Nokia Networks to commercialise Rwanda’s new 4G LTE Internet

Nokia Networks has been contracted to commercialize Rwanda’s $130 million infrastructure for fourth Generation Long-Term Evolution (4G-LTE) system.

This was revealed November 13th, 2014 at the launch of Rwanda’s 4G-LTE marking the start of another step towards county’s plan to transform from agrarian to technology-led economy. The launch ceremony was presided over by Rwanda’s ICT Minister, Jean Philbert Nsengimana, a release by Rwanda’s based KT Press announced.

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.

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.

Rwanda’s Utilities Regulatory Authority Director General, Patrick Nyirishema, said 4G-LTE adds an important element to the technology landscape of the country. “Whatever benefits citizens we are receiving due to ICT development in the country, will now increase in terms of speed and efficiency,” he said.

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. 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 and added that, “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.

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