Motorola marked World Telecommunications Day in Sandton last night by announcing its red Motoslvr mobile handset, linked to the Product Red campaign for fighting AIDS in Africa, will be available in SA later this year.
The Product Red campaign, founded by U2`s Bono and Bobby Shriver, chairman of Data, at the World Economic Forum earlier this year, is designed to deliver private sector money to the Global Fund to fight AIDS.
Motorola`s red Motoslvr is the latest in a line of products from manufacturers like Gap, American Express and Armani, to join the campaign.
"Motorola is not only dedicated to connecting the unconnected, but also in helping fight the AIDS epidemic," said Stephen Nolan, country manager for Motorola Southern Africa.
Motorola is negotiating with local network operators to ensure that when the red Motoslvr hits SA around August, at least R100 of the price and 5% of the monthly revenue from each handset will go to the Global Fund.
Local users will be able to upgrade to the red Motoslvr and transfer existing SIM cards to the new handset to begin contributing to the fund.
"The proceeds of selling just three handsets can provide a year`s worth of school materials and daily meals for a child orphaned by AIDS, while 5% of the average yearly phone bill can provide 180 treatments to prevent mother-to-child transmission of HIV," said Allen Burnes, Motorola corporate VP: high growth markers for mobile devices.
He hopes Motorola`s contribution to the Global Fund would make a significant impact on eradicating AIDS in Africa.
"In addition to sales and account revenues, Motorola has also undertaken to manufacture the red Motoslvr handsets in Africa as well as source all packaging and digital content as part of a long-term strategy to develop sustainable business for Africa," added Burnes.
After announcing Motorola`s participation in the Product Red campaign earlier this week, Bono flew to Lesotho to oversee negotiations with a packaging company in the capital Maseru.
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