Il segmento di terra è costituito da un Gateway primario e i Regional Gateways. Il Gateway primario è situato in Sharjah, UAE e controlla il network. Ulteriori Gateways potranno essere installati in caso di necessità. Il Gateway primario comprende la stazione di controllo satellitare e la Gateway Station.

Satellite Control:
SOC (Satellite Operations Center)
UBS: Uplink Beacon Station
SPCP: Satellite Payload Central Point
Gateway Station
GSS: Gateway Station Subsystem
NSS: Network Switching Subsystem
AOC: Advanced Operations Center
OSS: Operations Support Subsystem
Regional Gateways (RGW) in different countries within Thuraya Satellite Coverage Area
Multiple Gateway network provides diverse access to PSTN/PLMN
Regional Gateways operate independently
Centralized Billing, Customer Administration and Clearing House Services that minimise investment required by Service Providers and Gateway operators The design of the regional gateways, which will be based upon that of the Primary Gateway, will provide the necessary interface with other Thuraya gateways (via satellite) and public terrestrial networks.
Regional gateways will be set up to meet the specific requirements of the local markets.
Segment 1,750,000 expected subscribers
13,750 Satellite Traffic Channels
One Primary Gateway (PGW)
Regional Gateways (RGW)
Segment Services:
Telecommunications Services:
Voice
Fax at 9.6 Kbps
Data at 9.6 Kbps
GSM Standard Supplementary Services:
Call Forwarding
Call Barring
Calling Line Identification
Closed User Group, Multiparty
Call Waiting
Short Messages Service
SM Beam Broadcast
Value Added Services/ Intelligent Network Services:
Pre-paid SIM Card Services
Hot Billing Services
Free Phone Service
Premium Rate Service
IVR Services
Voice Mailbox Service
Thuraya Design Features:
Optimised Routing to provide most economic call routing
Single hop for UT-UT calls, anywhere in the coverage area
Thuraya Country Code: + 882 16 X….X
Accurate definition of country and Service Provider boundaries
Network Access and Call Tariff are based on caller terminal GPS position
Use of Common Air Interface: CAI is "open standard"
Strong Supplier Support:
HUGHES : Main contractor for design and installation of the system on turnkey basis
ERICSSON: Network switching subsystem supplier
LHS: Billing and Customer Care and Clearing House supplier
ALCATEL: Contractor for Intelligent Network & SMS/VMS Systems