Presented with this prestigious award is a truly encouraging achievement of the company, as it signified recognition from one of the most internationally acclaimed design competitions. The KaiOS award-winning entry is a custom-built, innovative mobile interface design responding to the needs of the next billion to encourage mobile internet adoption. Half of the world’s population is not connected to the internet, and device affordability is a critical blocker. That’s where KaiOS comes in – powering affordable, easy-to-use devices with little memory while bringing the best of smartphones with valuable digital resources.

An affirmation for outstanding user experience design to onboard new internet users 

Just as exciting as winning the award is the affirmation of the team’s design approaches and capabilities to creating a user experience that has these new internet adopters in mind. Unlike other advanced or sophisticated OS designs for touch devices, the KaiOS UX team’s design vision is not solely focused on aesthetics. Ensuring the UI runs seamlessly and smoothly on a low-spec device and can be easily adapted by digitally illiterate users is a key priority while making no compromises on the good looks. The team has to go back to the basics – reimagine the barriers that new internet users may face and redesign what works for them.

The Red Dot Award recognizes good design, but it is a joint effort across all teams during the product development process to make a product functional, viable and nice-looking. It demonstrates the strong teamwork that makes the connectivity journey for the next billion easy – from discovery to actual interactions. 

Stage 1 – An operating system with intuitive UI 

The UX team takes a minimalist design approach that helps users navigate intuitively and interact with apps successfully, even on a non-touch display with 2.4 inches. This is particularly essential for users who have never own a mobile phone or are digitally illiterate. 

They are introduced to phone navigation using hardware keys in the first mobile experience, and then progressively taught how to use features such as voice input etc.

The use of physical keys is also optimized in apps such as Browser to make up for the hardware limitations.

Flexibility can be seen throughout the interface design, even in the apps menu, where three designs are provided. From the simplest single view to the more advanced list view or grid view, users can decide what works best for them.

Stage 2 – Onboarding tools and features 

The thoughtfully designed home screen is enhanced with a carousel design which provides direct access to apps that can be selected simply by pressing the keypad. This streamlined experience makes it easier for users to find the apps they use most frequently.  

Cards design on the home screen is another useful feature. It provides step-by-step guides to users on how to connect to the internet with contextual information that can effectively assist users in discovering what the internet has to offer. 

Get Connected UI is created as a friendly prompt to remind users when an internet connection is needed. It motivates them to engage with digital content regularly to help them develop the habit of making the best use of the internet.  

Stage 3 – Useful content in KaiStore 

Having an interface and onboarding tools that allow the user to browse, navigate, and search effectively and efficiently, now it’s about providing useful and relevant content. KaiStore, a store of apps with a wide variety of app titles, is now possible on feature phones. There are the world’s most popular apps such as WhatsApp, Facebook, YouTube, Google Maps, etc., and also locally relevant content including some in-house apps such as KaiLife, with a directory of curated content in categories, from agriculture, digital skills, financial inclusion, to the most up-to-date health topics such as COVID-19. 

Not only focused on developing in-house apps, the UX team continues fine-tuning the KaiStore experience that ultimately improves usability. For example, making it easier to find good content with related apps in search, or creating loading animations to make them visually intrigued while waiting for an app to load. 

Publication of the award-winning products

There are many more to it. Be sure to head over to The Red Dot online exhibition and learn more about our winning project. 

Exhibition duration: 13 November 2021 – 9 January 2022

Want to meet the masterminds who build this intuitive ecosystem? Check out our design journey and explore with us the UX design for the next billion → Design at Kai Medium. 

The post KaiOS wins Red Dot Design Award 2021Building an intuitive, relevant ecosystem designed for the next billion appeared first on KaiOS.

The list honors the businesses making the most profound impact on both industry and culture, showcasing a variety of ways to thrive in today’s fast-changing world. This year’s MIC list features 434 businesses from 39 countries.

“We’re thrilled to receive such distinguished recognition from Fast Company,” said CEO Sebastien Codeville. “KaiOS, our mobile operating system for smart feature phones, enables millions of people in emerging markets to go online for the first time, and experience apps such as WhatsApp, Google Assistant, Facebook, and YouTube on devices that can cost as little as $10-$30. For Fast Company to recognize our innovative approach is a great validation of our mission to help close the digital divide and advance digital inclusion.”

Fast Company ranked KaiOS Technologies at #11 on their Top 50 Most Innovative Companies list, as well as #1 in the Consumer Electronics category. To date, more than 120 million KaiOS-powered smart feature phones have shipped to more than 100 countries around the world. These affordable yet capable devices make essential digital content on education, healthcare, and communications accessible to millions of people around the world for the first time.

The impact of KaiOS is global and touches regions most affected by the digital divide, such as Uganda, Rwanda, India, Indonesia, Brazil, and Pakistan. Kai’s in-house educational app “Life” has also spread to new markets, delivering purpose-built, high-quality self-improvement content on topics including health, agriculture, digital skills, and gender equality.

Fast Company’s editors and writers sought out the most groundbreaking businesses on the planet and across myriad industries. They also judged nominations received through their application process.

The World’s Most Innovative Companies is Fast Company’s signature franchise and one of its most highly anticipated editorial efforts of the year. It provides both a snapshot and a road map for the future of innovation across the most dynamic sectors of the economy.

“At a time of increasing global volatility, this year’s list showcases the resilience and optimism of businesses across the world. These companies are applying creativity to solve challenges within their industries and far beyond,” said Fast Company senior editor Amy Farley, who oversaw the issue with deputy editor David Lidsky.

Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies issue (March/April 2020) is now available online at http://fastcompany.com/most-innovative-companies/2020, as well as in app form via iTunes and on newsstands beginning March 17, 2020. The hashtag is #FCMostInnovative.

About KaiOS Technologies

KaiOS Technologies powers an ecosystem of affordable digital products and services, and exists to empower people around the world through technology. Its flagship product, KaiOS, is the leading mobile operating system for smart feature phones with more than 120 million devices shipped in over 100 countries. Kai’s mission is to open up new possibilities for individuals, organizations, and societies by bringing mobile connectivity to the billions of people without internet in emerging markets, as well as providing those in established markets with an alternative to smartphones. KaiOS is based on HTML5 and other open web technologies. Devices running on the platform require limited memory, while still offering a rich user experience through access to apps like Google Assistant, YouTube, Facebook, Google Maps, and Twitter. The company is recognized as a winner of GSMA’s GLOMO Awards 2020 in the category of Best Mobile Technology Breakthrough, and also ranked among TIME’s Best Inventions in the Social Good category for 2019 and has won several other awards, including the “Changing Lives Award” at AfricaCom 2019.

About Fast Company

Fast Company is the only media brand fully dedicated to the vital intersection of business, innovation, and design, engaging the most influential leaders, companies, and thinkers on the future of business. Since 2011, Fast Company has received some of the most prestigious editorial and design accolades, including the American Society of Magazine Editors (ASME) National Magazine Award for “Magazine of the Year,” Adweek’s Hot List for “Hottest Business Publication,” and six gold medals and 10 silver medals from the Society of Publication Designers. The editor-in-chief is Stephanie Mehta and the publisher is Amanda Smith. Headquartered in New York City, Fast Company is published by Mansueto Ventures LLC, along with our sister publication Inc., and can be found online at www.fastcompany.com.

KaiOS Media Contact

Eletta Leung / Sarah Collins
eletta.leung@kaiostech.com / scollins@hoffman.com (+1 206 423-6081)

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In 2019, we shifted our focus to building the KaiOS ecosystem with important additions like WhatsApp, localized apps and content, and further expansion into Africa, Southeast Asia, and Latin America.

Here are the highlights from the past year:

• KaiOS awards and achievements
• New KaiOS powered devices
• Exciting apps in the KaiStore
• Growing team
• Series B funding

KaiOS awards and achievements

We are honored and humbled by the recognition we received in 2019

TIME’s 100 Best inventions 2019

Each year, TIME releases a list of the 100 Best Inventions that highlights noteworthy inventions that make the world “better, smarter and even a little more fun.”

KaiOS was recognized in the Social Good category for making mobile internet more affordable and accessible to people around the world.

TIME stated: “About half the people in the world don’t have access to the Internet, which puts them at a disadvantage in business, education and other areas. KaiOS is working to bridge the digital divide with a lightweight mobile operating system that brings wi-fi, GPS, apps and other advanced features to affordable, nontouch phones.”

AfricaCom Changing Lives Award

We were thrilled that AfricaCom 2019 presented us with the Changing Lives Award. It is a great honor to receive an award designed to celebrate a product, initiative, or social enterprise that has demonstrated life-changing effects for individuals and/or communities within Africa.

Our work creating partnerships with mobile carriers, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), and developers led to affordable mobile devices and internet for millions in underserved areas throughout Africa.

Our mission has always been to improve the lives of people in emerging markets by bridging the digital divide, so we are especially proud of being recognized for our efforts.

“Hello from Tanzania! Brought over here from Vodacom’s Smart Kitochi launch so interested in the OS because it fills the niche I need. A smart feature rich phone is what is missing here in Tanzania! Nice touch on getting Xender + Google Maps, very popular here in Tanzania at the moment. I predict it will do very well here so keep up the good work!” – A Smart Kitochi user from Tanzania

GSMA 100

The GSMA 100 is “a global innovation discovery initiative designed to identify the world’s most promising growth-stage companies and advance the next generation of connectivity and digital services.” To be included alongside other organizations that are working towards global connectivity is an exciting honor.

China Mobile Innovation Competition: Best Terminal Solutions of the Year

In November 2019, KaiOS joined leaders in IT and mobile design during China Mobile Innovation Week. The event highlighted innovative work in mobile design from noteworthy companies in China and around the world.

During the mobile design content award ceremony, KaiOS was presented with a Swan Award, which is a prestigious award in China for mobile phones/solutions design. We were recognized in the Best Terminal Solutions of the Year category for our leadership in mobile solutions within our niche market.

United Nations presentation

We aim to contribute to UN Sustainable Development Goals by collaborating with government organizations and NGOs to make mobile devices and internet affordable and accessible to everyone.

This year, we’re invited to host a session at the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) where our CEO, Sebastien Codeville highlighted the benefits of mobile connectivity along with how the lack of internet puts many people in emerging areas at a significant disadvantage in many aspects of life in his presentation.

New KaiOS-powered devices

In 2017, we launched two KaiOS-enabled smart feature phones. By the end of 2019, we will have a total of 25 phones available around the world.

You can read the full list of KaiOS-enabled devices and the companies that manufacture them here. Below is an overview of the devices announced so far.

Over 100 million devices worldwide are now running KaiOS, and we continue to expand into new regions. Each device has its own noteworthy features for different markets, but they all come have mobile connectivity, WiFi, and access to key apps such as WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter, and a variety of apps in the KaiStore. While many KaiOS-powered devices are designed to provide an affordable way to get connected for the first time, others serve as a low-tech alternative for users who want a digital detox. The simple UI and hardware of KaiOS devices appeal to elderly users and the durable exterior of certain KaiOS phones make them ideal for rugged working conditions or outdoor sports. There is a KaiOS device for everyone.

Even tech-enthusiasts that normally use smartphones are impressed by the Go Flip 3. ZDnet writer, Matthew Miller noted that the Go Flip 3 “takes the experience to the next level thanks to the power of KaiOS providing Google Assistant, Google Maps, and an app store for basic applications.”

One KaiOS user said, “I’m in love with this OS. It’s perfect for someone who is addicted to smartphones, and wants to do something about it but can’t seem to be able to. With KaiOS, you basically still have a smartphone, but it eliminates the addiction problem of regular smartphones.”

“Congratulations for the great work, this is one of the best phones I’ve ever used.” – A Positivo P70S user from Brazil

Of course, these are just a few of the amazing devices running KaiOS. With 25 devices on the market, our smart feature phones continue to improve and reach new areas. Many OEMs and carriers have been so pleased with the market response that they have manufactured additional KaiOS-powered models. In 2019, we also saw promising expansion across the African continent as well as in key areas of Brazil, Pakistan, and Indonesia.

Exciting apps in the KaiStore

We have grown from 0 apps in 2017 to over 300 in 2019. While 2018 was focused on key partnerships that brought KaiOS users popular apps — such as Google Assistant, Facebook, and YouTube — 2019 brought a variety of new apps to the KaiStore. We’re especially proud of our work to expand the content ecosystem and bring more localized content to developing communities.

Life Initiative

Our educational app, Life, includes curated content in six categories: Digital Skills, Education, Health, Gender Equality, Agriculture, and Financial Education. These free resources are designed to give new users a jumpstart into the digital world and all it has to offer. It is officially launched now in several African countries, with more coming soon.

We developed the Digital Skills section based on GSMA’s Mobile Internet Skills Training Toolkit (MISTT) for our users who’re new to digital resources. The materials are designed to show the benefits of internet access, help the newly connected learn how to navigate the internet, understand data privacy, use social media, etc.

There is also a KaiOS-focused module that helps train frontline retail staff on key features of the operating system so that the staff can clearly explain the functionalities to end users.

There are additional content that help users do everything from improving their reading skills to finding new career opportunities. Our partnerships with Care, Cell-Ed, Esoko, Funzi, Girl Effect, iCow, Ubongo, Tambero, WeFarm, Worldreader, and many others have made this initiative a success. We look forward to adding more free resources in the future.

WhatsApp

WhatsApp is the most preferred messenger app in the world, with over 1.6 billion users globally as of 2019. Making this popular communications app available to our users marked a meaningful milestone for the KaiOS platform.

As of Q3 2019, WhatsApp was pre-installed on most KaiOS phones, but WhatsApp can now be downloaded or updated on any KaiOS-powered device from the KaiStore. Currently, WhatsApp is the most frequently downloaded and updated app on KaiOS devices.

UC Browser

UC Browser became the first third-party mobile browser available in the KaiStore which was developed by Alibaba’s UCWeb.

Bringing the most popular browser from Southeast Asia and India to the KaiOS platform was a big accomplishment. We were confident that many of our users would be happy to see UC Browser in the KaiStore. The browser is optimized particularly for KaiOS devices with a content platform that includes trending GIFs, articles, and videos from around the world.

Disney Content

This year, beloved Disney characters and stories from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, and Star Wars came to the KaiStore. Users in Vietnam, Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand and India will soon be able to download Disney wallpapers, e-books, and games on their devices, which are all optimized for the KaiOS platform. Once launched, users will be able to purchase Disney content using our in-house mobile payment solution, KaiPay.

Notable developer contributions

We strive to make developing for KaiOS accessible to both beginner and experienced developers around the world. With the help of free developer resources, including the KaiOS Developer Portal, creators have designed apps for the KaiStore with emerging markets in mind.

Christian Waadt supports financial inclusion with his app, K-Loan. The utilities app is an amortization calculator that can be used to track loans.

Valeriy Skachko helps women manage their personal health with his app, Period Tracker. The health app allows women to track their menstrual cycles.  Skachko now has an incredible 22 apps live in the KaiStore. Stay tuned for a blog post featuring this dedicated developer!

Developer resources and events

The official launch of the developer portal in 2019 made developing impactful content for KaiOS users accessible to developers from a variety of locations and at different experience levels.It is completely free to use. We do not charge fees for account registration, access to QA tools, or app storage because we wanted to create a low barrier for entry into our developer ecosystem.

This year, we took part in several events that centered around developers as well. We met with developers across Africa and spent time with aspiring developers to show them how they could leverage the KaiOS platform to monetize their skills.

KaiOS grew in so many ways this year. In addition to all of the above accomplishments and additions to our platform, our company and partnerships saw significant growth as well.

Growing team

Since 2018, we have doubled our staff from 150 team members up to 300 employees worldwide. We now have offices in Hong Kong, Xi’An, Shanghai, and Taipei, San Diego, Paris, and Bangalore.

We’re still recruiting for multiple positions around the globe. be sure to take a look at the career opportunities we have available.

Series B funding

In 2019, we secured $50 million in a Series B funding round led by  Cathay Innovation, a global venture capital fund that partners with companies that aim to drive change through technology. Orange participated in the funding round as well, further strengthening our partnership and mission to expand mobile connectivity in Africa.

Support from Cathay Innovation, along with existing shareholders TCL Holdings and Google, primes KaiOS for rapid growth in the coming year. This funding will facilitate our expansion into additional markets, fund further research, and allow us to provide more resources for the developer community.

Keep an eye on KaiOS in 2020

We are already gearing up for some exciting endeavors in 2020. Follow us on Twitter to stay up-to-date on all of our projects!

The post KaiOS 2019 year in review appeared first on KaiOS.

We recently partnered with industry leaders Indosat Ooredoo, Telenor, and QMobile to make mobile internet accessible in Indonesia and Pakistan. We also began working with new media and entertainment companies – including Disney and UC Browser – to bring more quality content to users of smart feature phones in the region.

Our efforts haven’t gone unnoticed  – we even won an award at this year’s China Mobile Innovation Competition for our contributions to the mobile industry.

And to better support our partners in the region, we’re continuing to grow our offices in Xi’An, Shanghai, Taipei, Hong Kong, and Bangalore.

Read more about these Asia updates below.

QMobile and Telenor launch Pakistan’s first KaiOS device

Pakistanis can now enjoy mobile internet and apps like WhatsApp, YouTube, and Google Maps on affordable smart feature phones. The $25 USD (Pakistan Rs. 4000) QMobile 4G Plus’ unmatched durability, long-lasting battery life, and three-month bundle with free internet make it an appealing model for those looking to upgrade from feature phones. Check out more information about the device here.

Indosat Ooredoo launches its first KaiOS-powered device in Indonesia

In celebration of its 52nd anniversary, Indosat Ooredoo, Indonesia’s leading digital telecommunications provider is launching its first smart feature phone, Hape Online. The new device comes with WhatsApp, Google Assistant, and 1GB of free data per month for a year. Read more about the launch.

Disney characters come to the KaiStore

Children’s favorite characters is available on KaiOS-powered phones in Vietnam as part of the wallpaper shop app in the KaiStore. More Disney content will be coming to Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand, and India soon. Find out more.

UC Browser now available for free on KaiOS

A browsing tool that’s also a content platform, the UC Browser, developed by Alibaba’s UCWeb, is now available on KaiOS. Read more about our partnership.

Kai wins award in China Mobile Innovation Competition

We won a Swan Award in the Best Terminal Solutions of the Year category in this year’s China Mobile Innovation Competition for our leadership in mobile solutions within our niche market.

Job openings in Kai’s Asia offices

We’re growing our offices in Hong Kong, Xi’An, Shanghai, Taipei, and Bangalore, and we’d love to have you joining. Check out our job openings.

The post Here’s what we’ve been doing in Asia appeared first on KaiOS.

KaiOS-powered smart feature phones bring smartphone-level features to inexpensive feature phone hardware, making vital digital resources like banking, healthcare, education, and communications more readily available. This is especially valuable in rural areas, where traditional internet connections are virtually nonexistent.

Kai is excited to announce several new devices and partnerships, all aimed at expanding access to smart feature phones, high-quality educational resources, and localized digital content.

Key regional partnerships

Vodacom, Azumi and MediaTek – Smart Kitochi

We’ve partnered alongside mobile powerhouses Vodacom, Azumi, and MediaTek to help eliminate the digital divide for millions of disconnected Tanzanians,by the Smart Kitochi, Tanzania’s first affordable smart feature phone. Packing smartphone-level features like 3G/4G, WiFi, and GPS, the Smart Kitochi costs $20 USD and has already surpassed all sales projections in its first two weeks of availability. Learn more about the Smart Kitochi here.

Orange and Intel – Sanza XL

Another exciting announcement, stemming from our continued partnership with Orange, is the Sanza XL, a 4G-enabled sequel to the original KaiOS-powered Sanza smart feature phone that includes a larger 2.8” screen and an improved 2 Megapixel camera. Manufactured by Intel, the Sanza XL will be available for $28 USD in seven countries in Africa and the Middle East: Botswana, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Egypt, Jordan, Mali, and Senegal. Learn more about the next generation of one of Africa’s most popular KaiOS-powered devices here.

Africell – Afriphone

Africell launched the first 3G smart feature phone in Gambia: the Afriphone. This KaiOS-powered device includes Wi-Fi, GPS, and NFC, and also enables users to access more than 200 apps via the KaiStore, including YouTube, WhatsApp, and Google Assistant. Afriphone will be the first KaiOS-powered device launched in the Gambia and Sierra Leone, and it will soon be available in Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo as well. Learn more about the Afriphone here.

Tigo – Kitochi 4G Smart

Expanding the reach of KaiOS-powered devices in Africa, Tigo and Kai have partnered to launch the Kitochi 4G Smart in Tanzania. Retailing for $21 USD, this affordable smart feature phone enables users to access smartphone-level apps, including WhatsApp, Google Assistant, and Facebook. This partnership is also a key step in connecting users in Eastern Africa, as KaiOS-powered devices have rolled out in Uganda, Rwanda, and now Tanzania. Read more about the Kitochi 4G Smart here.

Building a content ecosystem: In-house educational app now live in Africa

Life App

Delivering high-quality, localized educational resources covering Digital Skills, Education, Health, Gender Equality, Agriculture, and Finances, Kai’s in-house app Life for smart feature phones is now available in Africa. Kai collaborates with trusted groups and NGOs, including Funzi, Worldreader, Care, Girl Effect, Tambero, Esoko, Cell-Ed, We Farm, iCow, and Ubongo, to achieve greater impact together.

The most accessed section of Life is Digital Skills, which was developed in partnership with the GSMA to ensure that users learn proper digital literacy skills through the app. Kai and the GSMA also developed a new MISTT training module, equipping carrier partners to teach first-time smart feature phone users about KaiOS. Now available to KaiOS users in Nigeria, Uganda, Rwanda, and South Africa, Life will be available in more African countries soon. Learn more about Life’s educational resources here.

Press event: Tanzania’s first smart feature phone

Following the first year of smart feature phones in Africa, we held a joint press event alongside partners Vodacom, Azumi, and MediaTek to celebrate our newly forged partnership, and further highlight the Smart Kitochi, Tanzania’s first smart feature phone.

While onsite in Cape Town, Kai’s Vice President of Business Development for EMEA, Matthieu Bacquias, presented on the impact KaiOS has on the business model of telcos and how we address the modern challenges they face. Adapted for emerging markets, KaiOS’ unique ecosystem focuses on a simple user experience, delivering smartphone-level features in affordable devices. These features include support for 3G/4G internet connectivity, hotspot capabilities, and popular apps like Google Assistant, WhatsApp, and Facebook, all packed in an easy-to-use device which is designed with first time internet users in mind.

Matthieu also explored how the accessibility of KaiOS-powered smart feature phones helps telcos grow their revenue. These affordable devices enable carriers to reach an untapped customer base, and migrate legacy 2G plans to 3G/4G. In this way KaiOS has connected millions of people to the internet and aforementioned digital services for the first time, with more than 105 million devices in over 100 countries.

Finally, Matthieu spoke to KaiOS’ partnerships, which even aside from the KaiStore’s list of top-tier applications and developers, boasts a wide variety of industry leaders. In addition to carrier partners around the world, Kai works with organizations Funzi, Worldreader, Care, Girl Effect, Tambero, Esoko, Cell-Ed, and We Farm, to provide high-quality educational resources through the in-house Life app. These partnerships illustrate Kai’s commitment to delivering not only accessible devices, but also locally relevant content to enrich the lives of those accessing the internet for the first time.

KaiOS recognized with AfricaCom’s Changing Lives Award

What’s better for a perfect wrap up than a proud winner of the AfricaCom Award!

We’re pleased to announce AfricaCom Awards has honored KaiOS with, the Changing Lives Award which celebrates a product, initiative or social enterprise that has a life-changing impact on individuals or communities throughout Africa. We’ve forged partnerships with carriers, manufacturers and developers to help make internet access affordable and ubiquitous for the billions of people who are still unconnected, as well as giving them access to digital resources like education, health and financial services. We’re particularly proud of this recognition as it serves as a proof point to our dedication towards our mission of improving lives of those in the emerging markets by bridging the digital divide.

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Hong Kong, 4 February 2019 –The GSMA has named KaiOS Technologies to the ‘GSMA 100’, a global innovation discovery initiative designed to identify the world’s most promising growth-stage companies and advance the next generation of connectivity and digital services.

Kai is the maker of KaiOS, the leading mobile operating system for smart feature phones. Together with carriers and device makers from around the world, they’re bringing affordable feature phones to emerging markets to help bridge the digital divide.

“We are thrilled to be included in the ‘GSMA 100’ with other organizations who are working tirelessly towards global connectivity,” said Sebastien Codeville, Chief Executive Officer, KaiOS Technologies. “It’s our hope that we’ll achieve a more inclusive mobile ecosystem and that together we can close the digital divide in both emerging as well as established markets.”

“We welcome KaiOS Technologies to the GSMA 100. The GSMA 100 companies are leaders in categories that are poised to drive digital transformation and industry growth,” said Laxmi Akkaraju, Chief Strategy Officer, GSMA. “We look forward to working with Kai to unlock business development and investment opportunities and champion innovation in our industry.”

Kai joins the second cohort of the GSMA 100. This includes: AppOnBoard, Cinarra, Cloudify, CUJOAI, DefinedCrowd, Genus AI, Invisible Systems, IoTium, Jiminy, Limitless, Litmus Automation, Lumina Networks, Messagenius, SecureHome, UserTribe, Vilynx, and Zeotap.

KaiOS is based on HTML5 and other open web technologies. The mobile operating system supports 4G/LTE, as well as Wi-Fi, GPS, and NFC. The platform enables a new category of affordable smart feature phones that require limited memory, while still offering a rich user experience through services like Google Assistant, Facebook, Google Maps, YouTube, and Twitter.

The GSMA 100 represents the innovation priorities of mobile operators around the world. Companies are referred into the programme through investment and key partners. Contributors to the GSMA 100 to date include: include América Móvil, Blumberg Capital, British Telecom, China Mobile, Deutsche Telekom, EIT Digital, Etisalat, Telecom Italia, HV Holtzbrinck Ventures, KPN Ventures, MegaFon, MTN Group, Orange, Rogers Communications, Sony Innovation Fund, Telefónica, Telenor Group, Telstra Ventures, US Cellular and Vodafone, among others.

Follow the #GSMA100 hashtag on Twitter or visit: www.gsma100.com

About KaiOS Technologies

KaiOS Technologies powers an ecosystem of affordable digital products and services. Its flagship product, KaiOS, is the emerging mobile operating system for smart feature phones with more than 50 million active users in over 20 countries. Kai’s mission is to help close the digital divide by bringing mobile connectivity to the billions of people without internet in emerging markets, as well as providing those in established markets with an alternative to smartphones. KaiOS is based on HTML5 and other open web technologies. Devices running on the platform require limited memory, while still offering a rich user experience through access to apps like Google Assistant,  YouTube, Facebook, Google Maps, and Twitter.

About the GSMA

The GSMA represents the interests of mobile operators worldwide, uniting more than 750 operators with over 350 companies in the broader mobile ecosystem, including handset and device makers, software companies, equipment providers and internet companies, as well as organisations in adjacent industry sectors. The GSMA also produces the industry-leading MWC events held annually in Barcelona, Los Angeles and Shanghai, as well as the Mobile 360 Series of regional conferences.

For more information, please visit the GSMA corporate website at www.gsma.com. Follow the GSMA on Twitter: @GSMA.

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