The growing Indian market gets a greener device from Vodafone’s Indian subsidiary, Vodafone Essar. This new phone launched by Vodafone in the Indian markets is called the VF 247, it will go on sale this August for a mere 1,500 Rupees (roughly $32). This is something totally new to the Indian consumers and with the right marketing strategies, this phone may become a great hit as a substitute entry-level phone.

According to Vodafone, the device needs to be under the sun for 8 hours to get a full charge and I wonder what are the possibilities, as I am not yet sure whether it should be directly exposed to the sun. However, a full charge will give you roughly a week of standby tine and about 4 hours of talktime. We have already seen solar powered phones in the Indian market, especially the Samsung E1107 Guru which was a huge disappointment but with the VF 247 the price difference will make a huge difference in the sales.

The VF 247 is not really rich on other features, but in a country like India the solar charging options will take this phone to rickshawala’s, taxi drivers, and others with similar earning potential. The VF 247 also has an FM Radio and a bright LED which helps as a flash light. According to Marten Pieters, Chief Executive for Vodafone Essar;

“Vodafone’s solar powered phone is launched for people residing in areas where electric supply is unstable, so that consumers can rely on solar charging to remain connected. This launch is likely to enable more people in rural India to go mobile and thus increase penetration from the current 20%. We will continue to invest to uplift the quality of telecom services and products in India.”

That is all we know for now but we will let you know more as soon as we get some more details.

Press Release:

Mumbai, July 27, 2010 – Vodafone Essar, one of India’s leading cellular services providers, today announced the launch of its latest generation eco-friendly solar charging handset in India. The new handset uses a solar powered solution to benefit users in areas with adequate sunlight. UK’s Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rt Hon George Osborne MP and Marten Pieters, MD and CEO, Vodafone Essar Ltd., today launched the VF 247 Solar Powered phone at the Vodafone store in Fort, Mumbai. The launch of VF 247 solar powered phone is in keeping with Vodafone’s aim to increase mobile technology accessibility for millions in India. With an extended solar powered battery, the solar powered phone addresses the problem of unstable electricity supply in many rural areas. VF 247 solar powered phone charges by itself, by exposure to ambient light. Sun Boost, the special inbuilt hardware and software ensures that the phone charges also in a room, under normal daylight. Speaking on the launch, UK’s Chancellor of the Exchequer Rt Hon George Osborne MP said, “I’m very pleased to help launch Vodafone’s new solar powered handset. It’s the new UK-India economic partnership in action. The handset will get more people connected, paying less and doing their bit for the environment.” “Reflecting a strong commitment to the Indian market, Vodafone continues to launch affordable products and services to cater to the differentiated needs of consumers.” said Marten Pieters, MD and CEO, Vodafone Essar Ltd. “Vodafone’s solar powered phone is launched for people residing in areas where electric supply is unstable, so that consumers can rely on solar charging to remain connected. This launch is likely to enable more people in rural India to go mobile and thus increase penetration from the current 20%. We will continue to invest to uplift the quality of telecom services and products in India.” Vodafone’s rural network coverage of 65% is the second highest in India. It also has the second largest rural subscriber base in the country. The VF 247 solar powered phone comes with essential mobile phone features such as FM radio, color screen and a powerful torch light and will be commercially available shortly. About Vodafone Essar Vodafone Essar is the Indian subsidiary of Vodafone Group and commenced operations in 1994 when its predecessor Hutchison Telecom acquired the cellular license for Mumbai. The company now has operations across the country with over 109.06 million customers**. Vodafone is the world’s leading international mobile communications group with approximately 347 million proportionate customers as on 30 June 2010. Vodafone currently has equity interests in 31 countries across five continents and around 40 partner networks worldwide. For more information, please visit www.vodafone.com.

The Essar Group is a diversified business corporation with a balanced portfolio of assets in the manufacturing and services sectors of Steel, Energy, Power, Communications, Shipping Ports & Logistics, and Projects. Essar employs more than 50,000 people across offices in Asia, Africa, Europe and the Americas.

**Figures from Cellular Operators Association of India, 30th June 2010.

For further information please contact: Genesis B-M Priyanka Banerjee: + 91 9819871566 priyanka.banerjee@bm.com.