Motorola to Help Charge Cell Phones in Rural Uganda
Cell phone giant is launching a project in rural Uganda that will allow people to charge their cell phones using solar power.
Over the past decade, the use of cell phones in the developing world has skyrocketed with the vast majority of people jumping from no phone at all, to their own cell phone and skipping the traditional landline. This has big benefits in bringing communications technology to the masses of poor as it bypasses the need for expensive infrastructure. Yet one problem remains – the ability to charge the battery of cell phones in places that have sporadic access to electricity, and in some cases, no electricity at all.
Today, many people without access to electricity that want to charge their phones use diesel powered generators that are expensive and emit a lot of carbon per unit of energy, creating a much larger than required carbon footprint.
In response, Motorola will be building kiosks connected to a solar panel where people can charge their phones for free. Each kiosk will have a 55 watt panel that can charge up to 20 phones at the same time. Of course, this is not entirely altruistic, as the kiosks will also sell phones, SIM cards, and top up cards to individuals waiting for their phone charge to complete.
In Namibia, Motorola is testing the use of solar and wind power for similar ventures. While phone companies have not traditionally been interested in power, now that is showing the potential to open up vast new markets they seem much keener. And as it is helping reduce their carbon footprint and introducing environmentally friendly technologies to Africa, it is certainly a worthwhile endeavour.
|
Share This Story: |
