Grocott's Mail
    Facebook Twitter Instagram
    Monday, June 16
    Facebook Twitter Instagram
    Grocott's Mail
    • NEWS
      • Courts & Crime
      • Features
      • Politics
      • People
      • Health & Well-being
    • SPORT
      • News
      • Results
      • Sports Diary
      • Club Contacts
      • Columns
      • Sport Galleries
      • Sport Videos
    • OPINION
      • Election Connection
      • Makana Voices
      • Deur ‘n Gekleurde Bril
      • Newtown… Old Eyes
      • Incisive View
      • Your Say
    • ARTSLIFE
      • Cue
        • Cue Archives
      • Makana Sharp!
      • Visual Art
      • Literature
      • Food
      • Festivals
      • Community Arts
      • Going Places
    • OUR TOWN
      • What’s on
      • Spiritual
      • Emergency & Well-being
      • Covid-19
      • Safety
      • Civic
      • Municipality
      • Weather
      • Properties
        • Grahamstown Properties
      • Your Town, Our Town
    • OUTSIDE
      • Enviro News
      • Gardening
      • Farming
      • Science
      • Conservation
      • Motoring
      • Pets/Animals
    • ECONOMIX
      • Business News
      • Entrepreneurship
      • Personal Finance
    • EDUCATION
      • Education NEWS
      • Education OUR TOWN
      • Education INFO
    • EDITORIAL
    Grocott's Mail
    You are at:Home»Uncategorized»Let the sun (light) in
    Uncategorized

    Let the sun (light) in

    Busisiwe HohoBy Busisiwe HohoAugust 26, 2010No Comments2 Mins Read
    Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email

    A new cellphone soon to be launched may be the answer to network connectivity problems in remote areas. The VF 247 is a solar-powered phone which boasts features such as an integrated FM radio,  speakerphone, standard battery, solar panel and a torch.

    A new cellphone soon to be launched may be the answer to network connectivity problems in remote areas. The VF 247 is a solar-powered phone which boasts features such as an integrated FM radio,  speakerphone, standard battery, solar panel and a torch.


    According to Vodacom Executive Head, Richard Boorman, the phone has integrated solar panels that charge the internal battery which means that it will be able to work when it is cloudy or at night.

    “Depending on the strength of sunlight and the network connection, one hour’s charge could give you about 10 minutes.The phone will continue to charge in lower light levels, but obviously not as quickly as in direct sunlight,” Boorman said.

    He said the purpose of the phone is to make mobile communications accessible to as many people as possible including those who do not have permanent access to electricity.

    But reactions to the phone have been mixed. Extension 9 resident Linda Bans welcomed the news about the phone saying that she would not mind buying one.

    “We experience a lot of power cuts in our area, so the phone would make things better because it means that  I can charge it using sunlight,” Bans said. Joza resident, Nondyebo Xako said she liked the fact that  the phone saves electricity.

    “I think that the phone is a very good idea because I am unemployed so  having the phone means that I am able to save money,” she said.

    However some people have expressed  doubt over the fact that the phone uses solar energy to function. “I don’t think that I would buy the  phone because it seems to me that it functions in summer and spring only,” said Vukani resident Siyanda Nzuzo.

     

    Previous ArticleThe death of a clown
    Next Article ANCYL members excluded, claim
    Busisiwe Hoho

      Comments are closed.

      Code of Ethics and Conduct
      GROCOTT’S SUBSCRIPTION
      RMR
      Listen to RMR


      Humans of Makhanda

      Humans of Makhanda

      Weather    |     About     |     Advertise     |     Subscribe     |     Contact     |     Support Grocott’s Mail

      © 2025 Maintained by School of Journalism & Media Studies.

      Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.