In a significant move to bridge the digital divide in Africa, Digit, a leading mobile device manufacturer, has partnered with MediaTek, a global fabless semiconductor company, and Vodacom, a leading telecommunications provider, to introduce affordable 4G smartphones to millions of Vodacom customers in South Africa and Tanzania, who currently rely on outdated 2G devices. This collaboration marks a crucial step towards bridging the digital divide and empowering African communities to fully participate in the digital world.
At the heart of this initiative lies the Digit4G Energy smartphone, powered by MediaTek’s MT6739, a feature-rich smartphone system on a chip (SoC). The Digit4G Energy not only provides access to 4G connectivity but also offers a range of essential features, including front and back cameras, a touchscreen plus keyboard combo, preloaded apps like WhatsApp, TikTok, and Facebook, and an app store.
“Africa’s mobile network operators, such as Vodacom, have made impressive progress in covering the continent with 4G mobile broadband while bringing down mobile data costs,” remarked Rami Osman, Director for Business Development, MediaTek Middle East and Africa. “Affordable and reliable smartphones like the Digit 4G play an invaluable role in accelerating access to these networks, ensuring that everyone in Africa can enjoy the benefits of fast mobile connectivity.”
The statistics are staggering: around 600 million people in Sub-Saharan Africa still lack smartphones, including 90 million Vodacom subscribers. This partnership between Digit, MediaTek, and Vodacom aims to address this challenge by creating a value chain that encourages the migration of 2G and 3G users to 4G devices, bridging the digital gap and empowering unconnected individuals to participate in the digital world.
“4G device distribution and adoption is one of the greatest barriers to unleashing digital inclusion in Africa,” asserted Davide Tacchino, Managing Executive: Terminals at Vodacom. “We are leveraging our global strengths and partnerships with local suppliers to ensure that affordable data-capable devices are available to all our customers, connecting them for a better future.”
Echoing this sentiment, Abdul Rehman Mahmood, CEO of Digit, added: “DIGIT is on a mission to close the digital divide in Africa, and we are delighted to partner with Vodacom Group and MediaTek to make a positive impact on the lives of African people. The Digit4G Energy is a unique combination of touchscreen and keyboard, operating on DigitOS, ensuring uninterrupted connectivity with advanced features like VoLTE, Wi-Fi, Hotspot, and Bluetooth. Together with Vodacom, DIGIT will work towards making affordable 4G phones accessible to all.”
