Vodafone Essar, one of India’s leading cellular services providers, has introduced a new handset keeping in mind its rural subscriber base in India. The unique feature of this handset is that it has solar charging which is going to benefit mobile users in areas with adequate sunlight. This unique offering of VF 247 Solar Powered phone was launched by UK’s Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rt Hon George Osborne MP and Marten Pieters, MD and CEO, Vodafone Essar Ltd., in Mumbai. VF 247 Solar Powered phone has the ability to charge itself by exposing to  ambient light. This unique capability of the handset is achieved by Sun Boost, the special inbuilt hardware and software which charges the handset also in a room with normal daylight. With erratic power supply in most of the rural areas this handset is going to address the  problem of recharging the phone through electricity. Vodafone boasts of 65 % of rural network coverage which is second highest in India. Vodafone has the second largest rural subscriber base in India and it aims to increase the penetration with such initiatives. VF 247 solar powered phone also features FM radio, color screen and a powerful torch light and it will be made available quite soon.

“Reflecting a strong commitment to the Indian market, Vodafone continues to launch affordable products and services to cater to the differentiated needs of consumers.” said Marten Pieters, MD and CEO, Vodafone Essar Ltd. “Vodafone’s solar powered phone is launched for people residing in areas where electric supply is unstable, so that consumers can rely on solar charging to remain connected. This launch is likely to enable more people in rural India to go mobile and thus increase penetration from the current 20%. We will continue to invest to uplift the quality of telecom services and products in India.”