Long Wait Over as Rwanda Unveils 4G LTE Internet, Reports KT Press

KIGALI, Rwanda, Nov. 13, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The speeches have ended. The promise of fastest broadband is a thing of the past. Rwandans impatiently waited for the fourth Generation Long-Term Evolution (4G-LTE), high speed internet for years, until Tuesday, Nov. 11.

Rwanda's ICT Minister, Jean Philbert Nsengimana, pressed the red button, launching 4G-LTE and waiving 'Au-Revoir' to 3G, marking the start of yet another step towards Rwanda's plan to transform from agrarian to technology-led economy.

4G-LTE is a wireless communications standard with improved download and upload speeds. It supports over five times data capacity of up to 100Mbps of speed. 3.75G will remain on market, though less than 20% of the population use it.

Utilities Regulatory Authority Director General, Patrick Nyirishema, said 4G-LTE adds an important element to the technology landscape of the country.

"Whatever benefits citizens were receiving due to ICT development in the country, will now increase in terms of speed and efficiency," he said.

Minister Nsengimana said deployment of high-speed connectivity will accelerate Rwanda's economic growth, facilitate business, create jobs, and accelerate social and economic progress.

Every 10% increase in broadband penetration, increases GDP by 1%, he said. ICT accounts for 3% of Rwanda's GDP. With the launch of 4G, it is projected to increase to 4% next year.

Peter Jeon, Olleh Rwanda Networks CEO, a joint venture company between Rwanda and Korea Telecom, is running both the $130 million infrastructure and connectivity sales. Nokia Networks has been contracted to commercialize the system.

Jeon said the same technology was tried in Russia, South-Africa and Kazakhstan a few years ago, but failed.

"We are glad it is a success in Rwanda," he said. Connectivity will be sold to Internet Service providers and Mobile Operators on wholesale, who will then sell it on retail. For example MTN Rwanda will sell 1GB of internet package at $6. Olleh Rwanda said the model's success will be exported across the continent.  

The excitement over high speed internet is rooted from the country's past experiences. 15 years ago, institutions used only 10mb speed. With 4G LTE, one gets up to 7GB per day.

Claire Akamanzi, Rwanda Development Board-COO, said 4GLTE will lower the cost of doing business and support innovation. Rwanda intends to increase internet usage to 95% by 2017; boosting the country's competitiveness in East Africa.

Media Contact:

Patrick Bigabo
KTPress
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SOURCE KT Press