KaiOS Technologies, the makers of KaiOS mobile operating system for smart feature phones, and Econet Wireless Zimbabwe have announced the launch of the Atom 3G phone in Zimbabwe, the country’s first 3G smart feature phone.

Announcing the launch, Econet said the new handset will be bundled with a 3-month data package, offering customers 6GB of FREE data upon every purchase.

The companies said the phone will be available at half the average price of a basic Android smartphone sold in Zimbabwe.

The company’s Chief Commercial Officer Navdeep Kapur said: “The COVID-19 pandemic has made life difficult for people in Zimbabwe. We want to help them get online, communicate with their loved ones locally and abroad via WhatsApp, Sasai or regular cellular voice calls. We also want our customers to access valuable content at this time, such as medical tips and advice.”

Kapur said the Atom 3G phone can be purchased from any Econet Shop or other distribution agents across the country and added that the phone supports Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and GPS.

“The phone has a 2.4-inch display, 512MB of storage and supports a microSD card. It also comes with a powerful 1,500mAh battery that enables long and extended hours of talk time. Atom 3G is priced at a level that is affordable for the millions of Zimbabweans who may not have the resources for a traditional smartphone, and we have included three months of free data as well to on-board new users and help them to access the mobile internet,” said Kapur.

He added that the long battery life, lasting up to 48 hours for the average user, was a critical feature for the informal sector in Zimbabwe.

The companies believe the launch of the Atom 3G is a major step towards full digital inclusion in Zimbabwe.

According to the Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (Potraz) first quarter sector performance report for 2020, industry figures show that mobile data penetration is currently at 59.1%.

The Potraz report also showed that WhatsApp usage constitutes 40.5% of the total mobile internet and data usage in the country.

The companies add that the current penetration level presents an untapped opportunity of 40.9% of the population that is yet to be digitally included. This is aligned to Econet’s Digital Lifestyle Network positioning which emphasizes the enhancement of customers’ lives through digital transformation.

Across much of Africa, the key barriers to internet access are device & data affordability as well as digital literacy. Smart feature phones running on KaiOS have been developed specifically to address these gaps.

“With access to the soon-available SASAI all-in-one App, which includes the popular SASAI Health Status Report, the device is set to help individuals, families, employees, employers, policymakers and others manage and mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 epidemic”, said Kapur.

The Atom 3G device also supports Google Assistant, which is especially useful for the less digitally literate users to easily interact with the device using voice commands. Other essential apps supported include Google Maps, YouTube, Facebook, and an in-house App called Life, which offers digital skills training and other educational material. These can be accessed on the phone from the KaiStore, which houses over 600 other data-lite apps.

Sebastien Codeville, CEO of KaiOS Technologies, said: “We are delighted that KaiOS-enabled devices, which combine durability, affordability, and ease-of-use in one, are now available in Zimbabwe. With access to important, useful, and relevant content, we believe this device will enable every Zimbabwean to benefit from digitalization and positively impact their lives.”