MTN Uganda launches the MTN Internet Bus worth Ushs. 600 Million to boost ICT literacy in
Rural Uganda
Release date:5/29/2014
Kampala,
Uganda
–
29th
May,
2014
MTN Uganda through the MTN Uganda Foundation has unveiled a fully kitted state of the
art bus dubbed the MTN Internet Bus. The Bus which is the first of its kind in Uganda, will
be a vital tool for MTN Uganda’s vision of enhancing ICT Education across the country. The
MTN Internet Bus which is equipped with sixteen high-end computer working stations as
well as access to High speed Internet Connectivity Service using the world class data
infrastructure powered by MTN 3G and 4G LTE Technology with Wi-Fi coverage. The
Internet Bus is the first to be introduced in Uganda by MTN the Leader in the delivery of
Bold Digital services and is estimated to have cost in excess of Ushs. 600 million. It was
unveiled at a Press conference held at MTN’s Nyonyi Garden offices.
Speaking at the launch, the MTN Uganda Chief Executive Officer Mazen Mroué said the
introduction of the MTN Internet Bus is in line with MTN Uganda’s new Vision of delivering
a Bold, new Digital world which aims at creating distinct customer experience, driving
sustainable growth and a specific focus on making MTN Customers lives a whole lot
brighter. Mroué said the MTN Internet Bus will go a long way in driving MTN Uganda’s
commitment to help build and develop the capacity of Ugandans as well as strengthening the
nation’s economy through ICT awareness initiatives across all regions of the country adding
that it is a vital component for the promotion of computer literacy in rural areas in an effort to
bridge
the
gap
between
rural
and
urban
areas.
“At MTN, innovation is about introducing something new, better or different, large or small
that adds sustainable value to the lives of our customers. We believe the introduction of this
Internet Bus will go a long way in creating the much needed ICT awareness across the
country”, he said. He added that the MTN Internet Bus would provide ICT training capacity
with the provision of basic computer skills and integrated e-Learning. This will further
solidify MTN’s commitment to support the Government of Uganda and in particular the
Ministry of ICT in its agenda to enhance ICT skills and basic computer literacy in the
country.
MTN Uganda continues focusing largely on the expansion of the data network infrastructure;
MTN was the first in the market to introduce word class internet technologies through the 3G
42 Mbps, 4G LTE and WiFi Hotspots. As of 31st March 2014, MTN Uganda total Data
subscribers
exceeded
2.6
million.
MTN Uganda became the first operator in Uganda, and one of the very first in Africa to
launch its 4G LTE services. The launch of LTE represented a major jump in mobile
connectivity capabilities with speeds of up to 100Mbps. MTN Uganda has further covered the
country with internet speeds of up to 42Mbps and has insured great quality internet for the
broader Ugandan population.
MTN Uganda launched its Mobile Network operations in 1998, since inception MTN
cumulative investment exceeded UGX 1.7 Trillion. Last year, the company injected more
than UGX 140 billion in upgrading the Network infrastructure and adding another 400Km of
national fiber, by December 2013, MTN Uganda Total Fiber infrastructure exceeded 3,200
Km. The continuous investment by MTN in Uganda has enabled job creation with direct and
indirect
support
for
over
560,000
Ugandans.
MTN’s new Vision and Mission to ‘To Lead the delivery of a bold, new Digital World to its
customers’ and ‘To make our customers’ lives a whole lot brighter’. This has seen the
company strongly enhance its Data portfolio through a number of targeted initiatives such as
the regional MTN Data Expos and most recently the launch of its new thematic Data
Campaign that showcases all the things you can learn from the Internet. Officiating at the
launch, ICT Minister Hon. John Nasasira commended MTN for leading the way on the
innovation front with life changing services that are complementing the Government’s
endeavors
especially
in
delivering
ICT
training
across
the
country.
Nasasira said the MTN ICT Education drive is a welcome initiative and urged Ugandans to
embrace the opportunity to better their lives. “At MTN, we have refocused our interventions
towards empowerment of the communities in various areas. Education is one such area which
is very close to our hearts because of the direct link between improved literacy and the socioeconomic
status
of
any
community,”
Mroué
concluded.
The South African High Commissioner to Uganda- H.E. Jon Qwelane who is also an MTN
Uganda Foundation trustee was also in attendance and he pledged that the MTN Foundation
would continue to look at areas that have a sustainable impact on development of the
different communities while also looking to address the different needs of Ugandans. He
mentioned that he was pleased to be part of such initiatives that positively impacted the lives
of Ugandans.
The MTN Uganda Foundation partners with both public and non-profit credible organizations
to execute sustainable projects in each of the chosen focus areas. The Foundation is
committed to ensuring that the selection and approval of its projects are conducted in a
manner that is transparent, systematic, efficient, and effective while promoting its mission.
In 2014 and onwards, the MTN Foundation will focus on three key areas so as to leverage
scale to achieve significant development impact. These include the areas of Education, Health
and
National
Priorities.
-EndAbout
MTN
Uganda
Launched in 1998, MTN Uganda is the leading communications operator in Uganda, offering
Mobile and Fixed telecommunications, Mobile Money Services and Internet Service
Provisioning. As of 31 March 2014, MTN Uganda recorded 9.5 million subscribers across
Uganda. Visit us at www.mtn.co.ug and for our football fans www.mtnfootball.com.
Customers
can
also
follow
us
on www.youtube.com/mtnug andwww.twitter.com/mtnugandacare for
assistance.
About
the
MTN
Group
Launched in 1994, the MTN Group is a leading emerging market operator, connecting
subscribers in 22 countries in Africa, Asia and the Middle East. The MTN Group is listed on
the JSE Securities Exchange in South Africa under the share code: “MTN.” As of 31 March
2014, MTN recorded 210.1 million subscribers across its operations in Afghanistan, Benin,
Botswana, Cameroon, Cote d’Ivoire, Cyprus, Ghana, Guinea Bissau, Guinea Republic, Iran,
Liberia, Nigeria, Republic of Congo (Congo Brazzaville), Rwanda, South Africa, Sudan,
South Sudan, Swaziland, Syria, Uganda, Yemen and Zambia. More info onwww.mtn.com
For
Justina
more
Ntabgoba on
+256
information,
(0) 312
121
please
contact:
064 or ntabgoj@mtn.co.ug
Wendy Angu' Deyo on +256 (0) 312 120 762 or angudew@mtn.co.ug