"Access to the Internet has been limited, however, due to infrastructure constraints and the high cost of computers. Wananchi is very exited to bring this revolutionary service to Kenya, which will allow access to the Internet and key applications such as IM and Email without a need for computers or copper lines," continued Mucheru.
"The Ogo and the services supporting it extend Internet accessibility to the wireless world. In essence, we at Wananchi believe that the service will make it possible for thousands of young people who currently use Cyber Cafes as their primary connectivity hub, to have access anywhere they go for an affordable price, while not compromising on the rich experience they are used to."
"We are very excited at the prospect of enabling the mobile masses in Kenya," said Amit Haller, president and CEO of IXI Mobile, the maker of the Ogo device and provider of the hosted services associated with it. "Partnering with ISPs around the world to extend their reach beyond the home or the office has been a key component of our strategy," continued Haller. "Especially in countries where the infrastructure or the cost of the personal computer limit the penetration of Internet accessibility, our end to end solution is in many cases the only viable option for the end
user."
"The demand for application-based mobile data solutions is increasing at a dramatic rate across Africa and in Kenya," added Andre Ellis, managing director of Blue Tech Africa, IXI Mobile's African sales and distribution partner. "Success of such solutions will however depend on ease-of- implementation, ease-of-use, relevancy of applications, affordability and support," Ellis continued. "In Ogo we see the combination of all of these aspects which we believe makes it the optimal mobile messaging solution for Kenya."
