Rwanda is examining options to issue a new telecoms licence to fill the space left by the cancellation of Rwandatel’s mobile licence, according to East African Business Week.
The Rwanda Utilities Regulatory Agency (RURA) revoked Rwandatel’s mobile…
Rwanda is examining options to issue a new telecoms licence to fill the space left by the cancellation of Rwandatel’s mobile licence, according to East African Business Week.
The Rwanda Utilities Regulatory Agency (RURA) revoked Rwandatel’s mobile licence in April for failing to fulfil licence obligations in terms of investments, coverage, rollout and quality of services.
In July, a commercial court in Nyarungenge decided to liquidate Rwandatel. The plan is to sell the company’s assets by the end of the year to reimburse creditors, but the assets are expected to be sold to another operator to avoid service interruption.
The government initiated insolvency proceeding against the operator in April.
Libyan investment vehicle Lap Green Networks owns 80% of Rwandatel, while Rwanda’s Caisse Sociale (social security fund) owns the remaining 20%.
MTN Rwanda and Tigo Rwanda are currently the only providers of mobile services in the country. They together reportedly had 3.7 million subscribers in May, representing a penetration rate of 36%.
The regulator was not immediately available for comments.
