Solo Phone launches devices in Nigeria

By Ventures Africa

With mobile technology increasingly transiting from voice-centric to multi-purpose platforms, Solo Phone, a Nigerian smartphone maker, has continued its push into emerging markets by launching two multi-purpose devices – Solo S350 and S450 – into Nigeria’s already competitive smartphone market.

With relatively affordable prices and an Android Jelly Bean-powered operating system, Solo comes into the Nigerian market with an offer of “a unique experience on a premium smartphone,” Solo Phone CEO, Tayo Ogundipe says.

According to him, Solo brings to consumers a dual-SIM multi-services platform with streaming on mobile, innovative hotspot solutions (Kiosks), promising 2-3 minutes to download movies powered by Nollywood streaming company, iROKOtv. The smartphone also features an entertainment hub with easy access to albums, charts and free download of up to 20,000 million songs (local and international) for the life span of the device.

The device is a new idea that will bring the true promise of mobile telephony to emerging markets, Head of Qualcomm West Africa, Alex Dadson said.

According to him, the idea behind Solo is a multi-services platform that enhances the experience of the consumer. “This will allow costumers access several services on one platform, thereby enhancing productivity that in turn drives the economy.”

Solo, which describes itself as “not just a device manufacturer but an mobile content provider targeting emerging markets”, will have to compete with established brands like Samsung, Tecno, HTC and Nokia jostling for market share in Nigeria.

“The beauty of the smartphone industry is that nothing is set in stone…it is about innovation, strategy and staying on top,” Ogundipe quips.

“The ambition for Solo is to bring to emerging markets the same complete experience Apple used to reshape the industry by bringing iTunes and iPhone together in a complete ecosystem which fundamentally changes the use of mobile.”

Although the smartphone is manufactured abroad, Solo is 75 percent owned by Nigerians and has already opened an experience centre in Computer Village, a vibrant IT hub in Nigeria’s economic capital, Lagos.