Telecom service provider, Vodafone has launched its new solar powered mobile phone, VF 247 in the Indian market.

The VF 247 will be the first solar powered phone from the company and will attract those who intend to reduce energy consumption for environmental reasons and also masses in the rural areas where the electric supply is unreliable.

The VF 247 is expected to hit the Indian market next month. The phone need not be charged as it charges itself when exposed to sunlight. It is capable of charging itself even inside rooms with the support of its custom built hardware and software component called Sun Boost.

The phone runs for eight days after a full charge and gives a talk time of four hours. Along with standard features the phone will offer FM radio, color screen and a powerful touch screen. The launch of VF 247 comes after Samsung launched its own solar powered phone called Guru 1107.

The phone targeted at India's huge rural mobile phone market is expected to be priced at around Rs.1500.

Meanwhile, Vodafone Essar Limited has said that it will launch its 3G mobile services by end-2010 and the servive offering will be extended by the first quarter of next year.