Zain applies for 3rd National telecom operator licence in Rwanda

Zain (formerly Celtel) has filed its application to become Rwanda's third licensee, the other existing players being Rwandatel and MTN Rwanda.

Rwanda is looking at enhancing the competitiveness of its telecoms sector as the initial 5 year duopoly period comes to an end for Rwandatel and MTN Rwanda. This also comes against the backdrop of poor service and regular dropped calls on the MTN Rwanda network which led the Rwanda telecoms regulator to fine MTN an unprecedented 70 million Rwandese Francs.

Zain is competing for the third national license against Orascom Telecom's subsidiary, Telecel Globe Ltd of Egypt, Millicom from Luxemburg and Larrycom from Sudan.One of Zain's strongest selling points as a telecom brand is its world class 'one network' which enables subscribers on the Zain network in Africa and Asia to make cross border calls at local rates. This is one innovation European telcos would not welcome because of revenue generated from their expensive roaming charges.

Apart from its one network, Zain hopes to introduce world class communications services on the wimax platform as well as 3G and 3.5G telephony.