Uganda has officially increased its internet usage up to 85 percent in the last 12 months up until June 2013, says MTN Uganda.

Ernst Fonternel the Chief Marketing Officer, MTN Uganda attributed the growth in Internet customers to 1.6 million to their expanding data footprint and deployment of LTE.

“Since the beginning of the year, MTN has been the first in the market to introduce WiFi Hotspots, 42Mbps and 4G LTE. We also provide our customers with 15MB worth of Free Internet every month and we are constantly reaching out to our customers through various activations and great device deals,” he said.

He said that many people were starting to use second screens along side television, so the content that was limited ot TV was deleivered via other electronic devices such as PCs and mobile phones. This, he said requires high speed technologies 3G+ and 4G LTE.

MTN is significantly investing into Internet education and as part of this initiative is hosting MTN Expos across the country. Aligned with the Government’s intentions to increase Internet penetration in Uganda, the regional MTN Expos create awareness for the vast opportunities available through the use of ICT as well as expose customers to the various affordable data plans and devices available from MTN including Feature Phones, Smart Phones, Tablets, Notebooks, Laptops, Internet Dongles and Routers.

MTN Uganda is the leading investor in technology in Uganda,with a planned investment of over $70million in 2013 to upgrade infrastructure and expand coverage to rural areas in addition to their $80million during 2012.

MTN is well known for Internet coverage, speeds and innovation and during 2012 alone launched its own WiFi service called MTN HotSpots, doubled their Internet speeds to became the first Uganda operator to launch 42Mbps and 4G LTE on its network.