4G by MTN

MTN has become the first operator
in Uganda, and one of the very first
in the region and on the African
continent to successfully launch its
4G LTE network.
Long Term Evolution technology
(LTE) is the latest technology in
the world with the fastest internet
speeds of up to 100Mbps, giving
customers the most seamless
experience in data
services.Popularly known as 4G,
LTE is a ‘standard for wireless
communication of high-speed data
for data terminals and mobile
phones.’ 4G LTE Data Networks
provide mobile ultra-broadband
internet access.
“We are happy to claim another
first in Uganda with this
momentous announcement as MTN
Uganda successfully launches its
4GLTE network offering World-
class internet services to our
customers. What is even more
pleasing is that we’ve done this
ahead of many other advanced
economies around the world,” said
Ernst Fonternel, MTN Uganda’s
Chief Marketing Officer.
The launch of LTE represents a
major stride in mobile connectivity
capabilities in Uganda. The service
offers almost triple the speed of
any existing mobile connection
available commercially in Uganda
and in the region.“This launch
further emphasizes MTN’s
commitment in not just
transforming its own network but
also the businesses of its Corporate
and SME customers while
contributing positively to the
overall development of the ICT
sector in Uganda,” Fonternel added.
For the customer this means you
can download large files in no time,
stream music videos and HD movies
without buffering and upload
pictures without delay. These
services will significantly transform
the way you interact with the
world.
“The higher LTE speeds will give
our customers lower latency which
translates into a much more stable
user experience. The technology’s
impressive speeds create endless
possibilities for the user including
instantaneous music and picture
downloads,” said Fonternel.
“Our challenge isn’t keeping ahead
of the other operators. It’s keeping
ahead of the tidal wave of data
demand both in our country and in
the region. Last year we launched
our 21.6Mbps Data Network and
last month we rolled out our
42Mbps Data Network and now LTE.
In all these innovations, we have
been the first, and our intention is
to continue pushing boundaries so
that our customers enjoy World-
class internet.”
MTN’s LTE service will initially be
available in greater Kampala, with
other towns to follow in the very
near future. There are currently 20
locations fully integrated onto the
LTE network. Furthermore LTE
capable dongles will be on sale at
selected MTN outlets.
Fonternel said that the commercial
launch of LTE is part of a bigger
network transformation plan that
MTN has been undertaking over the
past few years in order to give its
customers World-class
services.Over the last two years,
MTN has made major investments
to its data infrastructure in Uganda,
expanded the mobile distribution
foot print, and greatly enhanced
the mobile core, radio capacity and
Network infrastructure.
MTN Uganda launched the first
Mobile Money service in Uganda
with tremendous success and was
recently ranked 2nd in the world-
wide sample for the number of
active Mobile Money accounts as
per GSM Association’s 2012 Survey.
MTN Uganda was also recently
named Uganda Number 1 Leading
Superbrand and was voted as the
Best Mobile Telephone Service
provider of the year in the Uganda
Responsible Investment Awards
2013. MTN was voted for by the
people of Uganda in appreciation
and recognition of its contribution
towards the promotion of
international best practices and
standards.
“MTN’s vision is to lead the delivery
of a bold, new Digital World to our
customers. MTN Uganda is
embracing this vision through
constant enhancements to our
Data Network to deliver World-
class Internet and make our
customers’ lives a whole lot
brighter,” added Fonternel.
Since MTN was launched in Uganda
in 1998, it has made major
investments in the country. In 2012
alone, its CAPEX investments
exceeded USD 80 million. This
investment was mainly in
expanding the network
infrastructure to support the
mobile subscriber growth as well as
the rollout of new innovative
products and digital solutions. MTN
Uganda plans to invest an
additional USD 70 million in 2013
towards further infrastructure
development.
“In terms of Network
Infrastructure, MTN Uganda has
deployed 2,800km of fibre
backbones achieved with multiple
layers and rings to protect
customer experience across all
national regions and provide
dedicated business solutions to
SMEs and Corporate Enterprises.
Another 400km of Fibre is currently
under deployment between
Mutundwe in Kampala and
Kyenjojo district in Western Uganda
and should be completed within the
coming months,” said Rami Farah,
MTN Uganda Chief Technical
Officer.
Furthermore, MTN Uganda
extended the fibre network
backbone and built five regional
switching centres in the East, West,
North and Central regions. MTN also
built a fibre optic cable through
Tanzania into Rwanda, providing an
alternative data capacity route
through Katuna into Uganda.
MTN Uganda has over the last 6
months rolled out approximately
100 new Base Transmission Sites to
new coverage areas while
commissioning another batch of
capacity sites to enhance the
quality of network services. MTN
Uganda currently has more than
1,100 network sites across all
regions in Uganda.
“The continuous CAPEX
investment by MTN is aimed at
providing our customers with the
best possible user experience
across the country. We would like
to ensure consistent and reliable
network quality for all existing
customers and also to enable many
more new customers to enjoy the
best of what Mobile Technology
has to offer,” concluded Farah.