South Africa’s leading mobile operator, Vodacom, is set to expand its innovative cloud-based phone to other African markets. This strategic move aims to make smartphone-style features more accessible and affordable across the continent. The cloud-based phone, which offers a “smartphone lite” experience, has already seen significant success in South Africa.
The device, produced by South African mobile phone firm Mobicel and resold by Vodacom, leverages cloud computing to provide popular applications like YouTube, TikTok, and Facebook at a fraction of the cost of traditional smartphones. Retailing at just 199 rand ($11), the phone is designed to help bridge the digital divide by making modern technology more accessible to those who cannot afford high-end devices.
Vodacom’s Managing Executive for Terminals, Davide Tacchino, highlighted the company’s commitment to reducing the cost of smartphone access and accelerating the migration from legacy 2G and 3G networks to modern 4G networks. With mobile internet penetration in sub-Saharan Africa at just 27%, there is a significant opportunity to expand access to digital services.
The cloud-based phone has already sold nearly 100,000 units in South Africa, and Vodacom is now evaluating the potential for expansion into other markets. This initiative aligns with global efforts to increase smartphone penetration and reduce the digital divide.
As Vodacom continues to explore new markets, the company remains focused on providing affordable, high-quality devices that enable users to access the digital ecosystem. This expansion is expected to drive economic growth, enhance job prospects, and contribute to broader societal transformation across Africa.
