The largest telecommunication company in the Asian country of South Korea, Korea Telecom, has agreed to deploy a high-speed (4G LTE) broadband network across the length and breadth of Rwanda; a feat which will see Rwandans access fast, reliable and cheaper Internet services.

This would aid the proper functionality of 3,000 kilometres of fibre optic cable laid countrywide by the Rwanda’s government boosting access to various broadband services, including applications such as e-governance, e-banking, e-learning and e-health.

The agreement which was signed last Monday includes a cooperation framework agreement that will see the success of the infrastructure registered within the next 25 years.

Korea Telecom will inject $140 m (about Rwf91billion) in infrastructure and expertise, while government will provide fibre optic network assets, spectrum and a whole licence.

While addressing the news conference, Yung Kim, the Chief Strategy Officer, Korea Telecom said, “We have $140 million cash but, we shall look for financial support from banks and other sources to reach $260 million”.

Furthermore, the project targets to cover 95 per cent of the population within three years, as Yung said: “We believe a nationwide broadband based on 4G LTE technology is the key foundation for Rwanda’s ICT development. Building 4G LTE technology for wholesale is a unique and innovative way to achieve faster broadband coverage that will enable Rwandans to access high speed Internet services, anywhere, anytime.”

Mobile network operators in Rwanda are encouraged to invest in the project, while the Korea Telecom and Rwanda will seek opportunities of expanding the 4GLTE joint programme to other neighbouring countries.