ 1 . 50 a minute . this will vary based on calling locations and called destinations . thuraya offers post - paid as well as prepaid services .
q : - if i want to buy a thuraya phone in the uae , where do i go ? a : - thuraya products and services are provided through etisalat main braches all over the uae . for sales related inquires , you can cal the thuraya toll free number at 8006633 .
the thuraya satsleeve + transforms your ios or android smart phone into a satellite phone . thuraya coverage includes much of europe , africa , asia , and australia . the reception comes directly from the thuraya and not your cell device . you can read more about the satsleeve + here , urltoken
with an indoor repeater , you can use the thuraya xt - dual in indoor environments . it comes with external antennas and transmits the thuraya network signal into the room where satellite coverage is unavailable .
in its filing , china trends holdings said its main concerns regarding the proposed thuraya acquisition are getting the legal paperwork from third parties and governments , and shareholder approval . china trends holdings specifically mentioned the u . s . ’s international traffic in arms regulations ( itar ) as a potential concern . thuraya’s two satellites , thuraya - 2 and thuraya - 3 , are both products of california manufacturer boeing .
for more details on the most suitable thuraya price plan , please contact one of our service partners .
middle east , central asia , and the indian sub - continent . the technical project of thuraya was
and thuraya , by using ( 3 ) . we can note that the globalstar system achieves the highest
q : - does the thuraya handset operate indoors ? how can the user receive calls ? a : - thuraya services , like in any other gmpcs system , are intended for outdoor usage . however the thuraya system will enable users who are indoors to receive an alerting signal . he or she can then move outdoors to start the call . the thuraya user terminal in dual mode - gsm / satellite thuraya - and the user also has the option to use gsm while in a gsm network and indoors .
with about 350 roaming partners worldwide , thuraya also offers gsm roaming services over land - based mobile gsm networks . as well , thuraya sells a dual mode satellite phone with both gsm and satellite capabilities .
with an indoor repeater you will be able to use the thuraya xt - lite in indoor environments .
thuraya’s powerful satellite network covers two - thirds of the globe , keeping you connected at all times .
with thuraya online services , you can log on to urltoken for a range of convenient services including checking your billing information for prepay or postpay accounts , and sending sms messages online to other thuraya handsets .
with thuraya online services , you can log on to urltoken for a range of convenient services including checking your billing information for prepay or postpay accounts , and sending sms messages online to other thuraya handsets .
thuraya allows you to roam with your handset across nearly one third of the globe . if you are in thuraya ' s coverage area you can call to , and receive a call from , anywhere in the world . even outside the thuraya coverage area you will still be able to use your thuraya phone in gsm mode , through a thuraya gsm roaming partner . the handset can be used as a satellite only , gsm only , or auto switching between the two , subject to the type of airtime package chosen .
q : - what is included in the thuraya phone package ? a : - thuraya package comes with a phone , standard battery , sim card , travel charger , user manuals , and a warranty card .
thuraya postpay voice plan thuraya postpay plans provide you with flat calling rates across our coverage area with the convenience of paying for your subscription at the end of the month . with a one - time only activation fee , you can benefit from our highly competitive per minute rates . the thuraya postpay plan features the following :
the thuraya xt is compatible with windows vista and windows xp . please call to confirm other operating systems .
activate , control and monitor thuraya sim cards using the source® , our web - based account management system .
with the new thuraya xt - lite , voice satellite communications have never been this easy and competitively priced .
i have just buy thuraya satsleeve with s4 . now on battery charging i have charged s4 battery is full but thuraya battery look like dont get charge in . as when i switched on it goes off…whats wrong here
thuraya xt - dual is designed for users who travel the world and require a professional phone with connectivity wherever they go . it conveniently uses either gsm or the thuraya satellite network and cleverly switches between them upon availability .
calls to your cell phone’s number will ring on your smartphone in the regular way . calls to your thuraya mobile number will ring on the satsleeve app in an analogous way . if you have an ongoing thuraya call and some one calls your cellular number , the thuraya - mode call will drop to allow the inbound cellular call . of course , usually you will not be using thuraya - mode service if you have cellular service anyway .
q : - if i am using a gsm card in my thuraya phone , can i make satellite calls ? which number would people reach me at ? a : - when a subscriber is using a gsm sim in a thuraya phone , the phone acts like normal gsm phone with your same gsm number . if your gsm operator has a roaming agreement with thuraya , you will be able to roam into thuraya and make satellite calls . in this case , you will receive your regular gsm monthly bill with roaming charges stating usage in thuraya territory .
the thuraya satsleeve costs $ 699 . you need an insert sleeve adapter for the iphone 4 that costs $ 99 . i recommend that you activate our thuraya prepaid nova plus plan which is about 15 % cheaper for users in liberia than the thuraya prepaid regular plan which isn’t regionally optimized for liberia . for more information click here .
thuraya postpay nova voice plan for a select group of countries in europe , africa and asia the thuraya postpay nova plans feature cost effective rates . click here to view the list of eligible countries for the postpay nova plans .
once “thuraya” appears on the screen , select it and the phone will start requesting for the network . after the “requesting” process , the following message will appear “thuraya + country code” . this is an indication that you have been successful . when you go back to the main screen , you should see thuraya and the name of the country
when using a satsleeve you actually already have access to your iphone’s contact list while you are using the thuraya satsleeve app . if you create a new contact in the thuraya satsleeve app the contact will be saved on your iphone . here is how you create a contact from the thuraya satsleeve app that will be stored in your iphone :
q : - how do i use data and fax services from a thuraya phone ? a : - you will need to connect your thuraya phone to a laptop / computer with a “data cable” ( thuraya accessory ) via a serial port . the data cable can be used to send / receive data and fax at 9 . 6 kbps .
thuraya prepay nova voice plan for a select group of countries in europe , africa and asia , the thuraya prepay nova plan features cost effective rates . click here to view the list of eligible countries for the postpay nova plans .
thuraya 2 and 3 have redesigned solar arrays , as the original concentrator arrays have a fogging problem reducing the performance .
a car charger ensures that the thuraya xt - lite is never out of power while you are on the move .
thuraya satellite phone service was launched in 2001 to offer high quality , affordable satellite communications to areas of high population .
we can offer the same third - party service for $ 9 . 95 / month on thuraya with local numbers in most countries at a cost to the thuraya mobile user of $ 2 . 99 per minute for receiving inbound calls .
the smallest and lightest satellite phones , thuraya handsets are compact enough to slip into your pocket . they are an ideal solution for professionals on the move such as government and military personnel , journalists , oil , gas or mining teams , ngo personnel and anyone working in remotely locations with limited access to traditional terrestrial connectivity . the thuraya handheld services are available with several distinct handsets : thuraya xt - pro and thuraya xt - lite for a good choice of price and performance .
thuraya short codes are special short telephone numbers that are designed to be easier to read and remember . short codes are associated with value - added services such scratch card refill ( sms ) , call - me back , islamic prayer times , and other thuraya mobile and customer care services . to view a list of short code numbers for your thuraya handset , please
i have heard that some thuraya dealers tell people that thuraya supports calls in north america , but the only type of calls that are supported are cellular calls , not thuraya - satellite - mode calls . i have not heard of any firm plans to extend service to north america , but even if thuraya hopes to extend coverage to north america , that would require approval of regulatory entities like the fcc in the various countries . so , it is a long ways down the road .
western union® quick paysm service : thuraya customers can now recharge pre - paid voice and data sims with no extra fee at over 220 , 000 participating western union agent locations . to top - up your thuraya prepaid voice sim card , visit a participating western union agent location , provide your identification and thuraya phone number , and then re - load your prepaid sim card with a cash payment . family , friends and colleagues can also add pre - paid credit on behalf of a thuraya user traveling abroad . phone recharge : this service enables you to acquire airtime online , using your credit card to recharge your thuraya prepaid sim instantly . you can also buy airtime by making a free call from your thuraya handset . simply dial the thuraya toll - free number provided upon registering with fonerecharge , and follow the voice prompts to select your recharge amount . visit urltoken to buy airtime now . thuraya cloud refill : if you are a thuraya service partner or distributor , you can now purchase prepaid airtime credit in bulk online and distribute it either directly to your end users or through your own distribution network .
speciﬁcations are called gmr - 1 ( used by thuraya , see section 4 . 4 ) and gmr - 2 ( used
444 kbit / s for thuraya ) , but we have used the same value ( i . e . 4 . 8
satellite adaptor for apple iphone enables always on - connection with automatic switching from gsm to satellite mode over the thuraya network .
below are the steps which need to be followed when using your thuraya sg - 2520 or thuraya so - 2510 phones for the first time or if the phones have been dormant over a long period of time ( more than a year ) .
thuraya’s satellite network is renowned for having reliable satellite coverage that includes two - thirds of the globe . the thuraya xt - lite also lets you receive a call notification even when the satellite antenna is stowed , keeping you connected at all times .
the only wi - fi router on the market offering a plug - and - play solution , the thuraya xt - hotspot enables easy and economical internet access over thuraya ' s mobile satellite network with fast data speeds of up to 60 kbps .
an additional battery serves as a backup for the thuraya xt and extends usage time when there is no access to electricity .
the thuraya satsleeve + and satsleeve hotspot are the simplest and fastest way to transform your phone into a satel . . .
important : thuraya does not offer global coverage , so make sure that the region in which you want to use the network is available in the coverage map . you will not be able to use any thuraya equipment , including headphones and / or airtime , to connect to the network when you are outside the thuraya satellite area . this includes north and south america .
western union® quick paysm service : thuraya customers can now recharge pre - paid voice and data sims with no extra fee at over 220 , 000 participating western union agent locations . to top - up your thuraya prepaid voice sim card , visit a participating western union agent location , provide your identification and thuraya phone number , and then re - load your prepaid sim card with a cash payment . family , friends and colleagues can also add pre - paid credit on behalf of a thuraya user traveling abroad . phone recharge : this service enables you to acquire airtime online , using your credit card to recharge your thuraya prepaid sim instantly . you can also buy airtime by making a free call from your thuraya handset . simply dial the thuraya toll - free number provided upon registering with fonerecharge , and follow the voice prompts to select your recharge amount . visit urltoken to buy airtime now . thuraya cloud refill : if you are a thuraya service partner or distributor , you can now purchase prepaid airtime credit in bulk online and distribute it either directly to your end users or through your own distribution network . learn more
q : - if someone tries to call me on my thuraya phone while i’m overseas - what will i be charged ? a : - thuraya applies the calling party pays principle . in most cases , a thuraya subscriber will not pay for any incoming satellite calls . the calling party , on the other hand , will be charged according to the local telecom provider rates .
while it was tasked with eavesdropping on thuraya 2 until mentor 4 took over this job mid - 2009 , mentor 2 did not shadow thuraya 2 as closely as mentor 4 does . it had a much wider separation , and its orbital inclination was over twice the value of that of thuraya 2 . its daily movement was not as closely synchronized with thuraya 2 as that of mentor 4 . the changed behavior of mentor 4 compared to its predecessor mentor 2 suggests that mentor 4 does something new regarding the nature of its eavesdropping on thuraya 2 , something which requires a much closer distance and more careful co - orbital synchronization .
1 . where does thuraya work ? thuraya was established in 1997 and launched commercial mobile satellite service in 2001 . it is a regional mobile satellite system that serves over 140 countries . thuraya ' s footprint includes large parts of the indian subcontinent , the middle east , central asia , northern and central africa , and europe . some thuraya phone models also support gsm - cellular - mode calls . thuraya ' s satellites are in geosynchronous orbit , positioned 36 , 000 km above the earth . the primary thuraya gateway is located in sharjah , uae , and acts as the operation center for the mobile satellite system . depending on the model and service types selected various thuraya phone models provide voice , g3 fax , 9 . 6 kbps circuit - switched data , always - on - type gmprs internet access up to 60 kbps on download , and two - way short messaging .
thuraya was built with the idea of making a hybrid network which would allow users to connect to cellular towers when they were available and connect to the satellites when they were not . thuraya phones offer dual mode handsets which work not only with the thuraya satellites but on gsm networks as well . almost all of thuraya ' s mobile satellite handsets are built with this dual - mode feature . in order to facilitate the ability to connect to both networks , thuraya has roaming agreements with cellular providers around the world . this means that subscribed thuraya users have the ability to use their satellite phone as a regular cellphone when outside of the satellite coverage area . for pre - pay users , however , the roaming cellular feature is only available on incoming calls .
q : - what sort of accessories can i find for thuraya phones ? a : - thuraya will introduce a whole new range of dynamic phone accessories to complement its mobile satellite services . the following accessories will be available through your local service providers :
washington — a chinese technology group is planning to raise $ 195 million to purchase dubai - based mobile satellite communications company thuraya .
with a usb data cable you can upgrade the software of the thuraya xt - lite easily when new software versions are released .
for demanding users , thuraya xt - pro offers more durability and advanced features such as fax and data up to 60 kbps .
yes it is usb rechargeable . for additional specifications on the thuraya satsleeve + go to urltoken . for airtime plans go to urltoken
a thuraya phone can be used in a private jet . the main issue would be getting a proper antenna for the jet .
thuraya shareplan thuraya shareplan enables customers with multiple terminals to pool their airtime allowances under a single bill . by grouping terminals together , customers benefit from a flexible and optimal utilization of airtime allowance as well as access to reduced pricing when compared to an individual subscription .
q : - how many phone book entries can i store in thuraya phone memory ? a : - phonebook entries are usually stored on the sim card . thuraya lets you save up to the standard limit of book entries that are allowed in a sim card .
q : - where can i used the thuraya phone ? a : - while you are in the coverage area , you can use the thuraya phone to call anywhere or receive a call from anywhere in the world . you will also be able to used the phone on gsm mode in areas with compatible gsm networks and with whom thuraya has signed a roaming agreement , regardless of your location .
the thuraya xt can be charged using usb cable . we have an very small foldup solar panel with a built - in battery pack that can be used to repeatedly
top up
your thuraya xt battery . we do not recommend that you deep cycle the thuraya xt battery by allowing it to completely discharge . this is not very good for li - ion batteries in general . our small
thuraya satellite phone service was launched in 2001 to offer high quality , affordable satellite communications to areas of high population , where coverage of gsm does not exist or is limited . the thuraya coverage area includes north and central africa , middle east , india , central asia and europe . thuraya satellite phones use the latest available satellite phone technology , and provides the first truly pocket size handheld satellite telephone , with thuraya’s exceptional voice clarity and low airtime rates , including the use of low denomination pre pay scratch cards and competitive tariffs .
dvb - sh ) and some operational systems ( e . g . globalstar , inmarsat bgan , iridium , and thuraya ) . the
the thuraya xt - pro is the current state - of - the - art thuraya handheld phone . it is feature rich and offers voice , sms , 9 . 6 kbps data , and gmprs packet data . a variety of docking stations are available for it .
an additional battery serves as a backup for the thuraya xt - lite and extends usage time when you have no access to electricity .
an additional battery serves as a backup for the thuraya xt - dual and extends usage time when there is no access to electricity .
the perfect blend of mobility and simplicity , the thuraya satsleeve + is the fastest way to transform your phone into a satellite smartphone .
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yes . the android version of the thuraya satsleeve for the samsung galaxy s4 and s3 smartphones came out shortly after we wrote this article . the price of the thuraya satsleeve for the galaxy s4 and the iphone 5 are the same . check out urltoken to purchase one .
thuraya cloud refill : need to top up your customer’s prepaid credits quickly ? if you are a thuraya service partner or distributor , you can now purchase prepaid airtime credit in bulk online and distribute it either directly to your end users or through your own distribution network . learn more
q : - is thuraya phone waterproof ? a : - the phone is designed according to gsm specifications , which normally is not waterproof .
thuraya prepay voice plan thuraya prepay plans are easy way to ensure that your satellite phone is ready when you need it , without making the commitment of long - term contracts and dealing with billing hassles . our prepay plan enables you to refill your existing account at any time by using scratch cards in various denominations starting as low as 10 units . thuraya scratch cards can be purchased from one of our service providers in more than 160 countries . prepay users can either refill their accounts on their thuraya phone by following instructions or online at urltoken by entering the scratch card number . thuraya recharge is another easy way to refill your prepaid account by using your credit card . visit urltoken for more details .
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with roaming agreements established in 161 countries , thuraya is able to provide reliable roaming services for our postpaid and prepaid customers onto more than 395 worldwide gsm networks . gsm subscribers from those networks can also insert their gsm sim into a thuraya handset to enjoy roaming services across thuraya’s satellite network , in order for them to remain connected when they are out of gsm coverage , or when they are traveling and terrestrial roaming charges are steep .
geo thuraya ; ( c ) leo globalstar ; and ( d ) leo iridium . in table ii , we have listed the range of values
q : - what is the type of the phone ? a : - thuraya is a satellite mobile phone with integrated gsm and gps features .
with a usb data cable you can connect the thuraya xt to a pc or laptop to access the internet or to upgrade your xt software .
no plans for the iphone 6 + because of the size . i will ask thuraya and update this blog regarding the samsung note 4 shortly .
thuraya starts commercial services in kenya abu dhabi , may 20 , 2004 ( wam ) - - thuraya satellite telecommunications company and telemedia kenya jointly announce the official launch of thuraya services in kenya . following the inauguration of telemedia kenya ' s new offices in nairobi , an official ceremony marking the official launch of thuraya services was held under the patronage of yousuf al sayed , chief executive of thuraya and wellington omodho , chairman of telemedia kenya . also present were senior dignitaries from the public and private sectors of kenya . speaking on this occasion , thuraya ' s chief executive yousuf al sayed said :
we are pleased to be present at this special ceremony . kenya is an african economic powerhouse , with tremendous developmental potential . our hope at thuraya is to fulfill a promise to provide our kenyan customers with high quality satellite telecommunications at an affordable cost .
al sayed added :
thuraya ' s applications are optimized to meet the needs of a wide range of market segments . through our varied portfolio we are able to meet the needs of business professionals and families . for instance , thuraya ' s pco can be used in villages , tourists sites and industrial outposts , while our fixed docking unit adapts the handset for indoor usage and our maritime solution can be used on boats and fishing vessels . thuraya ' s commitment is to provide reliable and flexible solutions , and through our service provider offer quality customer service .
on his part , wellington omodho , chairman of telemedia ' s kenya said :
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omodho added :
we believe that thuraya will play a key role in kenya , improving access and offering border to border telecommunications . thuraya ' s services will provide ideal and cost - effective communication solutions to subscribers roaming beyond the coverage area of our national mobile network .
wam / sa 13 54 ccccqqe
with roaming agreements established in over 161 countries , thuraya is able to provide reliable roaming services for our postpaid and prepaid customers onto more than 361 worldwide gsm networks . gsm subscribers from those networks can also insert their gsm sim into a thuraya handset to enjoy roaming services across thuraya’s satellite network , in order for them to remain connected when they are out of gsm coverage , or when they are traveling and terrestrial roaming charges are steep .
q : - can i receive or make a call on a thuraya phone while driving ? a : - in most cases you will be able to receive or make calls while driving . to get optimal reception however , you will need to have direct line of sight with the thuraya satellite .
mentor 4 parked close to thuraya 2 , may 2016 . note how bright mentor 4 is compared to the other satellites . photograph by the author .
named after the thuraya star cluster , and established in 1997 , thuraya is a regional satellite phone provider . its coverage area includes most of europe , the middle east , north , central and east africa , asia and australia . the company was founded and is based in the united arab emirates .
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a thuraya iphone 6 adapter should be available in december 2014 . there is no plan for the iphone 6 + adapter because of the size mismatch .
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suitable for use at home and in the office , the fdu - xt lets you use the thuraya xt like a desktop phone in an indoor setting .
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what you are suggesting can be done , but it will require some reprogramming of the car kit and possibly some redesign of the thuraya hotspot app , too .
mel , the thuraya satsleeve is available for the samsung galaxy s5 . you can see all about the device as well as current pricing on our webpage here urltoken
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the thuraya satsleeve + lets you make calls , use messaging applications , update your social network , send and receive email and sms , and access apps . it also comes with an additional safety feature - a programmable sos button that works even if your smartphone isn ' t connected . this convenient function allows you to call a predefined number of your choice . the thuraya satsleeve package includes : thuraya satsleeve battery ac charger ( 4 international adaptors ) usb data cable quick start guide warranty documentation
thuraya began fundraising for its next generation futura constellation in the fourth quarter of 2016 , and has yet to select a manufacturer for the satellites . the operator plans to launch two or three futura satellites around 2020 with l - and ka - band capacity and a global footprint . thuraya’s current satellites do not cover the americas .
with a usb data cable you can connect the thuraya xt - dual to a pc or laptop to access the internet or to upgrade your xt - dual software .
thuraya’s xt satellite handset features a glare - resistant display with a high contrast menu to ensure you can read what’s on the screen even when you’re in direct sunlight .
the thuraya xt satellite handset’s gmprs capability means users can easily access the internet in satellite mode . browse the web with your laptop or pc from wherever you are .
hope that answers your question . for complete specs and a very nice video showing the functions of the satsleeve + and satsleeve hotspot go to the thuraya product pages .
i have a bluetooth car kit for my iphone , too . it knows how to initiate cellular - mode phone calls and texts using the functionality built into the iphone’s ios operating system . the satsleeve + uses a specialized app to make phone calls and texts via the thuraya satsleeve + or satsleeve hotspot . so , the bluetooth car kit would simply be trying to initiate cellular calls rather than thuraya - mode calls — unless the bluetooth car kit has been programmed to send commands that control the thuraya app .
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another , entirely separate park national bank is a chicago-based bank owned by fbop corporation , with branches in chicago and several nearby suburbs .

the chicago bank failed on october 30 , 2009 , and was taken over by the federal deposit insurance corporation , with the bank 's assets later being sold to us bank .

park national bank ( fbop )

park national bank , fbop is on angellist , where the world meets startups .
to connect with park national bank , fbop , sign up for angellist today .
california national bank is unrelated to l . a . - based national bank of california , which has five branches .
sun sets on park national : a rain puddle shows the reflection of park national bank administrators outside the bank friday evening while federal regulators were inside arranging its takeover . jason geil / staff photographer
by 2008 , fbop ' s three california banks - california national bank in los angeles , pacific national bank in san francisco and san diego national bank - had almost $ 700 million of fannie and freddie stock on their balance sheets ; park national ' s tally was about $ 100 million , watts recalls .
customers with loans from california national and the other fbop banks were advised to continue making payments .
the bank plans meetings sunday to further brief california national workers , he said .
eight smaller banks owned by fbop , a privately held oak park , ill . , company , were also taken over by regulators and acquired by u . s . bank . they include san diego national bank , with 28 offices , and san francisco ' s pacific national bank , which has 17 .
support : employees outside the main branch of park national bank , at 11 madison st . in oak park , on friday , oct . 30 , the bank ' s last day . jason geil / staff photographer
terry finnegan worked for park national bank for seven years . he left , on good terms , in 2008 to start his own business .
davis , also a democrat from chicago , said park national ' s fate was a
shame .
virgil crawford addressing a community meeting in maywood , ill . , where residents are angry that regulators didn’t rescue a local bank , park national .
all deposit accounts have been transferred to u . s . bank national association ( u . s . bank ) , minneapolis , mn (
assuming institution
) and will be available immediately . the former park national bank locations will reopen as branches of u . s . bank during regular business hours .
oak park - based fbop is privately held by kelly , who built the company by making bank deals nationwide . about $ 12 billion of fbop ' s assets are in california banks . it also owns institutions in arizona and texas .
regulators seized los angeles - based california national bank on friday night in the country ' s fourth - largest bank failure this year .
if you or your company provided a service or product , leased space , furniture , or equipment to park national bank after friday , october 30 , 2009 and have not been paid , you do not have a claim against park national bank . please follow your normal billing procedures by providing an invoice as instructed .
neither u . s . bank nor park national was a major originator of mortgages in maywood or the chicago area . but u . s . bank is a custodian of bonds containing those mortgages .
the sad thing about park national bank is that its financial problems resulted from freddie mac and fannie mae ' s demise and not from toxic loans . park national invested in what everyone thought were safe investments . it is very sad that the federal government turned its back on this situation .
the 31 branches of park national will reopen saturday under the ownership of u . s . bancorp . the failure of the fbop banks is expected to cost the fdic about $ 2 . 5 billion .
regardless of the misfortune of park national bank , mike kelly has made a significant and long - lasting impact on our community that extends beyond the circumstance of today .
that would create
opportunity for selective branch consolidations ,
the bank said in an online presentation on the fbop deal .
the fdic had allowed prospective buyers to make offers for individual fbop banks as well as for the whole company . u . s . bancorp vice chairman joseph otting said u . s . bank was able to work out an offer for all the banks because it already was committed to growing in southern and northern california and in chicago , where fbop owned park national bank .
mr . grace and others say they are well aware that u . s . bank isn’t responsible for all the foreclosures . but they also said that by acquiring park national bank , u . s . bank accepted the community’s expectations set by mr . kelly .
later that same day , fbop ' s nine subsidiary banks - including the $ 4 . 7 billion - asset park national - were seized by regulators and sold to u . s . bancorp at a steep discount .
west suburban pads was on the receiving end of mike kelly and park national bank ' s generosity for many years . i ' ll never forget meeting mike for the first time .
there was no immediate word on layoffs , but u . s . bank sought to allay fears at california national .
but u . s . bank officials say they are dumbfounded that they are being singled out . “we agree that foreclosures are a huge problem , ” says steve saloutos , executive vice president of u . s . bank’s midwest division . “it’s not a park national problem , or a u . s . bank problem , but a national problem . ”
mike kelly and park national bank understood that there was more to banking than single - minded profit seeking . before the term
community banking
was popular , mike was practicing it .
while park national is no longer with us , the individuals that made park national what it was , including mike kelly , are still part of the community . it is too early to say what the full impact of park ' s passing will be , but the people of park national will continue to support the community and will do all they can to ensure that u . s . bank steps up to the plate . it will never be the same , but that spirit of service is , perhaps , the best legacy that mike kelly has left us .
in july 2009 , the agency notified the fdic of its intent to close seven of the nine banks . park national and the $ 120 million - asset citizens national bank of teague in texas were not included on the list , but park national was cited as a
deteriorating problem institution with financial and managerial weaknesses ,
mitchell glassman , director of the fdic ' s division of resolutions and receiverships , testified to congress .
fbop ' s owner , billionaire michael kelly , didn ' t return a call seeking comment .
he said he eventually approached u . s . bank to see if it would take over park national’s commitments . u . s . bank sent a team to the school to meet students , and it eventually decided to substantially match park national’s commitments — not only money but also jobs for students . “you couldn’t argue with the value of what the school was doing , ” says mr . hartnack .
your transferred deposits will be separately insured from any accounts you may already have at u . s . bank for six months after the failure of park national bank . checks that were drawn on park national bank that did not clear before the institution closed will be honored as long as there are sufficient funds in the account . if you have questions about your account ( s ) transferred to the assuming bank , you may speak to an fdic representative by calling 1 - 800 - 450 - 5668 .
federal banking regulators should have given park national bank and fbop corp . more time to see if it could come up with capital to regain its solvency . [ fbop corp . ' s banks taken over by feds , web extra , oct . 30 ] after all , unlike other banks which made unsound loans in unsteady markets , fbop ' s downfall was to invest in fannie mae and freddie mac - not exactly speculative investments as most people would understand that term . help was on the way .
it also is the biggest illinois institution whose banks have required government intervention since continental illinois in 1984 . park national and community bank of lemont are the 18th and 19th illinois banks to be seized this year .
california national bank , with $ 7 . 8 billion in assets and $ 6 . 2 billion in deposits , is the fourth - largest commercial bank based in los angeles county . only city national corp . , east west bancorp and cathay general bancorp are larger .
the timing was awkward . the government shut down $ 4 . 8 billion - asset park national on the same day that its community development arm , park national bank initiatives , received $ 50 million from treasury secretary timothy geithner in chicago on friday . that money is intended to stimulate investment in low - income communities for such projects as charter schools , health clinics and stores .
across the country , many have bemoaned the loss of locally owned banks , worrying that a faceless national bank will have little interest in a community — aside from making profits . perhaps nowhere has that issue played out more publicly than in the chicago area , where mr . kelly’s park national bank was as well known for its philanthropy as for its financial products .
claims against failed financial institutions occur when bills sent to the institution remain unpaid at the time of failure . if you or your company provided a service or product , leased space , furniture , or equipment to park national bank prior to friday , october 30 , 2009 and have not been paid , you may be entitled to a claim against the bank . if you provided a product to or a service for park national bank prior to the bank ' s failure for which you have not been paid and you have not received communication , please contact :
the park national shutdown occurred after several illinois congressmen , including reps . bobby rush and danny davis , and u . s . sen . roland burris called the fdic asking it to delay closing the bank for at least a week , said marilyn katz , a bank spokeswoman .
for most of this decade , i have had the privilege of working at park national bank , an organization that was so much more than a bank . it was a vital part of oak park and the greater chicago community . it played a vital role in economic development , housing , education and financial services in underserved , economically depressed neighborhoods throughout chicago .
the driving force behind that activity was mike kelly . he was not alone , however . his commitment and generosity inspired that same spirit in those who worked with him . many park national employees volunteer and serve on the boards of oak park nonprofit organizations . park national and its employees have provided significant financial resources to many area organizations through corporate and individual contributions , and through the provision of financial products to meet their needs .
fbop was still in good shape as the second quarter of 2008 ended . just over a month later , fannie and freddie were seized , reducing the value of some $ 885 million in securities to zero overnight . several weeks later , fbop lost another $ 100 million when wamu failed . fbop had purchased wamu paper when it was rated investment grade . in less than a month , fbop had lost 63 percent of its tier 1 capital .
by the fdic ' s calculations , if park national and citizens failed later - a distinct likelihood , given the volume of loan participations among the banks - the total cost would be $ 2 . 91 billion ; applying the cross - guarantee provision and seizing park national earlier lowered the cost to $ 2 . 54 billion , saving the fund $ 316 million . and so park national joined a list of failed institutions that now numbers more than 200 since the fall of 2007 , and still has a ways to grow .
u . s . bancorp of minneapolis , through a loss - sharing deal with the federal deposit insurance corp , . will assume all the deposits and most of the assets of the nine failed banks , including park national bank of chicago .
mike kelly put the community first with his bank in a supportive role of community objectives . whether it was quick action on behalf of village government or continued support of our local nonprofit groups , park national was truly a community - wide partner .
fbop was built from scratch by kelly , an aggressive but intensely private entrepreneur . he bought first bank of oak park in 1981 and then made a career of swooping in on ailing banks in chicago and the sun belt , buying them cheap and improving their results dramatically .
but there are two losses here beyond a new name going on an old bank . park national was unusually aware of its community , and creative in providing financing that would help not only oak park , but also austin and other neighborhoods , including pullman , to build new assets in their communities . that local focus and community awareness is now gone .
the company acquired nearly 30 troubled institutions at bargain prices over the years . those rehabilitation projects gave kelly three small banks in texas and one in arizona , and a $ 12 . 5 billion - asset , three - bank california franchise to complement park national .
park national bank initiatives is redeveloping 200 acres in pullman and has provided zero - interest loans for christ the king jesuit college prep and chicago jesuit academy . in west garfield park , it ' s a partner with bethel new life and thrivent financial to offer banking products to low - income consumers . it has also partnered with neighborhood housing services of chicago .
i thought that if and when the moment came i would be sad . resigned . depressed . and yet when the news really sank in saturday morning , i became furious . raging . apoplectic . park national bank and its parent corporation , first bank of oak park corp . , had been shut down by the federal deposit insurance corp . regulators swooped in friday night and branches were re - opened saturday under the u . s . bank flag . fdic officials and u . s . bank employees were on hand to calm fears , answer questions and put on a good front for customers and bank staff alike .
in chicago , where fbop also owns community bank of lemont , it is a lesser player . it has 33 total offices and local market share of 1 . 24 percent , ranking 14th .
at the meeting at hope church , mr . hatch applauded u . s . bank for making some steps , like investing in schools . but like many others that night , he dispatched with niceties , and threatened to send busloads of protesters to u . s . bank’s headquarters in minnesota unless it started acting more like park national .
fbop has total banking assets of $ 19 . 4 billion , which made it the third - biggest bank owner headquartered in illinois , after hsbc north america holdings inc . and northern trust corp .
for more than a decade , a silver - haired banker from river forest named michael e . kelly — owner of park national bank in the chicago area and eight others around the country — took an unusual interest in maywood . he did things most bankers don’t do .
as the first new catholic high school on the west side in 85 years , it owes its existence to michael kelly , but when park national folded last fall , christ the king’s future suddenly looked bleak .
the 68 - branch bank , a unit of fbop corp . , was immediately acquired by the u . s . bank unit of minneapolis - based u . s . bancorp , with no losses to be incurred by depositors , the federal deposit insurance corp . said .
i consider mike kelly one of oak park ' s gems . the news of his bank being taken from him is one of the most unjust stories i have heard .
jackie leavy , a founder of the coalition to save community banking , said the bank hadn’t been transparent in its intentions . for instance , she says , u . s . bank has taken over and renamed park national’s nonprofit arm , which rehabbed homes and redeveloped blighted areas , but has declined to say how much money it is putting into it .
at christ the king jesuit college preparatory , the school to which park national pledged a no - interest loan , the bank is seen as a hero . the school caters to motivated low - income students who agree to work one day a week to cover most of their tuition costs .
the nine fbop banks had combined loans and other assets totaling $ 19 . 4 billion as of sept . 30 , the fdic said .
on friday , october 30 , 2009 , park national bank , chicago , il was closed by the office of the comptroller of the currency , and the federal deposit insurance corporation ( fdic ) was named receiver . no advance notice is given to the public when a financial institution is closed .
mr . kelly’s banks were also known for generous charitable donations and a commitment to low - income areas , particularly in the chicago area . for instance , park national pledged a $ 27 million , interest - free construction loan to build a jesuit preparatory school in austin , a predominantly african - american neighborhood that abuts oak park .
before the downey and pff deals , u . s . bank had 79 branches in the los angeles - orange county area , a spokeswoman said . the fbop acquisitions will bring its total in the area to 241 .
all of the banks , especially park national , were reflections of kelly ' s values , and he clearly liked calling the strategic shots . he owned 100 percent of fbop , and sold only debt - mostly trust - preferred securities - but never equity , to maintain control . he also ran at a very low tangible equity ratio , providing relatively less room for error .
the los angeles - based , 68 - branch bank is immediately acquired by the u . s . bank unit of u . s . bancorp .
but , of course , park national is now out of business . so are mr . kelly’s other eight banks , which were also acquired by u . s . bank last october . the federal deposit insurance corporation said the cost of the failures to its insurance fund was $ 2 . 5 billion .
sorry to hear about the fdic takeover . park national was a good friend to the north avenue business association . they were very generous in supporting our programs through the involvement of their employees as board members and by attending our functions .
u . s . bank officials , clearly vexed by a groundswell , say they intend to honor all of park national’s outstanding commitments . but they also say the level of charitable giving will probably decline to match donations in other areas where u . s . bank has branches . because of the complexities of the modern mortgage business , the bank also says it has little legal ability to modify local mortgage loans that it did not originate but for which it acts as trustee .
in a story that has gained much notoriety in chicago , the treasury secretary , timothy f . geithner , awarded a park national subsidiary $ 50 million in tax credits on the morning of oct . 30 , 2008 , to help the bank finance schools , retail development and a community center on the city’s south side .
“the determinations to place the fbop banks into receivership were consistent with , or required by , the statutory scheme congress put in place , ” she said .
mr . hartnack also points out that fbop concentrated its donations in the chicago area . u . s . bank , he said , tries to spread donations fairly among its more than 3 , 000 bank offices across the country . as a big publicly traded institution , u . s . bank also has to consider shareholders who would undoubtedly frown if 20 percent of its profits went to charity .
u . s . bank , though , has made some friends in chicago .
“it’s probably reasonable to expect some diminishment in total giving but not reneging on commitments , ” mr . hartnack says of his bank’s takeover of fbop . “we’ll gradually not make as many new ones until we get the numbers in balance . ”
otting said representatives of his bank met friday evening with california national employees at all the branches , telling employees who work face to face with customers that they could keep their jobs and back - office workers that they would be allowed to apply for other jobs at u . s . bank .
park national also helped to create a community savings center on the west side of chicago that provided low - cost banking services and financial counseling to people who normally don’t use banks . and it set aside $ 20 million to help homeowners facing foreclosure .
u . s . bank’s evolving policy in the chicago area has created a fair amount of angst , in part because the bank donates 1 to 2 percent of its profits . besides its donations , the bank provides billions in community lending and investments .
while fbop was bigger than the typical community bank , its tale has emerged as exhibit a in a growing national debate over washington ' s handling of troubled small banks . in january , a congressional subcommittee used its collapse as the centerpiece of a hearing - subtitled
examining the failure and seizure of an american bank
- that brought testimony from kelly , several regulatory officials and west side community development leaders , some of whom bussed all the way from chicago .
learn if your bank is insured , view locations , track history , and more .
eight months after park national’s closing , anger continues to boil , in part because of the unusual circumstances surrounding its demise . and residents rankle because the federal government decided to bail out megabanks like citigroup , deemed “too big to fail , ” while letting a beloved community bank go under . in that context , outrage — and hyperbole — reign .
but it ' s a subjective exercise . park national itself had a 9 percent capital ratio , considered
adequate ,
according to watts . moreover , community leaders and some members of chicago ' s congressional delegation argued that this relative health , combined with a mission of supporting underserved neighborhoods , earned the bank some additional time to find capital .
mike was not defined by park national - it was a reflection of him . he is a generous and caring person who touches many lives . he is a great leader and wonderful role model . i am sure we have not heard the last of mike kelly .
there ' s more than a little irony that kelly , the grandson of a banker who committed suicide during the great depression , found himself in this predicament . a workout specialist who honed his skills in the 1970s with wells fargo & co . predecessor minneapolis - based northwestern national bank , kelly bought the faltering first bank of oak park in 1981 , and within a decade transformed it into one of the top - performing banks in the country .
please see a borrower ' s guide to an fdic insured bank failure for additional information .
in early september , the fdic began marketing the seven banks on a standalone basis and in combination with each other . to test the waters , park national and citizens were offered , without a loss - share agreement , but no takers were found . on october 20 , the agency received 41 bids from 18 bidders for some or all of fbop . the best deal for the seven banks in immediate danger would have cost the dif $ 1 . 85 billion .
fbop banks also provided $ 583 million in that two - year span for community development loans , including such things as affordable housing and inner - city redevelopment , he told congress .
when the credit and real estate markets subsequently fell apart , the deterioration of fbop’s loan portfolio , particularly in commercial real estate , accelerated , federal regulators testified at the january hearing .
kelly said fbop had been working to obtain $ 750 million from private investors but was unable to present an acceptable proposal to the regulators when a deadline for raising capital expired friday .
according to congressional testimony and former colleagues , mr . kelly took over the first bank of oak park in 1981 , and built it into an enterprise with about $ 19 billion in assets , largely by buying failed or underperforming banks .
he also ensured that the bank was there when the village board needed credit for special projects . finally , he was supportive not only of oak park theater groups but also the many other nonprofits that add to our quality of life .
along the way , fbop distinguished itself by doing good . nearly one - third of its 150 branches were in low - to - moderate income areas . six of the banks , including all of the big ones , received
outstanding
cra designations . in 2007 and 2008 , fbop banks made $ 55 million in
community donations and investments ,
kelly testified .
if you had a loan with park national bank , you should continue to make your payments as usual . the terms of your loan will not change , because they are contractually agreed to in your promissory note . checks should be made payable as usual and sent to the same address until further notice . if you have further questions regarding an existing loan , please contact your loan officer .
i can ' t even begin to list the individuals and organizations mike kelly supported . he opened up branch banks in austin because he saw a need and not because he was forced to because of a discrimination lawsuit . the loss of park national will be felt for many years to come .
the $ 18 . 3 billion - asset fbop had more than half of its balance sheet invested in the preferred stock of fannie mae and freddie mac - a capital strategy that was approved , some would even say encouraged , by federal regulators . when the treasury department abruptly placed the government - sponsored mortgage giants into conservatorship in september 2008 , fbop ' s capital levels plunged .
mr . hartnack , the u . s . bank executive , says that his bank has won over customers in the many markets it has entered over the years , and that it eventually will do so here . but he said big banks will never be mistaken for the old corner bank .
in some ways park national was like our very own bailey building & loan , and mike kelly was our george bailey / jimmy stewart . you ' re a good man , mr . kelly ; thanks for a job well done . your institution deserved a better fate , and so did we .
“fbop’s business strategy — which had previously been successful — left the bank vulnerable to the perfect storm of events that the fbop banks could not survive , including unforeseen and devastating g . s . e . losses , ” testified jennifer c . kelly , senior deputy comptroller for the office of the comptroller of the currency , the primary regulator for many of mr . kelly’s banks . fannie and freddie are known as g . s . e . ’s , or government - sponsored enterprises .
they didn ' t seem to take the components apart and ask , ' what will this do to our local community ? '
says steven mccullough , president of bethel new life , a chicago community - development organization that worked closely with park national .
our question is , why was a financially successful , model community - based bank not only allowed to die , but prevented from saving itself ?
“this was the finest community bank in america , ” says the rev . marshall hatch , a leader in the community banking coalition . “the loss of the bank is incalculable for our side of town . ”
he ended up owning nine banks in texas , california , arizona and illinois , all under the umbrella of his bank holding company , the fbop corporation . it was the largest privately held bank - holding company in the united states and , before 2008 , recorded 25 consecutive years of profits , according to mr . kelly’s testimony before congress in january , in a hearing prompted by the closing of his banks .
california national has had its share of lending problems . as of june 30 , the last time it reported its financial results publicly , the bank had five times as much foreclosed property on its books and twice as many non - current loans as it had a year earlier . but the bank ' s main problem was its loss on the fannie mae and freddie mac preferred shares .
over time , i came to appreciate the work of park national as i learned of the bank ' s investment in developing affordable housing and charter schools for low - income residents on the west side of chicago , and , of course , his famous philanthropic work for local charities . the housing crisis has left devastation vast and wide in its wake at all socioeconomic levels , and from the heights of corporations to our neighbors next door .
for all questions regarding new loans and the lending policies of u . s . bank , please contact your branch office .
fbop didn ' t get involved in subprime mortgage lending , but did have a knack for turnaround situations and working out troubled loans . attempts to reach kelly for this story were unsuccessful , but in his congressional testimony he noted that the company posted record profits for 25 straight years , and had historical net loan losses that were about one - quarter the industry averages . in their 2008 examinations , all nine fbop banks were well - capitalized with solid regulatory ratings , he added .
river forest resident michael kelly built a banking empire over three decades , making himself wealthy . on friday night , it all came tumbling down in spectacular fashion , as the government seized the nine banks run by kelly ' s fbop corp .
in any case , the loss of park national is more painful because i think most of us feel so helpless . we couldn ' t prevent the takeover , even with strong support from our representatives in the u . s . house and senate ; so we ' re left wondering
what next ,
and to that end , i don ' t think we know .
he says it’s a frustrating situation for the bank to manage , because it is essentially in the position of cleaning up other people’s mistakes . “do you isolate the bank that is the last one to put a sign on the building ? ” he asks .
protesters recently rallied against u . s . bank at a vacant apartment building in austin , the neighborhood near oak park ; the bank is trustee for the bonds backed by the property . the back door was ajar , and a pipe in the basement spewed water . the apartments were littered with dog feces and the detritus of past lives : birthday streamers over a doorway , a girl’s pink coat on a hook , computer monitors and dishes .
as just two examples , a few years ago he saw to it that our local head start program did not leave oak park by ensuring that it had a home . he also forged a unique relationship with bethel new life , the multi - issue community organization in east garfield park , so that west side chicago residents could be assisted in saving for housing and education .
in total , mr . kelly’s banks donated a total of $ 36 . 7 million to charitable causes in 2007 and 2008 . fbop , the holding company , chipped in a further $ 17 million in those two years , according to his congressional testimony .
when mr . mcghee , a vice president of u . s . bank , stood to address the crowd , he was interrupted with angry questions and chants . “we are very much aware of the impact park had on this community , ” he said . “that is not lost on us . we’ve taken copious notes . ”
kelly and his team immediately committed to raising enough money to get fbop ' s individual banks back to well - capitalized status . at the time , the company ' s credit quality still looked relatively good , and there was serious investor interest in the company .
william fanter , left , and robert mcghee , both of u . s . bank , listened to the complaints of politicians and residents .
“it is virtually impossible for a very large company to attain that same level of affection that a community bank has , ” he says , suggesting that the local banking model has become somewhat antiquated as more consumers bank online . “it’s a charming part of our financial history . ”
“basically , it amounts to the largest bank robbery in the history of the united states , ” says david pope , the oak park village president . as the new owner of mr . kelly’s banks , u . s . bank has become the unwitting lightning rod for local politicians and activists . they demand that the bank , whose parent , u . s . bancorp , had profits of $ 2 . 2 billion on revenue of $ 16 . 7 billion last year , curb foreclosures and replicate mr . kelly’s philanthropy ( which involved giving nearly 20 percent of annual profit to causes like education and affordable housing ) .
as fbop chairman and ceo , mike built and ran his banks with extraordinary integrity , a commitment to social justice and generosity . but perhaps what is so special about mike is his personal involvement , accessibility and close - up care for the well - being of others .
regulators have acknowledged the role of the gse conservatorships in the failures of fbop and some other institutions , but say rules are rules , and the fdic ' s primary mandate is clear : maintain the system ' s stability , while minimizing the costs to the deposit insurance fund .
mike understood that a healthy bank requires a healthy community , and vice versa . we have suffered a loss . who will now step forward ?
fbop ' s troubles began in late 2007 , as the crisis was gaining traction . in her congressional testimony , jennifer kelly described a series of
strategic decisions that , in retrospect , diminished the company ' s financial flexibility and exposed the banks in the company to failure .
when people read about the fate of fbop , i hope they understand that behind the story there is an incredible man , michael kelly , who has supported our community . he has put his money behind our business ventures , supported our nonprofit agencies and developed services in other communities .
in 2003 , the oak park public art advisory commission invited its friends and neighbors to our first cheney mansion fundraising dinner , for which we requested a hefty contribution to support the beginnings of the commission . we also introduced our concept of having a collection of public sculptures and murals throughout oak park . we reached the final week before the autumn dinner and were told any funds we had raised that were deposited with the village could not be used to pay for wine . it was a fundraiser ' s nightmare , until the light went on that there was one person in oak park whom we could call in a pinch - mike kelly .
u . s . bank officials say they are still working out the numbers and don’t feel compelled to share news of every donation with community activists .
this is a shock and a shame . they have always been a major supporter of oak park festival theatre and other groups in the community . it sounds as if the feds should have waited another week or two .
it looks as though the fdic is just not satisfied that the bank has the $ 600 million in new private equity that would take care of its capitalization needs ,
said davis , who thought fbop had lined up needed capital .
we ' ve been engaged in it all day , and the last call i made was to the white house , but i don ' t know the extent to which they can get involved .
the determinations to place the fbop banks into receivership were consistent with , or required by , the statutory scheme congress put in place to resolve banks . . . at the least cost to the deposit insurance fund ,
senior deputy comptroller of the currency jennifer kelly testified during the january hearing .
you may withdraw your funds from any transferred account without an early withdrawal penalty until you enter into a new deposit agreement with u . s . bank as long as the deposits are not pledged as collateral for loans . you may view more information about u . s . bank by visiting their web site .
taking such losses into account , the fdic estimated that friday ' s nine bank failures would cost the federal deposit insurance fund $ 2 . 5 billion .
the collapse of fbop ' s banks , attributed to losses on securities issued by the giant mortgage companies fannie mae and freddie mac , was the latest in a rash of financial failures that began last year with government takeovers of 25 banks . before friday , 106 u . s . banks had failed this year .
he had other problems , too . for years , he had prospered by scooping up other banks in times of trouble or lending when others pulled back . he followed the same instincts as the mortgage crisis began to go into overdrive , allowing fbop’s banks to expand their loan portfolio by 35 percent between 2007 and 2008 .
given the circumstances , u . s . bank officials said they contacted the originator of the mortgage , wells fargo , and urged it to board up the building .
on a tour of maywood , lennel grace works through a list of foreclosed homes for which u . s . bank is either originator , trustee or servicer . at some of the stops , members of the coalition to save community banking have put signs on the door that read , “another u . s . bank foreclosure . ”
fbop had hoped last fall that it could get money from the treasury department ' s $ 700 - billion financial bailout fund , kelly said . but in the end , he said , changes in the program
meant that we were no longer eligible .
a treasury spokesman couldn ' t be reached friday for comment .
one speaker , the rev . randall harris , led the audience in a rowdy chant . “u . s . bank ! ” he shouted . “step up ! ” others vowed more vigorous protests unless u . s . bank complied with community demands , which include establishing a $ 25 million fund to help stave off foreclosures . “we are ready to sit down inside your bank until you take action , ” said the rev . michael stinson . “it’s going to get real ugly before it gets pretty . ”
when a private - company option became available in mid - november , the office of the comptroller of the currency recommended to the interagency council overseeing applications that fbop be approved . but that council requested additional information . in the interim , the company ' s loan quality began to deteriorate precipitously , and the occ withdrew its support .
with that in mind , fbop began shifting its capital into a more
safe , liquid form ,
that could be sold quickly if the right chances emerged , watts says . that turned out to be fannie and freddie preferred shares , which had a better yield than treasury securities and were rated aaa - minus by the ratings agencies .
those close to michael kelly say he viewed the financial crisis as another opportunity to buy distressed banks . most of his previous deals came during bad times for struggling institutions that could be had on the cheap .
m & a was part of our history , and there was a feeling that acquisition opportunities would be coming our way ,
says watts , now president of $ 180 million - asset forest park bank in suburban chicago .
last fall , mr . kelly’s private banking empire collapsed , and his profitable , time - tested playbook as a banker and philanthropist failed amid his own misjudgments and the brutal headwinds of the financial crisis . at the direction of federal regulators , his nine banks were acquired by u . s . bank , the nation’s fifth - largest bank , based in minneapolis .
the way in which mike personally directed the bank ' s resources to help so many people is a powerful example to all of us of how to become a man for others .
the company tried to obtain additional capital , first from the capital markets and later the troubled asset relief program . but it was thwarted multiple times by government actions as it pursued tarp .
the rules kept changing ,
recalls daniel watts , park national ' s former president .
we thought early on we ' d get the money , and we didn ' t . then we thought we had it a second time , but didn ' t . . . . the ring just kept getting moved a little further from our grasp until we ran out of time .
bank officials say that as trustee , they have no authority to try to restructure mortgages . but that reasoning has done little to appease critics , who say banks are just passing the buck .
mr . kelly said regulators urged him to apply immediately for tarp funds and gave him verbal assurances that his application would be approved . but the first round of tarp money was directed at publicly traded banks , not private entities like fbop , and mr . kelly didn’t receive any aid . he testified that a second application for tarp funds stalled as regulators kept changing the criteria .
all interest accrued through friday , october 30 , 2009 , will be paid at your same rate . u . s . bank will be reviewing rates . you will be notified of any changes .
the company grew its loan portfolio 35 percent during the year ended in the third quarter of 2008 , filling a gap in a commercial real estate market that other banks thought too risky . it also bumped up loan participations among its various banks . in hindsight , such moves
limited fbop ' s financial flexibility and ability to absorb losses ,
the occ ' s jennifer kelly testified .
however , in my observation , the biggest loss to us is fbop owner michael kelly , who in addition to running his banks responsibly , also quietly provided financial and moral support to local people and agencies that needed it . like everything else he has done , most of these good deeds were done below the radar of publicity , because that isn ' t mike kelly ' s style .
online tool that helps how the insurance rules and limits apply to a depositor ' s specific group of deposit accounts—what ' s insured and what portion ( if any ) exceeds coverage limits at that bank .
the branches , mostly in los angeles and orange counties , were set to reopen as usual saturday or monday as branches of u . s . bank , which has been expanding rapidly in southern california .
also , the facility at north and austin was a great gateway into our business district . we hosted several business networking events at the bank ; we even got free checking ! while the community may suffer from the loss , it pales in comparison to the losses incurred by the employees , customers , shareholders and creditors of the bank . the north avenue business association wishes everyone involved good luck in the future .
whether fbop is a good choice for the role of industry martyr is another matter of debate . the company made its share of strategic mistakes , before and during the crisis , and got some help from nongovernmental sources . an ongoing lawsuit , for instance , accuses jpmorgan chase & co . of sabotaging the company ' s capital - raising efforts last may by calling a $ 246 million loan prematurely .
a board member arranged for him to visit us at our office , then in forest park . he was gracious and listened to me explain the work of our agency in a small , no - frills office . i was aware that he was an iconic , yet elusive , figure in oak park and river forest , but i had no idea at the time of our meeting how deep his good will , influence and generosity ran . a man of his stature would generally mean layers of subordinates before you could reach him , but that wasn ' t the case . he answered his own phone and returned calls promptly .
ely also is unmoved by the capital woes of fbop and other banks snared by collapses of fannie and freddie . while the regulators had approved the holdings , the gses ' potential demise had been rumored for months .
the question should be , ' why were they so heavily invested in the stocks of those two companies ? '
he asks .
you can ' t let the regulators make decisions for you .
“he’s from river forest , o . k . ? ” says lennel grace , a fourth - generation maywood resident . “if you talk to people in river forest or oak park , they say , ‘oh , poor maywood . ’ they kind of look down their nose . he’s not that kind of a person . ”
members of the coalition have also criticized u . s . bank for what they say is its hands - off policy on housing foreclosures . but the bank is in a difficult situation in that regard , given the structure of the mortgage market . individual mortgage loans were long ago pooled into bonds and then sold to investors as a means of — in theory — reducing investors’ exposure to mortgage losses and therefore allowing banks to underwrite many more mortgages .
what galls watts and other observers most is an apparent lack of flexibility on the government ' s part . fbop ' s franchise included seven banks in california , arizona and texas that were undercapitalized . under the so - called cross - guarantee provision of firrea , the federal deposit insurance corp . is required to seize all banks in a holding company if that appears to be the most cost - effective solution for the deposit insurance fund .
just when it was looking like the company would raise the money , however , tarp ' s capital purchase program was announced . the cpp created confusion in the market , and ground most capital - raising efforts to a halt . most agree that fbop would have been a strong candidate for early tarp funding that october . but treasury didn ' t have an option for private companies , because warrants were a big part of the equation .
u . s . bank , with $ 265 billion in assets , has 57 offices in the chicago area and market share of 0 . 85 percent , ranking 19th . combined , they will rank 11th in the chicago area .
he remains a strong advocate for village partner agencies . as i sat across the table from him during discussions about village funding support for oak park development corp . , i witnessed the mettle of a man who stood up for what he believed , looked at key long - term community goals and encouraged all of us to reach higher .
u . s . bank is acquiring most of those assets under a loss - sharing plan with the fdic , which is to absorb 80 % of the first $ 3 . 5 billion in losses and 95 % of any additional losses .
whereas some of the nation’s biggest banks nearly collapsed under the weight of risky loans and dubious underwriting , fbop’s big problem , according to mr . kelly and his regulators , was that it invested nearly $ 900 million in what appeared to be sure - thing , blue - chip investments — preferred stock in fannie mae and freddie mac , the government - sponsored mortgage giants . those investments were considered so safe , in fact , that government regulators encouraged banks to invest in them .
your automatic direct deposit ( s ) and / or automatic withdrawal ( s ) will be transferred automatically to your new bank . if you have any questions or special requests , you may contact a representative of your assuming institution at your branch office .