Rwandatel to slash broadband charges

Rwandatel is set to announce new charges on data and internet. The move will lead to a cut in the prices for end users. The move by Rwanda’s leading Internet Service Provider (ISP) is stimulated by the increased availability of rapid internet connection and data brought about by the company’s connection to various undersea fibre optic cables “This is a direct response to the growing data and internet market in the country, which makes sense to reduce the cost to make it easily accessible, after achieving redundancy,” Francis Egbuson, Rwandatel’s Chief Commercial officer (CCO) said. Speaking at a corporate breakfast between the operator’s top management and NGOs, Egbuson announced that the bandwidth fares had been revised, adding that the new tariffs would be approved very soon. He however, declined to reveal when and by what percentage the fares will be reduced. Rwandatel is also set to introduce the new high-speed WiMax USB modem, which according management will be available before the end of this year. WiMax is a wireless digital communications system, also known as IEEE 802.16 that is intended for wireless “metropolitan area networks”. The new technology will provide Broadband Wireless Access (BWA) up to 30 miles (50 km) for fixed stations, and 3 - 10 miles (5 - 15 km) for mobile stations. Rwanda remains one of the highly concentrated data and internet network charging countries within the region after the landing of the SEACOM, TEAMs and EASSY Fibre Optic cables. Currently, Rwandatel can offer a back-up capacity from two additional suppliers (74 Mb from one supplier and 140 Mb from the other) bringing Rwandatel’s total capacity on satellite to 214 Mb which is 26 percent above its monthly utilisation. The CCO explained that corporate breakfasts help the operator’s clients to have direct contacts with the relevant managers, in addition to their account managers. “We are pleased with the quality of the attendance and progress made as well as feedback that these meetings bring to the service provider and clients,” adding that the meetings gives senior management first-hand information on issues on the ground. Ends

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Rwandatel to slash broadband charges