Telecoms news from Rwanda

Rwandan Mobile Customer Base Passes 6 Million Mark

Rwanda's telecoms regulator has announced that the country's mobile phone customer base passed the 6 million mark earlier this year. ...more.

Rwanda to Disconnect Unregistered SIM Cards in August

Rwanda's telecoms regulator has warned that unregistered SIM cards will be disconnected if the users identity is not provided to the mobile networks by the end of this July. ...more.

Rwandan Government to Deploy Wholesale LTE Network

The Rwandan government -- through the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) -- and South Korea's KT Corp have announced a joint venture to deploy a LTE network in the country. ...more.

Rwanda to Start Registering SIM Card user IDs from next February

Rwanda's telecoms regulator, RURA has announced that the mobile networks will have to start collecting customer ID documents for their existing prepay customers from the start of February 2013. ...more.

USAID Partners with Cherie Blair and Millicom to Support Women Entrepreneurs

The mobile network operator, Millicom is to deploy mobile money services for women entrepreneurs throughout Tanzania, Rwanda and Ghana. ...more.

Rwanda to Block Counterfeit Phones from Mobile Networks

Rwanda's telecoms regulator, RURA has said that the country may follow Kenya's lead and issue an order to the mobile networks to block the use of counterfeit mobile phones. ...more.

MTN Rwanda Faces Daily Fines for Missing Network Quality Standards

MTN's Rwandan subsidiary has refuted claims by the regulator that its network is failing Quality of Service tests, but says that it will be upgrading its network in the reportedly affected areas. ...more.

Airtel to invest $100 million in Rwanda

Bharti Airtel has committed to investing US$100 million in its Rwandan subsidiary over the next three years. The announcement was made during a country visit by the Group's CEO, Manoj Kohli. ...more.

Rwandan Government to Hand out Free Phones to Improve Disaster Communications

Rwanda's Ministry of Disaster and Refugee Management (Midimar) has started handing out mobile phones to sector leaders to assist with communications during disasters. ...more.

Airtel Picks Up Rwandatel's Tower Assets

Bharti Airtel's African arm is reported to have bought the tower network infrastructure owned by Rwanda's bankrupt Rwandatel. ...more.

MTN Group Buys 25% Stake in Rwandan Subsidiary

South Africa's MTN Group has increased its stake in MTN Rwanda by a further 25% to take its holding to 80%. ...more.

Bharti Airtel Granted 3G License in Rwanda

India's Bharti Airtel has announced that it has been awarded a GSM and 3G license in Rwanda, expanding its African continental footprint to 17 countries. ...more.

Augere to Launch WiMAX Network in Rwanda

WiMAX network operator, Augere has announced that it will launch its Qubee branded fixed wireless service in Rwanda in late November. ...more.

Rwandatel to Meet Creditors Following Court Ordered Liquidation

Rwandan telco, Rwandatel has confirmed that it will be meeting with its creditors after a local court ordered the company to liquidate its assets to repay debts. ...more.

MTN Supports Moves for Stock Market Listing of Rwanda Subsidiary

South Africa's MTN has said that it will support plans by the Rwandan government to float its 10 percent stake in MTN Rwanda onto the local stock market, ending speculation that MTN might try to buy the stake instead. ...more.

Half a Million Rwandans Face Cell Phone Disconnection this Week

The Rwanda Utilities Regulatory Authority (RURA) has cancelled the mobile network operating license held by Rwandatel for allegedly failing to meet its license conditions. ...more.

MTN Abolishes Roaming Charges Across Five Countries

South Africa based MTN has launched borderless roaming across five countries where it has subsidiaries - Botswana, Rwanda, Uganda, Swaziland and Zambia. ...more.

Rwandan Government Looking to Sell Stake in MTN Rwanda

The Rwandan government is reported to be planning a stock market floatation of its stake in MTN Rwanda later this year. ...more.

Rwandan Networks in Dispute over Unpaid Interconnection Fees

MTN Rwandacell has expressed concerns over delays by rival network operator, Rwandatel to pay what it claims is an outstanding debt accrued from interconnection fees. ...more.

Rwanda Scraps Tax on Phones - Raises it on Airtime

The Rwandan government has announced plans to scrap sales taxes (VAT) on mobile phones, although that was then offset by a rise in the excise duty on airtime from 5 to 8 percent. ...more.