Safaricom/Huawei Launch Ideos Ascend Y100

26th June 2012… Leading integrated communications provider, Safaricom limited has today entered into an exclusive deal with Huawei, a leading global Information and Communication Technology (ICT) services provider to sell the newly launched Ideos Ascend Y-100 at the affordable Ksh8 499. The Ideos Ascend Y 100 is an entry level smart phone and is a successor to the hugely popular Ideos U8150 which was launched in February last year.

The phone will be available in 3 colours, Black, White and Pink. Customers will also get a one off 1.5 GB data offer valid for 90 days, airtime worth KSh1000 , 7 days unlimited SMS and a 2GB SD card.

Hailed by analysts as one of the smallest smart phones in the market, the Ideos Ascend Y 100 operates the Android Gingerbread 2.3 operating system which makes the phone faster to use and more power efficient providing users with a smooth surfing experience.

"In line with our vision to democratise data across this country, we are offering the Ideos Ascend Y-100 which will allow consumers to enjoy all the capabilities of a smartphone such as android operating system, high processing speeds, Wi-Fi and hotspot connectivity in style and at an affordable price," said Peter Arina, GM-Safaricom's Consumer Business Unit.

Over 210,000 Ideos U8150 were sold in Kenya making it the highest grossing smartphone in the country. Mr. Arina noted that the success of the Ideos U8150 had served to confirm that there exists in the Kenyan data market a gaping need for quality, affordable devices that will enhance the customer's data experience. "Last year, Safaricom made a brave move when we decided to subsidize smartphones in a bid to make it affordable to the masses. This move resulted in Android phones taking a foothold as the smartphone of choice in Kenya. As a result, we have seen a marked increase in internet usage and 3G utilization over the last year and to date Ideos users use internet the most in comparison to other handset users," he added.

The IDEOS brought home the reality of internet access on a mobile device for the middle class and to the majority of buyers: students, who previously found smartphone prices high and inaccessible. Two years on, Kenyan's have joined the smart phone revolution thanks to fair pricing and subsequent affordability for the target market.

"Huawei is a leading global solutions provider that works towards user experience in the digital era. Through continuous customer-centric innovation, Huawei responds quickly to customers' needs with a comprehensive, customized set of offerings, with a vision to enrich life through communication. This new IDEOS is testimony to this commitment", said Huawei's CEO, Mr. Wind Li.

He added that the company is keen on making strategic investments towards driving advancement into an innovative, digital and knowledge-led economy in the countries it operates, and this can only be achieved through smart devices such as the Ideos Ascend Y 100. The company in addition plans to bring to Kenya this year the Honor smartphone and the Mediapad tablet.

The Ideos Ascend Y 100 boasts a 3.2 megapixel camera to capture both photos and video at a quality 30 frames per second, which is the equivalent of a standard camcorder. The phone offers fast mobile internet (up to 7.2 Mbps on the downlink) and fast Wi-Fi 'n' so you can upload and share your photos and videos with friends via social networking sites.
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About Safaricom Limited

Safaricom provides a comprehensive range of services under one roof. This includes mobile and fixed voice and data services on a variety of platforms. With annual revenues in excess of Ksh100 billion, it is Kenya's widest 3G network with a growing fibre optic cable footprint and its most expansive WIMAX presence.

Safaricom pioneered commercial mobile money transfer globally through M-PESA, the most successful such service anywhere in the world. Launched in March 2007 as a money transfer service, it now has over 15 million customers and over 37,000 Agent outlets countrywide.

About Huawei Device

Huawei Device believes that everyone can be the center of information and that the world would be a better place if access and information barriers were knocked down. Its strong suite of mobile phones, mobile broadband devices and home devices is testimony to Huawei Device's focus on customers and its commitment to providing user-friendly mobile internet experiences through ongoing innovation. Based on more than two decades of success in the information and communications industry, and with our own channel expertise, operational capabilities and global partner resources, Huawei Device is transforming from a company that sells millions of devices in single transactions to large businesses, to a "Business-to-People" (B2P) brand that also sells individual devices directly to millions of people. As at the end of 2011, Huawei Device serves more than 500 operators all over the world. For more information, visit Huawei Device online: www.huaweidevice.com

For more information, contact:
Victoria Kaigai,
Head of Corporate Communications,
Safaricom Limited
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Follow us on Twitter: @SafaricomLtd

Mumbi Karanja
Silver Bullet PR
Tel: 020 2348076 /81
Cell: 0753 888 369
E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

26th June 2012… Leading integrated communications provider, Safaricom limited has today entered into an exclusive deal with Huawei, a leading global Information and Communication Technology (ICT) services provider to sell the newly launched Ideos Ascend Y-100 at the affordable Ksh8 499. The Ideos Ascend Y 100 is an entry level smart phone and is a successor to the hugely popular Ideos U8150 which was launched in February last year.

The phone will be available in 3 colours, Black, White and Pink. Customers will also get a one off 1.5 GB data offer valid for 90 days, airtime worth KSh1000 , 7 days unlimited SMS and a 2GB SD card.

Hailed by analysts as one of the smallest smart phones in the market, the Ideos Ascend Y 100 operates the Android Gingerbread 2.3 operating system which makes the phone faster to use and more power efficient providing users with a smooth surfing experience.

"In line with our vision to democratise data across this country, we are offering the Ideos Ascend Y-100 which will allow consumers to enjoy all the capabilities of a smartphone such as android operating system, high processing speeds, Wi-Fi and hotspot connectivity in style and at an affordable price," said Peter Arina, GM-Safaricom's Consumer Business Unit.

Over 210,000 Ideos U8150 were sold in Kenya making it the highest grossing smartphone in the country. Mr. Arina noted that the success of the Ideos U8150 had served to confirm that there exists in the Kenyan data market a gaping need for quality, affordable devices that will enhance the customer's data experience. "Last year, Safaricom made a brave move when we decided to subsidize smartphones in a bid to make it affordable to the masses. This move resulted in Android phones taking a foothold as the smartphone of choice in Kenya. As a result, we have seen a marked increase in internet usage and 3G utilization over the last year and to date Ideos users use internet the most in comparison to other handset users," he added.

The IDEOS brought home the reality of internet access on a mobile device for the middle class and to the majority of buyers: students, who previously found smartphone prices high and inaccessible. Two years on, Kenyan's have joined the smart phone revolution thanks to fair pricing and subsequent affordability for the target market.

"Huawei is a leading global solutions provider that works towards user experience in the digital era. Through continuous customer-centric innovation, Huawei responds quickly to customers' needs with a comprehensive, customized set of offerings, with a vision to enrich life through communication. This new IDEOS is testimony to this commitment", said Huawei's CEO, Mr. Wind Li.

He added that the company is keen on making strategic investments towards driving advancement into an innovative, digital and knowledge-led economy in the countries it operates, and this can only be achieved through smart devices such as the Ideos Ascend Y 100. The company in addition plans to bring to Kenya this year the Honor smartphone and the Mediapad tablet.

The Ideos Ascend Y 100 boasts a 3.2 megapixel camera to capture both photos and video at a quality 30 frames per second, which is the equivalent of a standard camcorder. The phone offers fast mobile internet (up to 7.2 Mbps on the downlink) and fast Wi-Fi 'n' so you can upload and share your photos and videos with friends via social networking sites.
----------------------
About Safaricom Limited

Safaricom provides a comprehensive range of services under one roof. This includes mobile and fixed voice and data services on a variety of platforms. With annual revenues in excess of Ksh100 billion, it is Kenya's widest 3G network with a growing fibre optic cable footprint and its most expansive WIMAX presence.

Safaricom pioneered commercial mobile money transfer globally through M-PESA, the most successful such service anywhere in the world. Launched in March 2007 as a money transfer service, it now has over 15 million customers and over 37,000 Agent outlets countrywide.

About Huawei Device

Huawei Device believes that everyone can be the center of information and that the world would be a better place if access and information barriers were knocked down. Its strong suite of mobile phones, mobile broadband devices and home devices is testimony to Huawei Device's focus on customers and its commitment to providing user-friendly mobile internet experiences through ongoing innovation. Based on more than two decades of success in the information and communications industry, and with our own channel expertise, operational capabilities and global partner resources, Huawei Device is transforming from a company that sells millions of devices in single transactions to large businesses, to a "Business-to-People" (B2P) brand that also sells individual devices directly to millions of people. As at the end of 2011, Huawei Device serves more than 500 operators all over the world. For more information, visit Huawei Device online: www.huaweidevice.com

For more information, contact:
Victoria Kaigai,
Head of Corporate Communications,
Safaricom Limited
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Follow us on Twitter: @SafaricomLtd

Mumbi Karanja
Silver Bullet PR
Tel: 020 2348076 /81
Cell: 0753 888 369
E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.