Namibian Teenager Invents SIM-Free Mobile Phone Operating Without Airtime
Back in 2016, Simon Petrus, a Grade 12 student at Abraham Iyambo Senior Secondary School in Namibia’s Ohangwena Region, developed a mobile phone capable of making calls without a SIM card or airtime.
This innovative device utilizes radio frequencies for communication, eliminating the need for traditional network infrastructure and first of its kind.
His invention is going viral on social media and people are posting about where’s he now and where’s his device?
Petrus constructed this marvelous phone using components salvaged from a telephone and television set. The unique device features a radio system housed within a box, enabling voice calls and providing additional functionalities, including a working television, a light bulb, a fan, and charging ports for other devices making it the smartest phone ever built.
Even though the device is an absolute necessity, a 2022 article suggests that he’s still looking for a job or someone to take the project to the next level and is tired of waiting for this:
"I am not happy with how my prototype was treated by experts, as so no individual company came through and took the project to a certain stage. I expected this project to be somewhere in the world. I anticipated by now Namibians to use a phone without a SIM card," said Petrus.
While he awaits a miracle to happen, he also shared potential threats against him by saying:
“I saw many African inventors who went missing after they projected their ideas to the world.”
However, the phone operates on power supplied through an in-built radiator and it really works without a SIM card (yes a true cardless phone).
His project, which took two years to complete, was financed by Petrus’s unemployed parents, who invested approximately N$2,000 (around USD 147) to support their son’s endeavor.
In July 2016, Petrus showcased his invention at a regional school technology competition, earning first place for Abraham Iyambo Senior Secondary School.
He subsequently qualified for the national finals, where he was the reigning champion for his previous invention—a two-in-one machine that functions as both a seed dryer and cooler.
Petrus’s science teacher, Taimi Vatileni, highlighted that, despite being an average student overall, Simon excels in science subjects and has demonstrated remarkable ingenuity. She emphasized that his creations are the result of his own efforts, with support from teachers at the school.
This achievement underscores the potential of young African innovators to develop solutions that address local challenges and contribute to technological advancement for the better future of humanity.
