Airtel supports access to mobile phones campaign

With the number of mobile phone subscribers in Rwanda expected to shoot to seven million by January, Airtel has moved in to boost the realisation of this target by giving out free mobile phones under the ‘Birahebuje’ promotion.

Sunday, December 01, 2013

With the number of mobile phone subscribers in Rwanda expected to shoot to seven million by January, Airtel has moved in to boost the realisation of this target by giving out free mobile phones under the ‘Birahebuje’ promotion.The drive that aims at promoting access to mobile phones will see the telecom firm give away 10 free handsets weekly, among other prizes. "For Rwandans to have financial inclusion and access to quick and reliable Internet, we need to set the platform by providing them phones. It‘s these devices that will help to enjoy our services,” said Marcellin Paluku, the Airtel Rwanda managing director.October statistics from Rwanda Utilities Regulatory Agency (Rura) show that 63.7 per cent of the population has access to a mobile phone.The figures show that mobile telephone penetration increased from 5.9 million subscribers (55.1 per cent) in January to 6.7m or 63.7 per cent in September.Apart from the free phones, other subscribers won scholarships, shopping vouchers, cows and return air tickets from RwandAir. The promotion ends early next year.