Vodafone Essar, one of India’s leading cellular services providers, 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.

With an extended solar powered battery, the solar powered phone aims to address 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.” 

The phone also has other features such as FM radio, color screen and a powerful torch light and will be commercially available shortly.