the business community, especially young entrepreneurs, should take advantage of the growing 4G long-term evolution (LTE) network coverage as an opportunity for content and online services development.

Emmanuel Hategeka, the Rwanda Development Board chief operating officer, said 4G Internet network is like a highway waiting for motorists to use it, adding that it offers businesses and content developers immense growth opportunities.

"This fast-speed Internet, therefore, provides the business community, content developers, as well as online services development, and ordinary Rwandans huge opportunities to innovate, expand and ease operations,” Hategeka said.

The RDB official attributed the increasing coverage of 4G Internet to good leadership, noting that these achievements are government-driven.

"This shows high level of political will…We are on the right track,” he said in an interview with Business Times last week.

E-commerce services, including online shopping, e-payments, ordering food online and making applications, mobile banking, among other services, make the Internet a basic need, sector experts say.

4G Internet coverage is at 80 per cent as of end June 2017 against the target of 95 per cent by end of the year, according to Mark Karomba, the chief corporate relations officer at KT Rwanda Networks, a company in charge of deploying 4G long-term evolution (LTE) high speed broadband network in the country.

Karomba was optimistic that the firm will meet the year target, and urged Rwandans to use it in a "productive manner”.

"Therefore, it’s high time that the network is fully-utilised to improve service delivery and in wealth-creation initiatives,” he said.

Karomba was, however, not happy that the rapid coverage of 4G Internet network doesn’t match service penetration.

"There are few retailers in rural areas where these services are mostly needed given the absence of other broadband services,” he said.

Cost constraint

Karomba said 4G Internet uptake is encouraging despite challenges such as end user device cost. According to the KTRN official, the cost of 4G has declined over the years, making the service more easily accessible and affordable. "Although the cost of accessing 4G services is determined by retailers based on the regulated wholesale price, it is now as low as Rwf1,000 for a daily usage of services (1GB),” he explained.