Huawei, a leader in providing next-generation telecommunications network solutions for operators around the world, in partnership with Safaricom, the largest mobile operator in Kenya, has launched a U8220 mobile phone, which is powered by the Google Android operation system that will be able to support high speed Internet access.
The phone, first of its kind in East African market entails a 3.5 – inch HVGA touch screen, the largest among all Android phones. It also features innovative canvas profile which enables users to switch freely between six default extended screens. The phone is also abit bulky compared to the new sleek slim powerful phone. There are also complaints that the phones processor speed is just so slow for the applications it is expected to run.
The phone is not new though since it was launched in August 2009 in other places and has a low daily interest among cellphone users. Maybe Huawei thinks that this market might just spur interest in the phone.
Speaking at the launch, Chief Operations Officer Huawei Technology (Kenya) Radoslaw Kedzia said, “We are launching Huawei U8220 Android phone in the Kenyan Market making it the first to enjoy this high-tech phone in the whole of Africa. Customers will use various applications freely powered by the Google Android software at affordable price. The launch also reflects our long term investment to develop high-tech devices which will enable users explore various unique applications that satisfies their needs.’
“I believe that World-leading operators are looking for differentiated and innovative products to increase revenue from the increasingly saturated terminals market hence the mutual partnership with Safaricom.” Added Mr. Kedzia.
Safaricom’s Chief Executive Officer, Michael Joseph, “. Safaricom and Huawei have been collaborating for several years now and this joint initiative is an example of cooperation between the most innovative companies in the fields; Safaricom is the Kenyan telecommunication arena. Safaricom is in the middle of revolutionizing its use of the internet to change people’s lives and Huawei is an important partner to the end.”
Presiding the event, Dr. Bitange Ndemo, PS Ministry of Information, Communications and Technology said, “ I am confident that as we work towards achieving Vision 2030, we will take advantage of collaborating with companies that are more innovative to improve our economic development. These include the recent arrival of fibre optic cable into the Kenyan Market and we are already launching a new innovative phone in the sub Saharan Africa thus making a step into fulfilling our vision.”
Other features of the phone include, sleek chrome cover and HSDPA, Wi-Fi, and GPS capabilities. The U8220 will be sold in all Safaricom outlets around the country with a retail price of less than Kshs. 27,000.
Safaricom also promises to launch other android powered phones selling between Ksh 10,000 to Ksh 15,000 by year end.
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