Vodacom South Africa, a subsidiary of Vodacom Group, has unveiled a cloud-based phone to lower the cost of smartphone access in the country and speed up the transition of customers from older networks to modern 4G networks on the country’s most dependable network.
According to a 2022 report by the Broadband Commission for Sustainable Development, supported by Vodacom’s parent company, Vodafone Group, reducing device costs is critical to expanding smartphone access. For instance, the Alliance for Affordable Internet estimates that a smartphone priced at R1,094.24 (US$62/€56) could account for nearly 63% of the average monthly income across Africa. The report from the Broadband Commission recommended exploring thin-client phones, such as the new cloud-based phone delivered by Vodacom. This innovative cloud-based phone utilizes cloud computing to offer a range of features typically associated with entry-level smartphones at a more affordable price.
The Mobicel S4 4G Cloud Phone comes pre-loaded with popular applications like YouTube, TikTok, and Facebook, all accessible via the cloud, providing users with a "smartphone lite" experience. The device will be available for only R249 (US$13.93), featuring 48MB RAM + 128MB ROM, a 2.8" screen, and a 1000mAh battery.
“As smartphone penetration continues to rise, with many South Africans now owning a smartphone, the digital divide remains a challenge, among those who still rely on 2G and 3G networks. At Vodacom, we remain committed to bridging the digital divide by providing affordable devices – which explains why we have introduced this cloud-based model to offer lite smartphone benefits to those who traditionally cannot afford them. The cloud phone will also help customers still anchored to 2G phones and not familiar with the touch screen experience, allowing them to appreciate a smooth transition to the data and application world,” said Davide Tacchino, Managing Executive for Terminals at Vodacom South Africa.
“As technology continue to evolve, we must stay abreast of evolution, to ensure customers are not left behind. Our cloud-based phone is not just another phone, but a tool that enables access to the digital ecosystem” he added.
“Through greater collaboration between governments, mobile operators and everyone across the value chain, we believe we can make strides to work together to lower 4G-enabled smartphones prices,” Mr Tacchino concluded.
Source: Vodacom