Chinese company ZTE has announced that they have developed a low-cost solar powered mobile phone that they hope can bridge the gap between the rich and the poor. This will be the first of its kind to be made available in the market. They plan to sell it in June for $40 or less.
ZTE, in partnership with network operator Digicel, will be launching the product in Samoa, Haiti and Papua New Guinea. They estimate that their sales will reach up to several hundred thousand. For the many people who have limited or no access to electricity at all, ZTE’s mobile phone will connected them to the rest of the world.
ZTE’s phone is called Coral 200 Solar. It utilizes Dutch technology that boosts the current from a single solar panel located at the back of the mobile. The solar panel measures 3 cm by 7 cm. An hour’s worth of charge is equal to 15 minutes of talk time. The phone can be charged by conventional power supply as well.
Digicel has stated that power interruptions are common in the places where they conduct their business. This is the reason why a solar-powered phone will be a hot commodity in those areas. The company is active in the Central American, Caribbean and Pacific regions. At present, they offer solar-powered chargers for their clients.
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