Vodafone Ghana has launched a device called Vodafone Webbox, which is an intelligent keyboard that allows users to access the internet through their television sets in the comfort of their homes, offices and schools. This is another industry first from Vodafone Ghana after going ahead of market leader MTN Ghana to launch Samsung Galaxy and being the first to introduce BlackBerry Torch in Ghana. Head of Corporate Communications at Vodafone Ghana Carmen Bruce-Annan told Adom News the Webbox was developed exclusively for Vodafone consumers in emerging markets to bridge the digital divide by providing affordable, ready internet access at home, school or in the workplace. “What we are offering our consumers is a very versatile and affordable product that features an extensive archive of materials for the benefit of Ghanaians and bringing the internet to the TV at home for the family, in schools for education or in small businesses to assist local economic growth,” she said. She said Webbox was a product that offered endless opportunities and delivers the Vodafone brand promise of empowering consumers to reach their full potential. Mrs. Bruce-Annan observed that internet penetration in Ghana now stood at five per cent because very few Ghanaians could own computers and the necessary accessories for internet access, but almost every home owned a television. She said the introduction of the Webbox was Vodafone’s response to the use of television as a medium to deliver internet services to Ghanaians including those in the rural communities who have access to TV but not computers and Laptops and who are within the Vodafone network coverage areas. “This unique device is only GHC169 and allows the customer to navigate easily between the core services such as Opera Mini 5.1 internet access, SMS and email messaging, internet search and media services including FM radio and a photo and video gallery, as well as video and music players. “Vodafone has therefore satisfied its customers needs by providing an innovative all-in one product with great value that also offers the family an exciting experience due to its use on a standard TV set,” she said. She said it is also suitable for businesses, aids in training, for business presentations among other data services. “The Opera Mini browser runs over the 2.5G and EDGE mobile networks, compressing data by around 90% and so serving fast-loading internet pages,” Mrs. Bruce-Annan said. The browser homepage comes with bookmarks such as news, sport and social networking sites as well as locally relevant applications such as a job search and application service. In addition, the portal comes with some games, a dictionary and a basic text editor. The Webbox is a Vodafone concept and design, and is developed and manufactured exclusively for Vodafone with partner ZTE of China. Vodafone Webbox was first launched at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona Spain and has since been launched in South Africa, but Ghana is the first country in West Africa to have the device. Story by Samuel Nii Narku Dowuona/Adom News/Ghana