ZTE & Safaricom to launch solar-powered handset, Simu ya Solar (Kenya)

www.WirelessFederation.com/news: ZTE Corp, one of the world’s leading equipment supplier and network solution provider has tied up with the Kenyan mobile operator, Safaricom to launch the solar-powered mobile phone in Kenya. The handset will be dubbed as Simu ya Solar, is manufactured from recycled materials and has a built-in solar panel that charges the phone using the sun’s rays.

The launch of the handset will enbale Safaricom to meet the needs of rural residents who have no direct access to electricity and have had to pay for charging services.
The price of the handset will be reportedly about US$39. Safaricom CEO Michael Joseph said that solar power is cheap, green and renewable, and that the company is keen on developing green business processes and products.
The new handset will come in handy not only in rural areas of the country but also in urban areas, where electricity is rationed, the CEO added.