Nairobi, Kenya, 22 Jul 2010
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 the market, has a 3.5-inch HVGA touch-screen, the largest among all Android phones. It also features an innovative canvas profile which enables users to switch freely between six default extended screens.
Speaking at the launch, Chief Operations Officer of Huawei Technologies Kenya, Radoslaw Kedzia, said: “We are launching the Huawei U8220 Android phone in the Kenyan market, making it the first to enjoy this hi-tech phone in the whole of Africa. Customers will use various applications freely powered by the Google Android software at an affordable price. The launch also reflects our long-term investment to develop hi-tech devices which will enable users to explore various unique applications that satisfy 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 Kedzia.
Safaricom's Chief Executive Officer, Michael Joseph, said: “We take this opportunity to laud Huawei Technologies for taking the leadership to formally launch the first Android phone in Kenya. 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 revolutionising its use of the Internet to change people's lives and Huawei is an important partner to the end.”
Presiding at the event, Dr Bitange Ndemo, PS Ministry of Information and Communications, said: “I would like to commend the efforts of Huawei Technologies and Safaricom in ensuring that Kenyans access innovative products. 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 sub-Saharan Africa, thus making a step into fulfilling our vision.”
Other features of the phone include sleek chrome cover, and HSDPA, WiFi, and GPS capabilities. The U8220 will be sold in all Safaricom outlets around the country with a retail price of around Kshs 27 000.
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