Rwanda has signed a deal with KT Corp, South Koreas largest telecoms provider, that will see the majority of the countrys population receive high-speed 4G Internet within three years
In its drive to become an ICT leader and to develop its service economy, Rwanda has laid more than 3,000km of fibre-optic cable since 2009.
Only 8.3 per cent of the population currently have internet access, according to Rwandan officials and the new deal will see this increased to 95 per cent, according to Reuters.
KT Corp will invest around US$140mn into the joint venture company responsible for providing a fast 4G LTE broadband network, with debt and vendor financing also required.
"This agreement with KT marks a major milestone in Rwanda's drive to become a modern, knowledge-based economy - and by expanding our information infrastructure, we will create jobs, support social progress and propel economic growth," Jean Philbert Nsengimana, Rwanda's minister of youth and ICT, said in a statement.
The government's equity investment in the 25-year joint venture consists of using its national fibre optic cable, spectrum and wholesale-only operator license.
Other mobile network operators have been encouraged to invest in the project and help provide 4G LTE wireless broadband services to 12mn Rwandans.
