NYAGATARE — Internet users in rural areas may be able to get reliable connection after the launch of a new steady network connection from Artel Company. An official from Rwanda Development Board (RDB) Information Communication Technology (ICT) Directorate which in future is to take up the functions of Rwanda Information Technology Authority (RITA) confirmed the change from the MTN Wimax to Artel Vsat Internet connection. Alphonse Zigira, RITA’s Head of Rural Community Internet project, told The New Times that the change aims at enhancing Internet speed in rural areas. “We have already started to connect all Telecentres countrywide and hope to have steady internet connections with more users by the end of this month,” Zigira said recently. By that time, users are expected to have access to new changes set to offer the new quick internet service- which he said would be a dramatic change in rural cyber café usage. The government recently announced plans to construct a national broadband backbone by the end of this year, in which the fiber optic cable grid will be widely marketed. The government gave further details of its plan early this year and signed pact this month with Korean telecom firm to lay down such net connection cables all over the country. The government announced its intention to launch its broadband Internet optic fiber connection, at a time when it declared another license for any third telephone operator. And the new generation of mobile phones is also anticipated to allow broadband Internet access as well. Rwandatel already operates its fiber optic cable service in the most parts of Kigali City, while MTN has embarked on connections service beyond Rwanda borders. This new technology is expected to shape up between cable operators and other satellite Internet Service Providers (ISPs) over the open access to the new broadband system. Ends
