MTN, Airtel launch 4G in Rwanda

Rwandan telecom operators MTN and Airtel have launched 4G LTE networks. The launches come after both telcos' operating licenses were amended, allowing them to roll out 4G technology.

The launches over the weekend follow the Rwandan government's decision in February 2023 to remove exclusivity in the 4G infrastructure market held by Korea Telecom Rwanda Networks (KTRN) since 2013.

The telcos were previously only able to offer LTE-based services using the infrastructure of wholesale provider KTRN.

During MTN Group's 2022 integrated report in April 2023, the telco announced that it would be launching its own 4G mobile network in the country.

Airtel first to launch 4G

To increase the number of Rwandans accessing affordable and reliable Internet, Airtel Rwanda said its 4G Internet will automatically replace its 3G network.

"The launch of 4G Internet will be [twice as cheap as] the cost of the current market price for Internet, and the target is to reach a coverage of 99% of the country," said Airtel Rwanda CEO Emmanuel Hamez during the 4G launch over the weekend.

"This is now competition, the price has dropped, and we want to scale up 4G as an important step to responding to the issue of affordability and reliability," he added.

The new 4G service settings will enable customers to quickly transition from 3G to 4G with the simplicity of similar plans they are familiar with, Hamez continued.

MTN follows suit

Also over the weekend, MTN Rwanda upgraded its network to enable its 4G LTE connectivity, which the telco said will guarantee a seamless customer experience.

"By launching the next generation 4G LTE technology, we are not only investing in the network, but we are also, and most importantly, investing in leading digital solutions for Rwanda's progress," said MTN Rwanda CEO Mapula Bodibe.

As a commitment to providing its customers with quality network connectivity and digital experience, the telco said it would invest more than 26 billion Rwandan Francs (US$22 million) in network infrastructure modernization.

Moreover, the telco added that subscribers can use their 4G bundles at the same price as their 3G bundles. There will be no extra charge to customers accessing 4G services.

MTN Rwanda subscribers can use their 4G bundles at the same price as their 3G bundles.( Source: warrenski on Flickr CC 2.0.)

Rwanda's mobile mix

The two telcos rolling out 4G is a significant milestone in the country's telecommunications industry.

According to statistics from market research company Omdia, a sister company of Connecting Africa, MTN Rwanda had almost 7 million mobile subscribers in Rwanda at the end of the first quarter of 2023.

Omdia found that over the same period only about 7.5% of MTN Rwanda's users were using 4G, compared to about 70% using 3G and over 22% still on 2G.

Airtel Rwanda on the other hand had an almost 4 million mobile subscribers at the end of March 2023. Of those, only 5% were 4G users, with the vast majority – 69.5% of subscribers – still using 2G, and 25% using 3G.

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*Top image source: jbdodane on Flickr CC 2.0