London, 5 December 2007: CNN International has extended its relationship with Thuraya, the UAE-based satellite operator, with the launch of the CNN Mobile breaking news SMS alerts service to the satellite operator’s mobile customers. Through Thuraya’s global satellite connectivity, CNN breaking news alerts will now be available for the first time in the most remote areas of the world.
This strategic partnership, CNN’s first alliance with a mobile satellite provider, sees the launch of CNN Breaking News SMS Alerts service to Thuraya customers located beyond the reach of standard mobile coverage across Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Central and South Asia. This is the latest development in the longstanding relationship between the two companies, which has seen Thuraya running an extensive TV and web campaign on CNN for seven consecutive years.
The new deal means that Thuraya’s satellite mobile customers around the world can now receive CNN’s breaking news alerts in English and Arabic. Customers can also tailor the service according to their preferences by signing up for optional extras including World, US and Middle East news, as well as Business, Sport and Showbiz updates, all delivered direct to mobile phones. Banners on the CNN and Thuraya websites direct users to a dedicated site where they can sign up to the service.
CNN’s partnership with Thuraya extends the news leader’s mobile reach by an additional potential 250,000 subscribers, which will expand further following Thuraya’s launch in the Asia-Pacific region in early 2008. The services target regions outside the reach of conventional GSM (Global System for Mobile communication) coverage, delivering an infrastructure which provides blanket coverage in more than 110 countries, across a landmass inhabited by an estimated 2.3 billion people.
Commenting on the deal, Rani R. Raad, Vice President of Ad Sales at CNN International, said, “At CNN we are always looking for new and innovative ways to deliver value-added services to our audiences, wherever they are and across whichever platform they choose. Thuraya offers us an even greater penetration for our mobile proposition and we’re delighted to be working with them.”
On his part, Thuraya’s Chief Commercial Officer Mr Sabah Al Kudies said the breaking news service with CNN demonstrates yet another application and benefit that we are evolving to our portfolio of value added services to our subscribers. “Our subscribers, who are largely moving in remote and rural areas beyond GSM network reach, and especially those interested in following up and receiving the latest news, be it political, business, sports or entertainment, can now receive their favourite CNN breaking news instantly via Thuraya handheld terminals.
