Islamabad, Pakistan <23 January 2020> – Today, Jazz, Pakistan’s leading digital communications company, KaiOS Technologies, maker of the leading mobile operating system for smart feature phones, and Swift Biz Solutions, the innovative technology-based products company with its brand Digit, announced a new smart feature phone for Pakistan’s masses – the Digit 4G. Upon launch, the Digit 4G will become the most affordable smart feature phone on the global market, at a down payment of just PKR 1800 (USD 11).
Coupled with a 12-month service agreement and access to popular apps such as WhatsApp, Google Assistant, Facebook, and YouTube, this KaiOS-enabled device bridges the mobile digital divide in a country where less than 30% of people have access to mobile broadband, according to the GSMA. Through the KaiStore, users will have access to an expanding selection of apps and other unique local content.
Aamir Ibrahim, CEO of Jazz, who has been championing #DigitalPakistan for the past two years, said,
“We want 2020 to start with this new device setting the benchmark for a nationwide 4G revolution. Yes, we have successfully tested 5G, but our biggest challenge and opportunity is to take 2G customers to 4G and to offer good quality broadband to every Pakistani. We saw an inequality, and we went ahead and tried to fix it with this affordable phone.”
“We’re excited to help bring a new device to the people of Pakistan,” said Sebastien Codeville, CEO of KaiOS Technologies. “The digital divide continues to be a persistent issue across the country, but we know smart feature phones, like the Digit 4G, will positively impact the lives of new users.”
“Digit is a trusted name in the market. Our focus in launching this phone is using cutting-edge technology for durability, affordability and ease of use. The content and customized applications will allow every Pakistani to benefit from digitialization with access to services and products at their fingertips. The product comes with Digit’s commitment of high quality and best after-sales services,” said Mr Abdul Rehman Mahmood CEO Digit.
Per the GSMA’s Pakistan report, 40% of mobile phone owners in the country remain disconnected from the internet’s digital resources due to a lack of digital literacy, and the Digit 4G combats this with an easy-to-use interface, and more importantly a built-in Google Assistant. Voice is a natural way for first-time internet users to access information easily, so they can quickly broaden their knowledge and connection to the digital world.
Available at select Jazz retail outlets, the Digit 4G comes with a competitive service bundle, including 1,000 minutes of talk time, 1,000 SMS, 1GB internet, and three months of free internet usage of WhatsApp and Facebook. With 4G connectivity and an incredibly long battery, the Digit 4G makes high-speed internet more accessible and affordable for Pakistan’s millions of disconnected people.
KaiOS is a light operating system, which enables a new category of affordable smart feature phones that require limited memory, while still offering a rich user experience. It supports 3G + 4G/LTE, Wi-Fi, GPS and Hotspot. KaiOS-enabled phones come with popular apps and services like WhatsApp, Google Assistant, Facebook, YouTube, and Google Maps, as well as a store for apps called the KaiStore with over three hundred essential apps, from both global and local content providers. It is now the third largest mobile operating system worldwide, running on over 130 million devices shipped across Europe, Africa, Asia and the Americas.
About KaiOS Technologies
KaiOS Technologies powers an ecosystem of affordable digital products and services, and exists to empower people around the world through technology. Its flagship product, KaiOS, is the leading mobile operating system for smart feature phones with more than 130 million devices shipped in over 100 countries. Kai’s mission is to open up new possibilities for individuals, organizations, and societies by bringing mobile connectivity to the billions of people without internet in emerging markets, as well as providing those in established markets with an alternative to smartphones. KaiOS is based on HTML5 and other open web technologies. Devices running on the platform require limited memory, while still offering a rich user experience through access to apps like Google Assistant, WhatsApp, YouTube, Facebook, and Google Maps.
About Jazz
Jazz is Pakistan’s largest digital telecommunication company. Serving over 60 million subscribers across the country.
About Swift Biz Solutions (Digit)
Swift Biz Solutions is a decade old company working in the technology space in Pakistan. The company holds major market share in mobile broadband devices in the year 2019. The company has been serving the needs of technology solution and products of Telecom operators of Pakistan.