Emblaze Gains African Handset Distribution Partner

Emblaze Mobile says that it has signed an exclusive distribution agreement with Blue Tech Africa, a subsidiary of the Managed Enterprises Incorporated group, which will see its handsets introduced to key African markets during 2006. BlueTech will provide a total fulfilment solution covering; warehousing and logistics, inventory management coupled with next day delivery, handset customisation, and management of online sales and fulfilment throughout Africa.

The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) states that Africa has become the world's fastest-growing mobile phone market. Over the past five years the continent's mobile phone use has increased at an annual rate of 65 percent, which is twice the global average

According to the Yankee Group, by end of 2005 Africa's total mobile installed base will reach over 85 Million subscribers and is expected to grow to over 100 Million in 2006. The total handset sales this year are 21 million and expected to grow to just under 26 million devices by end of 2006 (99% of them are GSM/GPRS devices).

Other research has show that the number of mobile users is growing twice as fast in developing countries as in developed countries. This growth has been aided by pre-pay options that allow users to control spending and

Posted to the site on 5th December 2005