Tigo has registered a significant rise in its subscriber base from 123,897 in January, to 272,192 by March.

Tigo, Rwanda’s third national telecom operator attributed the increase to the company’s affordable tariffs across for both local and international calls.

Tigo’s publicist and Corporate Social Responsibility CSR Coordinator, Saad Ngabo, told Business Times that the company is increasing its coverage to meet the high demand of their services.

"We offer the most attractive promotions on the market, where customers can talk for as low as Rwf10 per minute  and Rwf1/Short Message Service (SMS),” Ngabo explained.

He also added that a Tigo SIM card goes for Rwf500 inclusive of Rwf300 airtime. Ngabo also revealed that the operator’s 3.5G data Internet platform has already connected over 8,000 subscribers.

"Subscribers enjoy a daily plan at Rwf2000, weekly plans at Rwf10,000 and various monthly plans that are suitable for heavy users,” he said.

He added that the company is working tirelessly to meet the target of covering the whole of Rwanda.

The Tigo network currently covers more than 13 districts, with 9 of them mounted with Tigo sites. Management believes that by 2011, the entire Rwanda will be covered with its network.

Rwanda’s Utility and Regulatory Agency (RURA) is seeking to issue a fourth licence by the end of this year. But according to the regulator’s policy, Tigo, the third operator has to first acquire about 300,000 subscribers then the bidding process for another operator will be issued out.

Rwanda expects to hit 6 million subscribers by 2015.  RURA, which is the national telecom regulator, says that they are pushing for affordable handsets from the operators.

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