Airtel Ghana in collaboration with Apple Inc., makers of the iPhone range of smartphones, have launched the iPhone 5S on the Airtel network with free data, talk time and SMS credit.

This makes Airtel the first telecoms company in Ghana to stock the iPhone 5s handset.

The Manager in charge of Data at Airtel Ghana, Kwadwo Okyere Amoako said customers who buy the iPhone 5S from Airtel gets  a juicy package which includes 1GB data plus 100 minutes free airtime to call all local networks, 1000 SMS for free every month for 6 months after purchase.

He said the phone also comes with a one year Apple warranty and the superior network quality and experience one gets for being on the Airtel network.

“A smartphone of this nature is best used on the smartest network; our 3.75G network - the fastest and widest in Ghana – so you can enjoy all the multimedia services on your iPhone 5S on Airtel. You can make clearer calls, watch live TV, access high speed internet and enjoy live streaming at never before speeds”, he stated.

The Marketing Director of Airtel Ghana, Manu Rajan also explained that Airtel believed in offering the best products and services to its cherished customers. “We therefore go to great lengths to partner with world class service and product leaders to ensure highest levels of service and latest generation technology”, he added.

Marian Addo-Kufuor, representative of Core Group Africa, the official distributor of Apple products in Ghana at the launch said: “We are delighted to partner with Airtel to bring the many benefits of Apple’s iPhone 5s to its customers. We will be supporting Airtel in its everyday mission by bringing the latest products and services to the market.”

Drew Murray, Director for Business Development at GMEA and the iShop @ Accra Mall which is the only Apple Authorised Reseller in Ghana, on his part disclosed that Customers buying their phones at an Airtel outlet will have access to the same preferred service level as customers buying their phones from the iShop. “As the ONLY authorised partner for Apple Service in Ghana, iShop will offer Airtel iPhone users access to the skills of AppleCertified technicians and a guarantee of genuine Apple parts”, he added.

He further explained that Airtel customers get a free device set-up and update for all iPhones purchased through Airtel outlets. Customers also will enjoy a 10% flat discount on wide range of accessories from selected brands, valid till end of July 2014.

The iPhone 5s is Apple's current flagship phone which is a revised version of its predecessor, iPhone 5 and sports a new home button design using a laser-cut sapphire cover surrounded by a metallic ring, Touch ID, a fingerprint recognition system built directly into the home button, an updated camera with a larger aperture and a dual-LED flash optimized for different color temperatures, a A7 dual-core processor, and the first 64-bit processor to be used on a smartphone among others.

The iPhone 5s allows easy, wireless access to email, phone, calendar, web, multimedia and other business and lifestyle applications.