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Frequently Asked Questions
Telephony
GTNT SIM cards work in all Thuraya phones; SIM cards from other satellite operators will not work in Thuraya devices. A GSM operator’s SIM card will function in a Thuraya phone, but only in “satellite roaming” mode, since the call is routed via the satellite network rather than the GSM network of the SIM card’s operator. In that case, you must verify that Thuraya roaming is enabled and check the per-minute rates with your GSM operator.
Thuraya offers two dual-SIM satellite phones (one slot for a Thuraya SIM, one for a GSM SIM):
- Thuraya XT-PRO DUAL
- Thuraya X5-Touch
Recommended Tariffs
- “Na svyazi” plans (100 / 250 / 600) – no monthly fee, includes a package of minutes valid 12 months in Russia.
- “Udobno” (“Convenient”) per-minute plan – no monthly fee; purchase minute packages as needed (1 month to 1 year validity).
- “Vygodno” (“Advantageous”) plan – per-minute billing, monthly fee of 3.33 EUR includes 5 minutes.
Various promotional offers may apply. All services are prepaid; you must maintain a positive balance.
A) You may switch to any active tariff (via written request or Personal Account). For promotional tariffs, check specific conditions.
B) Minute packages can only be added on the “Udobno” plan. Packages activate immediately upon purchase and cannot be deferred—monitor your balance and buy a new package when your minutes run low.
C) Changes require a written request (for organizations, on company letterhead) and, in some cases, operator approval.
All satellite phones have all necessary certificates of conformity for supply and sale within the Russian Federation.
The warranty period is 12 months from the date of purchase, provided the user complies with the operating instructions. To avoid misunderstandings, please read the user manual carefully.
Thuraya XT-LITE
Thuraya XT-PRO DUAL
Thuraya SatSleeve+
Thuraya SatSleeve Hotspot
Thuraya X5-Touch
When choosing a satellite phone, you need to consider where you will use it, how often, and for how long you will be away.
You also need to consider the temperatures at which you will use the phone and how long you will be without the possibility of recharging.
A brief overview of the Thuraya satellite phone lineup:
Thuraya XT-LITE – one of the most popular handsets among our subscribers. Suitable for making calls and sending SMS in any temperature conditions. It is a fully featured keypad phone, simple to use. You will stay connected even in the middle of the desert, in sub-zero temperatures, on the open sea, in forests, steppes, or mountains.
Thuraya XT-PRO DUAL – a phone that supports two modes of operation with two SIM-card slots. By using both a satellite SIM card and a GSM SIM card simultaneously, you can confidently leave terrestrial network coverage and enjoy the benefits of connectivity regardless of location with a single device.
SatSleeve+ – a universal adapter compatible with various iPhone and Android models. The smartphone connects to the device via Wi-Fi and the “SatSleeve+/Hotspot” app; the GTNT SIM card is inserted into the SatSleeve adapter, so you can always stay connected and make satellite calls using your own phone’s dialer and contacts. Not recommended for use in very low temperatures, as the smartphone’s touchscreen may limit usability.
SatSleeve Hotspot – a portable satellite Wi-Fi access point supplied with a special stand. In this case, the satellite device is used separately from the smartphone, at distances up to 30 m (in the absence of obstacles). Using the dedicated app on your smartphone, you can make satellite calls.
Thuraya X5-Touch – the world’s first Android satellite phone. It runs Android and features a 5.2″ Full HD touchscreen. It has two nano-SIM slots for both GSM and satellite networks.
When the device’s antenna is pointed south with no obstructions (walls, trees, mountains, etc.), modern Thuraya phones acquire a signal within 30 seconds—the older the model, the longer it takes. Connection speed depends on how accurately the antenna is aimed at the satellite: the more precise and “clear” (unobstructed) the alignment, the faster the signal lock.
Upon powering on and pointing the antenna at the satellite, the signal-strength indicator will blink while GPS coordinates are determined. After positioning, the phone registers on the network and displays “Russian Federation (Russian Fed)” on the screen.
The signal-strength indicator must remain steady (not blinking) to confirm a stable connection.
Insert the SIM card into the phone. Before turning it on, make sure the SIM card is activated.
Choose an open area facing south, with no obstacles blocking the line of sight to the satellite.
Extend the antenna and point it south. Stand facing north (if you’re using the phone without a headset).
Turn on the phone. “Searching network” will appear on the screen and the signal-strength indicator will blink while GPS coordinates are being acquired.
If the signal is weak, move to a location with better reception.
When the signal-strength indicator stops blinking and “Thuraya Russian Fed” appears, you’re connected (in Russia).
If only “Emergency Calls” appears, contact our duty operator at 8-800-200-9060 or email noc@gtnt.ru
THURAYA XT-LITE
Up to 6 hours of talk time and up to 80 hours of standby time
Despite the reliability of the physical keypad in cold conditions, remember that all satellite phones use Li-ion batteries. They perform poorly in the cold, so keep the device warm. At normal temperatures, the average battery provides three hours of talk time or 30 hours of standby. If you talk six minutes a day and then turn off the device, the charge will last about a month.
Having a SIM card inserted does not affect battery drain when the phone is powered off—simply turn the phone off after your call.
THURAYA XT-PRO DUAL
Up to 11 hours of talk time and up to 100 hours of standby time
THURAYA X5-Touch
Up to 11 hours of talk time and up to 100 hours of standby time
You can connect using one of the following options:
- Via the feedback form
- By phone at +7 495 781 24 24 or 8 800 550 90 60
- By email at info@gtnt.ru
On the “PROSTO” tariff, a call minute to a Russian landline or mobile number from within Russia costs 0.75 units (1 unit = 80 ₽), i.e., 60 ₽ per minute. Billing is per minute and prepaid, so you must have sufficient funds in your account to make calls.
Purchasing a minute package is optional. It is an add-on you can activate at any time.
The manufacturer specifies the following data speeds for the SatSleeve+/Hotspot and X5-Touch: download up to 60 kbps / upload up to 15 kbps (GmPRS).
Please note that these speeds are not comparable to GSM networks. Modern phones and browsers download updates in the background, and loading ads and images on websites consumes a lot of data. Therefore, you should disable all updates and ads.
At these speeds, messaging apps are fine for text conversation, but sending photos will be difficult. High signal levels are required for optimal data transmission.
Phone number
- Dial *100# on any Thuraya phone.
- Via the Personal Account. Account credentials are provided when the SIM is activated. You can access the Personal Account from www.gtnt.ru by clicking “Личный кабинет” in the top right corner.
Login: your account number, assigned at activation and sent in the activation email
Password: specified in Appendix A of your satellite-service contract
If a SIM has not been used for three years (no calls or SMS sent), beginning on the 549th day after your last chargeable activity (paid calls, SMS, or data), a daily subscriber fee of 20 ₽ (incl. VAT) will be assessed. This fee stops if you resume activity or exhaust your balance. The subscriber fee is debited monthly.
To ensure your SIM remains active and avoids the subscriber fee after 549 days, send an SMS to any number once every two to three years under the current rules.
Personal account
The Personal Account is created when the SIM card is activated.
Account data—your account number—is assigned upon activation and communicated to you by an activation email sent to the address specified in Appendix A. The password is stated in Appendix A of the contract.
If you lose or forget your Personal Account login or password, you must:
- Call +7 495 781-24-24 or 8 800 550-90-60 and request account access recovery
- Email info@gtnt.ru with a request to restore access to your Personal Account
The current balance is displayed on the main page of your Personal Account.
You can check your remaining package minutes under Services → Minute Packages.
Call, SMS, and Internet usage details are available under Billing Documents → Details.
Charges are shown on the second page of the billing statement in the brief details section—Billing Documents in the Personal Account.
There you can find billing statements for the past year.
GTNT mobile satellite communication services are provided on a prepaid basis. Therefore, you must maintain a positive balance proportional to your expected call and SMS usage to avoid service interruption due to insufficient funds. Individuals can top up their balance by bank card in the Personal Account. More information on payment methods is available here.
Tariffs
“Udobno” Tariff — a plan with no monthly fee where you purchase a minute package; suitable for frequent users and heavy callers.
“Vygodno” Tariff — per-minute billing with a monthly fee of 3.33 units, which includes 5 minutes.
All communication services are prepaid, so you must maintain a positive balance in your account.
A single rate applies to all subscribers, regardless of tariff, when outside Russia’s land territory in the Thuraya network coverage. You can view rates here. Before traveling, ensure that international roaming is enabled. If you plan to make calls beyond Russia’s borders (e.g., from a train), you must subscribe to the international access service. To do so, submit a request for roaming and/or international access in advance by email to info@gtnt.ru.
Minutes packages
Minute packages are activated upon subscriber request. You can download the request form in the Personal Account. Send the completed form to info@gtnt.ru. When you activate a package, the full cost is debited from your account at once, so you must have sufficient funds available.
Re-registration of a SIM card is done by terminating the existing contract with the previous owner and signing a new contract with the new owner. The required documents for changing the SIM-card owner are:
- Termination request
- New contract
- Appendix A to the contract
- Payment document for the activation fee
All documents must be sent together as a single package to avoid prolonged service interruption and to prevent SIM deactivation. Activation for the new owner is fee-based—1,106.25 ₽ according to the current tariff. Prepayment must be made in advance.
SIM card
If your balance is insufficient to cover the monthly subscriber fee or minute-package fee, your SIM card will enter “Preliminary Block” for up to 30 days.
During Preliminary Block you can still receive incoming calls/SMS, call tech support (170), and use any unused service packages.
To lift Preliminary Block, top up your account within 30 days by at least the amount of the subscriber fee or minute-package fee.
If you do not top up within 30 days, your account moves to “Financial Block,” which disables all service and deactivates your SIM.
To remove Financial Block, you must top up your account with the subscriber fee or minute-package fee (as per your tariff) plus the reconnection fee specified in your tariff plan.
Other
- Ensure the SIM card is inserted correctly.
- Make sure the antenna is extended.
- Point the antenna south and face north.
- Ensure there are no tall buildings, trees, mountains, or other obstacles blocking direct line of sight to the satellites.
- If the problem persists, contact tech support at 8800 200 90 60 or email noc@gtnt.ru.
In accordance with subparagraph (b) of Article 117 of the Rules for the Provision of Telephony Services (approved by the Government of the Russian Federation on December 30, 2024, No. 1994), corporate and sole-proprietor subscribers must provide the operator with accurate information about end users of communication services within 15 business days of signing the Satellite Mobile Radio Communication Services Agreement (the “Agreement”). In the event of a change of end users, updated information must be submitted no later than 15 business days after the transfer of the identification module to the new user.
If accurate end-user information is not provided, CJSC “GTNT” is required to suspend service on the affected subscriber number.
Accordingly, if you have not yet provided or have provided outdated end-user information, please send us a completed and signed Appendix B to the Agreement as soon as possible.
