MTN Rwanda network transformation enters final phase
from PHYLLIS BIRORI in Kigali, Rwanda
KIGALI, (CAJ News) – MTN Rwanda has announced the final phase of its multimillion-dollar network modernisation and transformation plan aimed at ensuring seamless data quality and best customer experience across the country.
Mohamad Kiwan, MTN’s Chief Technology and Information Officer, said the MTN Network Transformation plan began with modernisation and expanding the mobile network for voice as of the last quarter of 2017.
Preparations to start on data modernization have been ongoing and starting Thursday (March 29), the company shall begin the final phase of data migration from the old network capacity to the new network capacity for the capital Kigali, which would be complete in the second week of May.
“This will allow us to be ready for the growing demand on the market,” Kiwan said.
MTN has invested $20 million (RwF17,4 billion) on the U900 project that will enhance 3G coverage, data volume and improved data speeds using the 900 MHz spectrum.
Some 272 sites in will be upgraded with new equipment using the new U900 technology for 3G.
Modernising the network with future proof technology is to accommodate the increasing number of smartphone users and meet the demand of new services and applications.
Implementing this technology involves many activities, which includes removing old existing equipment and replacing that with new equipment with double the capacity of the current network.
Kiwan said nonetheless, during this period, there would be some degradation in the quality of service in some areas where the migration is ongoing.
“We highly appreciate the patience of our customers during this process as we endeavour to improve on the quality of service for our esteemed customers with greater and better data speeds on 3G.”
MTN Rwanda, which has over 3,5 million subscribers, aims to complete the exercise in six weeks.
– CAJ News
