KT rolls out LTE service in Rwanda

KT Corp., South Korea's No. 2 mobile carrier, said Thursday it has successfully established a long-term evolution (LTE) network in Kigali, adding it will continue its efforts to expand the coverage across the African country.

The remark came seven months after the Olleh Rwanda Network, a joint venture between KT and the Rwandan government, commenced its project to build a LTE infrastructure in the capital of Rwanda in April.

The network will be distributed to the main three Rwandan mobile carriers: MTN Rwanda, Tigo and Airtel Rwanda. KT has earned the exclusive right to run the network in the country for the next 25 years. 

"The implementation of the LTE service is a result from the long-standing relationship between KT and Rwanda. It is also a new opportunity," KT said in its release. "Based on the deal, KT will speed up its move to tap deeper into the African ICT market."

The company added it plans to establish full LTE coverage in Rwanda by 2017, although the schedule may change. Last month, Rwandan President Paul Kagame met with KT head Hwang Chang-gyu and discussed ideas on forging deeper ties in the ICT sector. (Yonhap)