After we saw the launch of French-based Infinix and Wiko Mobile in Kenya, a new US smartphone brand dubbed Ole has launched in Kenya targetting low-end budget smartphone customers and the rural feature phone market.
The firm which runs the Ole Mobile, Antel Communications yesterday unveiled the Ksh 5500 Ole Aspen Android OS Smartphone and the Ksh 1800 Ole Alder a feature phone in partnership with Kenya’s Synergy Innovations Ltd.
The Aspen has a 3.5″ HVGA screen, a 256MB + 512MB RAM, a 2MP Rear Camera, 12.2mm thin and an 1100h battery. The phone also has Wi-Fi, bluetooth, FM, Video, Music
The announcement comes after Synergy Innovations announced the appointment of Winacom Kenya as the main distributor for the Ole brand of phones. The deal worth Ksh. 500 million will see Winacom become the main distributor for the Ole brand phones.
Speaking at the partnership signing ceremony, Mr. George Kangara Managing Director Synergy Innovations termed the deal as a major milestone for his company and a first of many for the Ole brand. “Indeed our journey to bring quality and affordable phones into the Kenyan market has been realized and we hope that through this very noble step we will champion Nairobi and Kenya as the hub of mobile innovations in Africa”.
He added “Further to bringing new mobile brands into the market, we want to redefine the way every Kenyan interacts with his mobile device, for us it’s personal and we are out to make the mobile device work for all of us”.
Echoing Mr. Kangara’s sentiments, Winacom Chairman Mr. Francis Ng’anga welcomed this new partnership terming it as a win for small and medium sized enterprises in Kenya. For two indigenous companies with humble beginnings to sign a deal of this magnitude, it shows that there is hope for small businesses in Kenya and that mobile will be a key driver in this space added Mr. Nganga.
The deal that was funded by Equity Bank will see Synergy innovations leverage in the distribution network of Winacom Kenya creating grassroots reach in over 250 locations countrywide leaving Synergy Innovations with the task of building and marketing the Ole brand.
Ole Mobile is manufactured by Antel Communications LLC, Based in New York with Research and Development in Taiwan, Korea and assembled in Shenzhen and Hangzhou.
The brand offers a palate of high quality, beautifully crafted and affordable tablets, feature and smart phones addressed to various consumer needs ranging from entry level to high end phones. According to Mr. Kangara, all our devices run on an Android OS and will incorporate entertainment, E-commerce applications and E-learning portals developed to carter for the African Market.