Press Releases > 5 year African Order for the FreeCharge™ Mobile Phone Charger
2006-05-15
2006-05-15Press Release - Weber Shandwick, Financial Communications:
5 year African Order for the FreeCharge™ Mobile Phone Charger
Freeplay Energy plc (AIM: FRE), the sustainable energy company that captures, stores and delivers electric power to self-powered devices such as radios, torches and mobile phone chargers, is pleased to announce that its wholly owned subsidiary company, Freeplay Market Development Limited has signed a distribution agreement with WP Phones International's Hong Kong subsidiary, WP Phones International Hong Kong Limited ("WP Phones") for its FreeChargeô Mobile Phone Charger ("FreeCharge") in Africa.
The five year agreement will provide Freeplay with minimum annual sales through WP Phones of one million units of the FreeCharge charger. WP Phones will have exclusive distribution rights in sub Saharan Africa over the period.
The agreement is for both models of the FreeCharge. One model is a low-cost 12 volt unit which is adapted to handsets via a standard cigarette lighter adapter. The other model is a multiple voltage unit with versatile connectivity which is able to power a wide range of cell phone handsets and other personal electronic devices. The internal battery can be charged via the alternator, or an AC/DC adapter, and energy can be stored in the charger itself, to be supplied to the mobile phone when required. Approximately forty-five seconds of winding provides about three minutes of call time, and several hours of standby.
Rory Stear, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer commented:
"We are delighted with this substantial order from WP Phones. This agreement supports Freeplay's continued focus on telecommunications opportunities, particularly in Africa where there are in excess of 50 million cell phone users and according to the World Bank, only 22% of people who have access to electricity."
"The majority of these FreeCharge units will be customised to exclusively power WP Phones but will be co-branded with Freeplay."
-Ends-
For further information, please contact:
Freeplay Energy plc†020 7851 2630
Rory Stear, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Weber Shandwick Square Mile†020 7067 0700
Louise Robson or Rachel Taylor
Charles Stanley &Co†020 7067 0700
Mark Taylor or Freddy Crossley
Notes to Editors: Freeplay Energy's core technology revolves around the efficient conversion and storage of applied human energy, and the delivery of this energy on demand as electricity to create self-powered electronic devices. Initial applications include radios (both consumer and humanitarian), torches, mobile phone chargers and standalone foot chargers and the Company has a new product development plan which anticipates broadening the application of its technology into new product categories. Freeplay believes it was first to market and commercialise self-powered technology and that it is recognised as a leading brand in this market for such products.
Established in 1994, the Company today has offices in both London and Cape Town and floated on AIM, a market operated by the London Stock Exchange plc in March 2005. Further information about Freeplay Energy and its products can be found at www.freeplayenergy.com.
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