Following the sell-out of its affordable Steppa 1, MTN SA has launched the next device in its low-cost range, the Steppa Tablet.

Bundled with 200MB data for 12 months, the Steppa Tablet brings the Internet to students and learners, entrepreneurs on the go and consumers looking for an affordable, high-performance alternative to a PC or laptop.

“Access to e-mail, search functionality, online banking and all other benefits of mobile computing meet in the Steppa Tablet,” says Mike Fairon, GM: Products, Services and Innovation at MTN. “The tablet combines features and
affordability, and because it comes with a competitive data package, we continue delivering on our promise of delivering internet access to consumers.”

Ideal for consumers who want Internet and e-mail access, yet cannot afford a full-featured PC or notebook, the Steppa Tablet features a 7-inch 1024×600 pixel screen, the latest Android 4.4 (Kit Kat) operating system and 3 500mAh battery to keep the tablet powered for longer.

“Small business owners, particularly those with mobile operations, will really benefit from the freedom of a lightweight tablet that allows them to manage their business on the road,” says Fairon.

A Qualcomm Snapdragon 200 processor powers the Steppa Tablet, designed to deliver a balance of performance, robust connectivity and better battery life. Qualcomm Snapdragon is a product of Qualcomm Technologies, Inc., a
wholly owned subsidiary of Qualcomm Incorporated.

When the battery does need recharging, Qualcomm Quick Charge 1.0 maximises the power delivered to the devices’ battery, charging up to 40% faster than devices without Quick Charge 1.0.

The Steppa Tablet comes with an impressive list of built-in apps, allowing users to keep up with news, entertainment and sport, maintain social profiles on Facebook and Twitter, stay in touch with contacts via popular messaging services like WhatsApp, download games, search online via Google search, browse videos on YouTube and navigate with Google Maps.

“On the Steppa tablet is a dictionary, Wikipedia and the Amazon Kindle app built in, which makes it a great education tool for schoolchildren and students who need access to online learning materials,” says Fairon. “Users can read free books on their tablet, buy books instantly, research any topic they are reading about and download additional education-related apps from the Google Play Store.”

The Steppa tablet is based on a Qualcomm Reference Design, a programme of Qualcomm Technologies.

The Qualcomm Reference Design program offers Qualcomm Technologies’ leading technical innovation, easy customisation options, and Qualcomm Global Pass, which features regional software packages, modem configurations, testing and acceptance readiness for regional operator requirements, and access to a broad ecosystem of hardware component vendors and software application developers.

Under the QRD programme, customers can rapidly deliver differentiated smartphones to value-conscious consumers. There have been more than 525 public QRD-based product launches to date in collaboration with more than 40 OEMs in 21 countries.

“Qualcomm Technologies’ QRD programme enabled MTN to bring the Steppa tablet to consumers faster, with more features, at a lower cost,” says Fairon. “The end-user ultimately benefits as they have access to a better-quality tablet which means access to information, to mobile computing and to mobile communication, at a price-point that is affordable.”

The Steppa Tablet is available at selected retail stores from end-November, for R999 on MTN’s prepaid price plans.