News
MTN Delivers AVG Mobile Security to South African Subscribers
March 2014 by Marc Jacob
AVG Technologies N.V. announced that a multi-national telecommunications provider, MTN, is providing AVG™AntiVirus PRO for Android™ to MTN subscribers in South Africa. AVG’s security software app is preloaded on the MTN Steppa, an innovative new entry-level smartphone priced competitively and offering a custom selection of built-in apps.
Although just launched, the device has already been extremely popular with South African subscribers; for some, it is their first smartphone. The MTN Steppa is based on a Qualcomm Reference Design,powered by a Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ processor, a product of Qualcomm Technologies, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Qualcomm Incorporated. According to Qualcomm, the Qualcomm Reference Design program offers Qualcomm Technologies’ leading technical innovation, easy customization options, the QRD Global Enablement Solution 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 program, customers can rapidly deliver differentiated smartphones to value-conscious consumers. There have been more than 390 public QRD-based product launches to date in 18 countries in collaboration with more than 40 OEMs.
“It is impossible to ignore the increasing reliance on smartphones in our daily lives and we are always striving to improve the service we offer our customers,” said Mike Fairon – GM product and solutions, MTN. “This deal provides a seamless integration of mobile security into the design process, meaning that we are able to deliver a more desirable product to our customers and give them the option to enjoy their devices safely and to the fullest extent from the moment they activate them.”
“In having our mobile security pre-loaded onto Qualcomm Reference Design handsets, we offer real added value to a major telecommunications service provider like MTN. In line with our goal to put people in control of their connected lives, providing AVG’s mobile security app on the MTN Steppa gives their customers choice and flexibility in managing the security and privacy of their new smartphones,” said David Ferguson, General Manager Consumer & Mobile, AVG Technologies. “We are really excited about the ongoing development of our relationship with MTN South Africa and the future opportunities to work together.”
AVG Technologies portfolio of Android security applications are used by millions of users worldwide. AVG™AntiVirus FREE for Android and AVG AntiVirus PRO for Android protect against mobile viruses, malware and phishing attacks; AVG PrivacyFix™ for Androidhelps people keep their personal information safe; and AVG’s performance apps such as AVG Battery Saver & TuneUpand AVG Uninstaller help to de-clutter smartphones and keep them running fast.
AVG’s flagship mobile security application, AVG AntiVirus FREE for Android™, recently surpassed the 100 million download markon Google Play, the first time this has been achieved by any security application.
