CAPE-TOWN,
South-Africa Featuring
ground-breaking technology and an affordable cost structure that quickly turns
to profitability for telecoms, World Panel Inc. will launch a suite of powerful
handheld solar chargers at AfricaCom in Cape Town, South Africa, Nov.
12-14. The World Panel 500 and 1000 portable phone chargers will be unveiled
for the first time at the largest African telecom conference, to showcase a
solution for the revenue gap caused by charging difficulties, and provide
branding opportunities for wireless carriers, their partners and OTTs, with
colorful units that pack a lot of consumer appeal.
A key
feature of the new chargers is the patented ‘direct-from-the-sun’ technology
that charges a phone as fast as a wall outlet and allows for a low price-point
as well as remarkable durability. Utility-grade materials from the
solar industry are used in the construction of the rugged devices so they can
endure the harshest environmental conditions in the Sub-Saharan. A full
array of accessories including powerbanks, lights and charge-on-the-go backpacks
will also be on display at the Booth P7 at AfricaCom. The chargers can
power any USB device and can be linked together using our patent-pending
PowerLink to double or triple the output.
“I
arrived in the Sub-Saharan in 2011 with a solar prototype for boiling water and
left with the clear message that people wanted a better way to keep their
phones charged,” said World Panel CEO John Anderson. “After an intense
R&D and testing period, I am returning to Africa to launch a line of
patented chargers that meets the requirements of those I interviewed: it
is as fast as a wall plug, it will last, and the price is right. Income
generation is possible also for both entrepreneurs and the telecoms since 10
phones can be charged in a day.”
Recent
independent tests performed on the chargers show that the most popular phones
in Africa charge in an hour, which provides five to six hours of talk
time. Blackberry smart phones charge in two to three hours and provide
three to four hours of talk and data time. Test reports for charging
Nokia phones, Samsung, iPhone, iPads, etc. will be available at the show and
upon request. In-booth demonstrations with sun simulators, including
charging while under water, are also available at P7.
Meetings
with U.S. and European executives from World Panel are being scheduled now for Nov.
12-14 in Cape Town with operators who would like to discuss preferred
pricing at the show.
By eliminating the charging costs associated with
phone ownership in many areas, and allowing for fast and easy charging for up
to 10 phones per day via free sun energy, operators can review programs that
recoup the cost of the chargers within a few months and generate ARPU for years
to come. On-the-go charging can pave the way for more airtime purchases and
smart phone use. World Panel will offer attractive co-branding and
bundling opportunities to those interested in adding mobile electricity to
their line of subscriber services. GSMA states that charging solutions
represent a $3.37 billion USD opportunity for the operators, and the U.N.’s
energy initiative has published that African telecoms suffer a 20% revenue loss
due to unreliable phone charging.
Exclusive
arrangements are in place for multi-colored solar cells to be used in the
manufacturing process, allowing for various color combinations in the finished
products and specific branding requests. World Panel Inc. is prepared to
take orders at the show and products will be available in early 2014.
Distributed by APO (African Press Organization) on behalf of
World Panel Inc