- Rwanda’s 4G LTE Network Completed after Three and a Half Years
- Landmark Project for Smart Africa toward the 4th Industrial Revolution
- Africa’s Model for Public-Private Partnership & Regional Cooperation
SEOUL, South Korea (May 14, 2018) – KT Corp.(KRX: 030200, NYSE: KT) has completed the construction of Rwanda’s nationwide LTE network, the first in Africa by Korea’s top mobile carrier, as part of its efforts to boost global exports in the field of information and communications technology (ICT).
KT announced today that it celebrated the completion of Rwanda’s 4G LTE network at the Transform Africa Summit 2018, Africa’s largest ICT conference, which was held May 7-10 in the Rwandan capital, Kigali.
Addressing the summit on the landmark project, Yun Kyoung-Lim, President of KT Global Business Office, said that its completion represents a momentous stride in realizing `Smart Rwanda’ and the country’s Fourth Industrial Revolution.
“This successful project will also help KT expand its cooperation in ICT throughout Africa and in the world,” Yun said.
High-ranking officials from some 10 African countries, including Jean de Dieu Rurangirwa, Rwanda's minister of information technology and communication, and Maria do Rosario Braganca Sambo, the Angolan minister of higher education, science, technology and innovation, joined the celebration.
With the completion of Africa’s first nationwide LTE network, 95 percent of the Rwandan people now have access to high-speed wireless broadband service. Rwanda has a population of about 12 million and 8.6 million people subscribe to mobile services, of which 1.15 million use smartphones.
The Rwandan government expects the faster mobile communication network will help improve the quality of life of the Rwandan people. The nationwide 4G coverage has been completed in three and a half years since KT Rwanda Networks (KTRN), a joint venture between KT and the Rwandan government, launched commercial services from Kigali in November 2014.
Minister Rurangirwa called the network a splendid feat jointly achieved by KT and the Rwandan government. “Our government will continue to offer all possible support so that the network will improve the quality of people’s lives in many ways.”
KTRN has drawn attention as an outstanding example of public-private partnership. KT expects it will serve as a springboard for increased cooperation with other African countries, including Nigeria, South Africa, Malawi, Benin and Senegal.
Rwanda has hosted the Transform Africa Summit, organized by the Smart Africa Alliance, since 2013. This year’s summit, held at the Kigali Convention Center, drew the participation of 4,000 people, including the heads of state, cabinet ministers and project leaders from 54 countries.
Under the theme of 'Accelerating Africa’s Single Digital Market,' the summit comprised ministerial-level round table talks and forums on public-private partnership.