Mobile operators have also begun final preparations for the launch of 4G services. They have sent text messages to their clients, advising them to swap their SIM cards to the 4G-ready version.
Vodafone sent text messages to its customers telling them to change their mobile chips to suit 4G services. The company told some of its customers via text messages that they would receive gifts in the form of free internet megabytes if they changed the mobile SIM card to the 4G-ready one.
As part of its preparations to launch 4G services, Vodafone has launched a new 4G smartphone, Smart Turbo 7. The phone gives the buyers their money back in the form of free credit that can be used for calls, text messages, or internet over 12 months.
According to Karim Shehata, head of sales at Vodafone Egypt, Smart Turbo 7 is the bestselling device in South Africa, alone accounting for 35% of the mobile market share. He noted that 25 people in the research and development department have worked on developing the smartphone to have full services required by clients for daily life, next to providing over 1,500 point-of-sales across the republic that also offer after-sale services.
Fadwa Al-Qusairi, the head of marketing at Vodafone Egypt, said that Vodafone Egypt has launched its latest version of smartphones in conjunction with the launch of the services of 4G in Egypt, expecting the service to make a quantum leap in terms of content and video applications. The business sector as well will benefit from a more efficient internet services, as 4G is considered one of the main platforms for the Internet of Things (IoT). She noted that the entry of 4G will require providing a new digital content that matches the rapid development of services.
Moreover, she said that the Smart Turbo 7 is one of a set of mobile phones offered by Vodafone in Egypt, as part of its plan to expand in the manufacturing of smartphones in Egypt. The set also includes Vodafone Smart Mini Tab, Vodafone Smart Prime 7, and Vodafone Smart Ultra.
The Smart Turbo 7 comes with a 5-inch screen and two cameras. The front camera captures pictures at 5 megapixels, while the back camera has a 2 megapixel sensor. The phone has a slot for up to 32 GB external memory cards, along with 2 slots for SIM cards that can work with all mobile networks. The internal memory is 8 GB, operated by Android Marshmallow 6.0 and powered by a quad-core 1.0 processor. The device comes with a battery of 2,000 milliampere.
Vodafone Egypt has announced early this year launching a new version of its Vodafone Smart Mini 7, which comes with many features, including its under EGP 1,000 pricetag. The device has 2 SIM card slots, Android 6 operation system and 2 megapixel camera.
