MTN Rwanda has started the final phase of its massive network modernisation and transformation plan aimed at ensuring seamless data quality and delivering the best customer experience across the country.
Mohamad Kiwan, the MTN chief technology and information officer, said the telecom firm’s network transformation plan started with modernisation and expansion of the mobile network for voice during the last quarter of 2017.
“Preparations to start on data modernisation have been ongoing and, starting today, March 29, we shall begin the final phase of data migration from the old network capacity to the new network capacity for Kigali, which will be complete in the second week of May. This will allow us to be ready for the growing demand on the market,” he said in a statement.
MTN has invested $20 million on the U900 project that will enhance 3G coverage, data volume and improved data speeds using the 900 MHz spectrum.
A total of 272 sites in Kigali will be upgraded with new equipment using the new U900 technology for 3G, Kiwan said. He explained that modernising the network with future proof technology is to accommodate the increasing number of smartphone users and meet the demand of new services and applications. The existing equipment will be replacing that with new equipment with double the capacity of the current network, according the telecom firm.
“During this period, however, there will be some degradation in the quality of service in some areas where the migration is ongoing. We highly appreciate the patience of our customers during this process as we endeavour to improve on the quality of service for our esteemed customers with greater and better data speeds on 3G,” Kiwan said.
MTN is committed to accomplishing this goal within six weeks for customers to enjoy flawless 3G speeds and the “highest quality of service”.
Rwanda Stock Exchange launches platform for SMEs
Rwanda Stock Exchange (RSE) has launched its second securities platform that is targeting small-and-medium businesses. The Small-and-Medium Enterprise Segment (SMEMs) seeks to give SMEs and other corporate companies access to capital market to raise development finance.
Already, over 10 SMEs and other corporates from different sectors of the economy, including ICT, agribusiness, and manufacturing have signed a memorandum of understanding with RSE, under which they will draw roadmap to prepare them listing on exchange’s alternative market segment to raise investment capital, according to Pierre-Celestin Rwabukumba, RSE chief executive officer, said during the SME listing forum this morning. The event was held under the theme, “Accelerating access to long-term capital for small-and-medium enterprise and other corporates to grow their business”.
While launching the platform, Amb Clavier Gatete, the Minister of Finance, said access to funding is one of big challenges faced by SMEs. He, however, said that Government will continue supporting relevant programmes by stakeholders geared towards boosting prospects of the SME sector, especially access to funds.
The launch of the SME market segment was the climax of two-month “Access and grow” campaign by RSE to encourage small businesses and corporate firms to come to the market to access affordable development funding. The event in Kigali was conducted by RSE in partnership with the Private Sector Federation (PSF) and United States Agency for International Development (USAID). Speaking at the launch, Rwabukumba said they would facilitate SMEs to obtain the requisite information on the necessary steps and processes needed for them to access funding through the new platform of the capital market.
He said the just-ended campaign indicated huge potential among SMEs across all sectors of the economy. USAID director office of economic growth Malik Haidara said the move would harness the potential of the SME sector and support efforts geared toward developing Rwanda’s economy, which is “one of the fastest growing in Africa”. Haidara added that “linking the local capital markets with SMEs is a very practical pathway of developing Rwanda’s economy”.