Mobile public pay phone vendors usually referred to as Tuvugane, the name of the brand of the product they sell, have been directed off the streets. The police has asked them to operate in booths. The move comes after Business Communication Solution (BCS), MTN and Kigali City Council (KCC) agreed that the vendors be stationed in one place.

The three agreed the vendors could be posing a security threat and also litter the environment. Business Communication Solution together with MTN operate GSM services in Rwanda.

"It was an understanding among MTN, BCS and KCC to have the vendors stationed’” said Jack Gasana Tuvugane Division Manager.

But there are fears that vendors may loose jobs and telecommunication companies may lose revenues. It could also break the flexibility of accessing airtime and making phone calls through public means. Already some vendors have been affected by the cost of operating from one locality.

"Revenues have declined because of limited access to clients. Getting Frw1500 daily is by luck,” said one of the vendors in Giporoso, Remera a city suburb.

The Tuvugane per second billing was launched in April 2004. At least 4,000 payphones operators use this service and they buy airtime from MTN.

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