Fenix Blog
Top 11 Companies to Watch Out for in 2011
By Lesley Stones - Telecoms companies must continually innovate and evolve, otherwise they'll disappear from this unforgiving industry in a jiffy. Some are better at it than others, and some bounce back after setbacks that would cripple less enterprising entities. Lesely Stones looks at 11 companies that Africa Telecoms believes will do big things in 2011. They're listed in no particular order, and since technology trends and public demand are notoriously fickle, don't sue us if we're wrong!
#7 Fenix International
An estimated 1.6 billion people live in areas not served by an electricity grid. So as well as lacking an easy source of light and heat, it's a bit of a struggle to recharge a mobile phone too.
The statistics come from the GSMA, which is working with operators to address off-grid charging issues. The GSMA believes there's a sound commercial reason for operators to support its efforts, as trials in Madagascar and Haiti suggest that once off-grid subscribers acquire mobile charging solutions, their usage and ARPU rise by 10% to 14%.
Not everyone living without electricity has a phone, of course, but the GSMA reckons 600 million do. That's a huge market for companies such as Fenix International, which produces affordable power generation and storage solutions.
One product is the ReadySet battery that can quickly charge from a bicycle generator, solar panel or from the grid using a wall adapter. The next version will also be charged by wind.
The resulting electricity can power lights, phone chargers and other small devices. A ReadySet will cost around US $150 with a power source such as a solar panel. Fenix plans to launch its products in Africa first, and hopes to sell them through phone distributors and network operators, which lose money when customers have flat phones.
The packs aren't designed for individual buyers, but for entrepreneurs who can run a business by selling the power. In a pilot project in Uganda, Fenix found people could earn US $50 a month from the batteries.
Link to full magazine (p 74)
Categories: Media Coverage
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