Telecommunications
The operation of telecommunication services in Rwanda is controlled by the Rwanda Utilities Regulatory Authority (RURA). The telecommunications network in Rwanda, particularly for mobile phones, covers most parts of the country with three main players in the market.
Mobile telephone coverage is provided by, MTN Rwanda cell and Airtel Rwanda LTD who all offer prepaid and post-paid services. Mobile phone SIM cards are readily available at the Service provider shop. For all two companies, roaming facilities are provided in many countries. Roaming charges are applied.
Landline telephone services are provided by Liquid Telecom, a subsidiary company of Econet Wireless Group based in South Africa. Econet Wireless acquired the assets and businesses from Rwanda Tel which had previously been the biggest landline line service provider in the country. Additionally, MTN Rwanda cell, Airtel Rwanda LTD and BSC offer fixed Telephone services.
For more information on Rwanda Telecommunications, please see the Rwanda Utilities Regulatory Authority Website.
Rwanda Telecom market is now composed by two (2) Telecommunication Operators that include MTN Rwanda Ltd and Airtel Rwanda Ltd, four (4) Internet Service Providers (ISPs), one (1) Wholesaler Network Service Provider, two (2) Network Facility Providers and twenty-three (23) Retailer Internet Service Providers.
For more information on telecoms contacts, please see the following link: 4.11 Additional Services Contact List.
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Telephone Services |
|
|---|---|
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Is there an existing landline telephone network? |
Yes |
|
Does it allow international calls? |
Yes |
|
Number and Length of Downtime Periods (on average) |
Telephone network is faily stable |
|
Mobile Phone Providers |
MTN RWANDACEL AIRTEL RWANDA |
|
Approximate Percentage of National Coverage |
|
Telecommunications Regulations
Communication equipment should be licensed with the government authority known as Agence de Regulation Multi-sectorielle. There are no satellite phone providers in Rwanda so selected WFP staff use Thuraya. Radio communication is restricted for use by government, humanitarian, and business organisations.
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Regulations |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Regulations on Usage and Import |
Yes / No |
Regulating Authority |
|
Satellite |
N/A |
N/A |
|
HF Radio |
Yes |
RURA |
|
UHF/VHF/HF radio: handheld, base and mobile |
Yes |
RURA |
|
UHF/VHF repeaters |
Yes |
RURA |
|
GPS |
Yes |
No restrictions |
|
VSAT |
Yes |
RURA |
|
Individual Network Operator Licenses Required |
Yes |
RURA |
|
Frequency Licenses Required |
Yes, Annual |
RURA |
Existing Humanitarian Telecoms Systems
All UN agencies in Rwanda have established radio communication systems (HF & VHF) and use a common radio network managed by UNDSS. Coordination is managed by the UN Security Cell.
In Rwanda, the satellite in service is VSAT Fast broadband two-way satellite internet service from Brussels Satellite VSAT private teleport.
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Existing UN Telecommunication Systems |
|||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Organisations |
UNDP |
WFP |
WHO |
FAO |
UNHCR |
UNDSS |
UNICEF |
|
VHF frequencies |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
HF frequencies |
No |
Yes |
No |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
|
|
Locations of Repeaters |
No |
Mt Jali |
No |
No |
Yes |
Mt Huye Kigali Mt Karongi |
Kigali |
|
VSAT |
No |
Yes |
No |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Internet Service Providers (ISPs)
|
Internet Service Providers |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Are there ISPs available? |
Yes |
|
|
If yes, are they privately or government owned? |
Private |
|
|
Dial-up only? |
No |
|
|
Approximate Rates (local currency and USD - $) |
Dial-up |
Obsolete |
|
Broadband |
|
|
|
Max Leasable ‘Dedicated’ Bandwidth |
Varies between ISP’s. Isolated areas use V-SAT and GPRS. |
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Mobile Network Operators (MNOs)
As per Statistics Report for Telecom, Media and Broadcasting Sector as of the Year 2022, the operators providing mobile telephone services are MTN Rwanda Ltd and Airtel Rwanda Ltd.
For information on MNOs please visit the Rwanda Utilities Regulatory Authority Website.
|
Company |
Number of Agent Outlets by Area |
Network Strength by Area |
Contracted for Humanitarian or Government Cash Transfer Programmes? |
Services Offered (i.e. Merchant Payment, Bulk Disbursement, Receive & Make Payment) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
MTN RWANDACELL |
30,000 Mobile Money agents and 60,000 MoMoPay merchants across the country. |
99% |
YES (UNHCR) |
YES |
|
AIRTEL RWANDA |
Few agents (No information on the number of agent Outlets) |
50% |
NO |
YES (Merchant Payment and Receive & Make Payment) |
