Archive for the ‘Uncategorized’ Category

Featurephones now more profitable than mid-tier smartphones

For many handset vendors, the world has turned upside down. Nokia’s $40 feature phones are vastly more profitable than Sony Ericsson’s $200 Android models. (more…)

The “Mobile Web” as text and voice

Revolution
The mobile web revolution has already spread around the world. The phase of it that we live in is where we see the internet hitting critical mass based on the availability of web connectivity on mobile devices. (more…)

Tags: ,

Tax cuts for mobile handsets lead to boost in Kenyan sales

Handset sales in Kenya up by 200%
A new report has revealed that mobile handset sales in Kenya have risen by 200% since the Kenyan Government chose to slash the 16% Value Added Tax (VAT) levied on mobile handset sales in 2009. Although the cut was announced two years ago, the effects are only just beginning to filter their way into the market. (more…)

Tags: , , , , ,

ForgetMeNot Africa triumphs at prestigious Meffys and 160 Characters awards

ForgetMeNot Africa has triumphed at the prestigious Meffys Awards, picking up the title of Best Innovation in a Mobile First Market for its innovative Message Optimiser technology. The Meffys success comes just two weeks after the company collected the coveted Innovation in Messaging award, also for its Message Optimiser system, at 160     Characters’ Mobile Messaging Awards.

ForgetMeNot Africa joined the likes of Coca Cola, Blackberry and Apple in picking up major awards at the Meffys, the official benchmark for measuring success in the mobile industry, hosted by  TV personality Ruby Wax on Wednesday, July 7.

Meffys judges rewarded ForgetMeNot Africa for its innovation in providing services to consumers who use mobile astheir first and primary point of access to the Internet.
Judges also recognised ForgetMeNot Africa’s provision of a quality consumer experience, success in leveraging local markets and for providing a sustainable business model. Message Optimiser has enabled access to Facebook, as well as email and online chat, to more than 47 million people across east, west, central and southern Africa in the last 12 months.

MEF’s Executive Director, Rimma Perelmuter, said: “Congratulations to ForgetMeNot Africa for bridging the digital divide globally within mobile first nations around the globe by transforming feature phones into smart ones.”

Tags: , , , , , , , , ,

Africa Com Update

The overall message was that although Africa is still experiencing strong organic growth (as Africa crossed the 500 million mobile subscriptions mark), the main opportunities for growth were identified as broadband, non-voice services, rural expansion and efficiency strategies. (more…)

Tags: , ,