MTN Uganda Upgrades to 3G & Completes its $70 Million Network Sites Roll-Out

Jan 2014: MTN Uganda completes the roll-out of 115 new Network Coverage Sites as part of its 2013 plan

MTN Uganda is pleased to announce completion of the planned 2013 Network Coverage site roll-out initiative. The site roll out exercise for 2013 saw the rollout of 115 new coverage sites and upgraded the capacity of another 406 Network sites. This is part of the 2013 Investment plan worth USD 70 million and brings the total number of MTN Network sites supporting the MTN network up to 1,220.

The new coverage areas rolled-out in 2013 include some of the following:

•    Central Region- Nakwero, Luwero Town, Negulumye, Luyanzi, Masajja Town, Lubatu, Lweza Central, Semuto, Namanve, Kyebando Nsoba, Ndejje University, Pekasa Hostel, Protea Hotel, Ntinda Valley, Namanve, Kireka Zone, Ham Towers, Gwaffu.

•    Northern Region- Aripia, Pajimu, Acholi Pii, Palwo, Bangaladesh, Muchwini, Midigo, Karenga, Buseruka Road, Nyarugabo, Katikamu, Ntwetwe town, Zombo, Merewa, Akilok, Lacor Hospital, Goli, Omoti, Patongo, Ovujjo, Kisimula, Bweyale, Badyan, Pamodo, Akara, Buhimba, Pakele, Bala, Nyapea, Padea, Adumi, Wandi, Loyoro , Wol, Kupoth, Morulem.

•    Eastern Region- Sigulu East, Kobulubulu, Achuna, Kalaki, Namwezi, Bwonda, Bugobi Nakyere, Tororo,Senior Quarters, Namasagali, Buyende, Irundu, Magoro, Kyanvuma, Namagera, Cheminy, Ibuje, Namungalwe, Dodos, Nabisengo, Bukoli, Kapujan, Mbale resort, Senyi_Island, Nangunga.

•    Western Region- Isingiro Town, Igara, Kinuka, Nabugabo, Lake Katwe, Nyamatunga, Lusalira, Masonde, Mahango, Naanywa, Nyamwirima, Kyanika, Rwengobe, Rubuguri, Kitemu, Biwolobo, Nakivale, Banda Maanyi, Mpambiire, Kanseera, Maya, Dyango

In addition, MTN Uganda has upgraded almost all its Network sites in Kampala from 2G to 3G and all the planned new 3G locations out of Kampala have been completed bringing the total number of 3G locations to more than 400 sites. The upgraded sites in Kampala will go a long way in supporting businesses and commerce in the Central Business District.

“MTN Uganda is ahead of target on its rollout plans and nearly all of the planned 406 sites earmarked for upgrade by end of 2013 have been completed,” reiterated Rami Farah, MTN Uganda’s Chief Technical Officer.

MTN has invested heavily in technology consistently leading the pack over the years.

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.

Since MTN was launched in Uganda in 1998, it has made major investments in the country. In 2012 and 2013 alone, its CAPEX investments exceeded USD 150 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. The continuous investment over the last 15 years has positioned the MTN Brand as number One in all categories as the Largest Network with the Widest Coverage, Fasted Internet and the Biggest Mobile Money Service Provider with direct and indirect Job creation and support exceeding 500,000 people.

“In terms of Network Infrastructure, by the end of 2012 MTN Uganda had 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 350km of fibre is currently deployed between Mutundwe in Kampala and Kyenjojo district through Fort portal) in Western Uganda,” said Farah.

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.

“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.

MTN Uganda has 3 regional switching centers located in Tororo, Mbarara and Masindi. The purpose of these is to improve network resilience and efficiency. MTN also commissioned its fourth switching centre at Mutundwe and rolled out high speed data. The Company has been improving inter switch capacity and resilience to accommodate traffic increases on the network and provide better service to our customers. Earlier this year, MTN Uganda 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.

This is in line with MTN’s new Vision- ‘To support delivery a bold new digital world to its customers.