Harare <July 2, 2020> – KaiOS Technologies, the makers of KaiOS – the leading mobile operating system for smart feature phones – and Econet Wireless Zimbabwe, the country’s largest mobile network operator with the broadest data network, today launched the Atom 3G phone. This is the country’s first 3G smart feature phone, and is set to help millions of Zimbabweans access the Internet and become digitally included.
Announcing the launch, Econet said the new handset will be bundled with a 3-month data package, offering customers 6GB of FREE data upon every purchase. The phone will be available at half the average price of a basic Android smartphone sold in Zimbabwe, making the Atom 3G the most affordable 3G device in the country.
The company’s Chief Commercial Officer, Mr Navdeep Kapur, said: “The COVID-19 pandemic has made life difficult for people in Zimbabwe. We want to help them get online, communicate with their loved ones locally and abroad via WhatsApp, Sasai or regular cellular voice calls. We also want our customers to access valuable content at this time, such as medical tips and advice.”
Mr Kapur said the Atom 3G phone can be purchased from any Econet Shop or other distribution agents across the country and added that the phone supports Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and GPS.
“The phone has a 2.4-inch display, 512MB of storage and supports a microSD card. It also comes with a powerful 1,500mAh battery that enables long and extended hours of talk time.
Atom 3G is priced at a level that is affordable for the millions of Zimbabweans who may not have the resources for a traditional smartphone, and we have included three months of free data as well to on-board new users and help them to access the mobile internet,” said Mr Kapur.
He said the long battery life, lasting up to 48 hours for the average user, was a critical feature for the informal sector in Zimbabwe and encouraged Zimbabweans to embrace the future by opening up to digitalisation. “It is now possible for all, with the new Atom 3G,” Mr Kapur said.
The launch of the Atom 3G is a major step towards full digital inclusion in Zimbabwe. According to the Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (POTRAZ)’s first quarter sector performance report for 2020, industry figures show that mobile data penetration is currently at 59.1%. The POTRAZ report also showed that WhatsApp usage constitutes 40.5% of the total mobile internet and data usage in the country.
The current penetration level presents an untapped opportunity of 40.9% of the population that is yet to be digitally included. This is aligned to Econet’s Digital Lifestyle Network positioning which emphasizes the enhancement of customers’ lives through digital transformation.
Across much of Africa, the key barriers to internet access are device & data affordability as well as digital literacy. Smart feature phones running on KaiOS have been developed specifically to address these gaps.
“With access to the soon-available SASAI all-in-one App, which includes the popular SASAI Health Status Report, the device is set to help individuals, families, employees, employers, policymakers and others manage and mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 epidemic”, said Mr Kapur.”
The Atom 3G device also supports Google Assistant, which is especially useful for the less digitally literate users to easily interact with the device using voice commands. Other essential apps supported include Google Maps, YouTube, Facebook, and an in-house App called Life, which offers digital skills training and other educational material. These can be accessed on the phone from the KaiStore, which houses over 600 other data-lite apps.
Sebastien Codeville, the CEO of KaiOS Technologies, said: “We are delighted that KaiOS-enabled devices, which combine durability, affordability, and ease-of-use in one, are now available in Zimbabwe. With access to important, useful, and relevant content, we believe this device will enable every Zimbabwean to benefit from digitalization and positively impact their lives.”
About KaiOS Technologies
KaiOS Technologies powers an ecosystem of affordable digital products and services and exists to empower people around the world through technology. Its flagship product, KaiOS, is the leading mobile operating system for smart feature phones – and the third-largest mobile operating system in the world – with more than 135 million devices shipped in over 150 countries.
Kai’s mission is to open up new possibilities for individuals, organizations, and societies by bringing mobile connectivity to the billions of people without internet in emerging markets, as well as providing those in established markets with an alternative to smartphones.
KaiOS is based on HTML5 and other open web technologies. Devices running on the platform require limited memory, while still offering a rich user experience through access to apps like Google Assistant, WhatsApp, YouTube, Facebook, and Google Maps.
For more information about KaiOS, please visit www.kaiostech.com and www.twitter.com/kaiOSTech
About Econet Wireless
Econet Wireless Zimbabwe Limited is the largest mobile telecommunications, technology and digital solutions company in Zimbabwe. Now among the top three heavyweight counters, the company was listed on the Zimbabwe Stock Exchange (ZSE) in September 1998, less than three months after launching its commercial operations in July 1998.
Over the past 20 years Econet – which is by far the market leader in its industry with over 12.4 million connected customers – has invested millions of US dollars in deploying the widest and most robust 2G, 3G and 4G networks in the country.
Through its solid asset base, strong leadership and astute investment in talent, Econet has consistently led in innovation, product development and service delivery, enabling it to maintain and consolidate its market leadership position.
The company was the first to launch 3G services in 2009, the first to successfully launch mobile money services in 2011 under the name EcoCash, the first to launch mobile 4G in 2013, and the first to launch mobile insurance (EcoSure), among many other products and services it has rolled out.
So successful have Econet’s financial technology services been that in December 2018 the company successfully spun off its fintech businesses, to give birth to Cassava Smartech Zimbabwe Ltd, now a leading counter on the ZSE.
Econet has built an extensive distribution channel network throughout the country, which has created employment for tens of thousands of Zimbabweans and significantly contributed to the country’s public finances through taxation and various levies and other statutory obligations.
The company has, for over 20 years, supported social impact programmes in education, public health and youth leadership development mainly through its annual grant to Higherlife Foundation, which has impacted over 250 000 orphaned and vulnerable children.
KaiOS Media Contact
Eletta Leung / Bridget Fishleigh
eletta.leung@kaiostech.com / bridget@telecomsprafrica.com +44 7946 342 903
Econet Wireless Media Contact
Fungai Mandiveyi
Fungai.mandiveyi@econet.co.zw
+263 772 793 500