ZTE manufactures world’s first low-cost solar-powered mobile phone - using innovative technology from Intivation.

Barcelona, February 18, 2009  –  Digicel Group has launched the Coral-200-Solar, the world’s first low-cost solar-powered mobile phone. The Coral-200-Solar, manufactured by ZTE, uses proprietary technology from Dutch-based innovator Intivation.

Digicel Coral-200-SolarSince early 2008, Digicel has been providing its customers with low-cost or free portable solar chargers in many markets. The concept of linking charger devices and a phone at the point of sales has been a proven success. Now, with the launch of the Coral-200-Solar with an integrated solar charger built into the phone, Digicel takes the initiative to an even higher level.

There are an estimated two billion people in the world who have limited or no access to electricity. The population of many emerging markets in which Digicel provides cellular services will benefit greatly by access to a mobile handset that can be powered by the sun, or by electric power when it is available.
 
Tom Bryant, Digicel Group VP Distribution Procurement comments; “Solar-powered handsets are clearly the way to meet the needs of power-challenged users across the globe. While the idea of solar-powered handsets has been around for some time, it has taken the leadership of Digicel and the technology and manufacturing skills of its partners Intivation and ZTE to make the Coral-200-Solar handset a reality. This marks another first for Digicel and we think our customers are going to love this great device.”

Mr Xiong Hui, VP of ZTE’s handset division says: “As mobile phones continue to proliferate in emerging markets and are widely used where electricity is available, mobile operators are demanding more innovative handsets. We are confident that the Digicel Coral-200-Solar is such a product and that solar power technology can be used in any type of handset. We are pleased to provide this handset with Digicel and Intivation. It will help millions of consumers worldwide to use mobile phones more conveniently and the technology is more environment-friendly.”

Digicel will begin to deploy the Coral-200-Solar in selected markets from this June.