Press releaseKenya's Safaricom launches Solar Phone

13 Aug 2009

NAIROBI/AMSTERDAM AUGUST 13, 2009

Yesterday Kenya's largest mobile network operator Safaricom has introduced the first solar-charged mobile phone, developed by ZTE and Intivation, into the Kenyan market.

Branded Simu ya Solar and manufactured under a partnership with ZTE, the handset is made from recycled materials and has an in-built solar panel that charges the phone using the sun’s rays. It is available at all Safaricom retail and dealer channels countrywide and comes with a one-year warranty.

Simu ya Solar, which also comes with a conventional charger, will be retailing at all
Safaricom shops countrywide at a price of KSh2,999.

Speaking during the launch of the phone, Safaricom Chief Executive Officer Michael Joseph said the company has always been keen on embracing business processes and products that are environmentally-conscious.

“Solar power is definitely the way to go as it is cheap, green and renewable. This solarcharged phone will come in handy particularly in the rural parts without grid electricity and even urban areas, for those who are keen on saving on phone maintenance costs,” he said.
“Our subscribers will not have to take their phones to merchants for charging and wait all day for their handsets to charge in order to make calls. They can now talk all day and night without worrying about the level of charge and charging costs.”

The launch of Simu ya Solar underpins Safaricom’s credentials as a green and
environmentally-sensitive company in all facets of its operations. Safaricom already has over 60 Base Transmission Stations (BTSs) that are operating on renewable energy sources – wind and solar-driven turbines in various parts of the country. Safaricom House, the firm’s head office, is also fitted with motion-sensitive light bulbs to minimize the use of electricity within the office environment.

Environment Minister John Michuki, who presided at the event, said going
forward, sustainable companies would be those that do not just look at bottom line but also the impact of their activities on the environment in which they do business.
“Businesses will have to take due consideration of the environment and issues such as renewable energy, carbon dioxide emissions and climate change in order to remain sustainable,” he said.

The minister urged Kenyans to support initiatives such as tree planting to
increase forest cover and slow down climate change and its disruptive effects
on lives.


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Background information

Safaricom is a leading provider of converged communication solutions, operating on a single business driver that has a peerless understanding of voice, video and data requirements.

We are a “one stop shop” for integrated and converged data and voice communication solutions. Safaricom with its countrywide network is the only network that can provide broadband high-speed data to its customers through its 3G network, Wimax and fibre.

Our services are all geared towards growth. We seek to make positive contributions to communities in direct ways through value added services and financial support for community projects. Our commitment in giving back to the society seeks to address Health, Sports, Culture, Environment and Education.

About ZTE
As one of the first Chinese telecoms equipment provider to pursue business in overseas markets, ZTE now has about 50,000 employees and 8,000 of them are working in about 100 representative offices around the world.
Since 1996, the company has provided products and services to 135 countries and regions, serving major telecoms operators in Asia Pacific, South Asia, North America, Europe, Latin America, Africa and the Commonwealth of Independent States. Through a combination of strategic marketing, product differentiation, cost advantage improvement, human resources optimization and intellectual property management, ZTE has established firm commercial partnerships with over 500 operators around the world.

About Intivation
Mobilizing the sun, Intivation helps handset manufacturers and network operators bring mobile communications to 1.6 billion power challenged and environmentally aware users.
 
We develop and market highly innovative, proprietary technology that increases the power output of solar cells making a solar powered device that works. Intivation partners with some of the world’s leading ODMs, and has broad experience integrating solar power solutions in portable consumer electronics.
 
Intivation is the leader in the development of solar powered mobile phones, chargers and battery packs.
 
For more information contact us at hello@intivation.nl or +31204350250.