According to reports the mobile network operator Vodafone has launched what it describes as the ‘lowest cost mobile phone on Earth’.

A new mobile phone that has been launched by the mobile network provider Vodafone and is aimed at the developing world has been described as the ‘lowest cost mobile phone on Earth’. It is thought that the phone will cost around ten pounds and is called the Vodafone 150. It was unveiled at the Mobile Phone Congress in Barcelona this month.

The phone is set to be launched in a number of developing countries to start off with, including Turkey, India, and eight countries in Africa. It is thought that the greatest levels of growth with mobile phones will be seen in the developing world over the course of this year, with the UN predicting ownership will reach five billion.

Officials from the International Telecommunications Union have said that amongst the reasons for the increase in mobile phone ownership is the fact that people are using the devices for access to banking services and healthcare. An official from the union said: “Even the simplest, low-end mobile phone can do so much to improve healthcare in the developing world.”

He said that SMS could be used to “deliver instructions on when and how to take complex medication such as anti-retrovirals or vaccines.” He added: “It’s such a simple thing to do, and yet it saves millions of dollars.”

The new Vodafone handset will offer a number of practical features for people in developing countries to use, such as SMS, voice calls, and features that will allow for mobile payment services.

Source – BBC