Rwanda’s telecom regulator has reported that the country is seeing a slower mobile growth than they previously thought, which could see the country not reach its mobile penetration targets.
According to the Rwanda Utilities Regulatory Agency (RURA), “the slow pace at which telecommunication operators are attracting subscribers means the country may miss its mobile penetration target.”
The country has put a goal of a penetration rate of 60 percent by the end of 2012, but that might not happen at current rates.
RURA’s Head of Communications and Media Regulation Department Jean Baptiste Mutabazi said “it’s obvious that Rwanda will not meet the target of 6 million subscribers by the end of 2012.”
As of September, the three mobile operators had a combined subscription base of 5.16 million, up from 5.09 million the month before, RURA reported.
Mutabazi added that the target “may not be reached as it will be difficult for the operators to close the gap in the remaining months of the year.”
According to government statistics, at the end of 2011, operators surpassed their target of 3.73 million by 19 percent, with only two operators, Tigo Rwanda and MTN Rwanda operating, after the regulator revoked the Rwandatel’s license earlier in the year.
Mohammad Awad
