The role of information and communication technologies in development will further be underscored by the recent improvement of internet services and the decrease in internet access fees in Uganda.

According to MTN Uganda Chief Executive Officer, Themba Khumalo, the decrease in costs of internet access is going to lead to economic improvements at the individual, organisational and national levels.

MTN Uganda CEO Themba Khumalo speaks with Makerere University Vice Chancellor - Prof. Venasius Baryamureeba

He was speaking Tuesday at the launch of the MTN Mobile Internet 3G+ Experiential Week in Kampala. The 3.5G Data Network is an upgrade over the EDGE Technology that MTN has been providing, following the network enhancement by Chinese Technology firm, Huawei Technologies in July 2010.

“High speed internet access can be a tool of national development and social integration in Uganda, if made available to the millions. This is the premise of MTN Mobile Internet 3G+. With high speed internet access, businesses can do a lot more; they will achieve much higher levels of efficiency and productivity,” Khumalo said.

The past few months have seen telecom companies like Orange Uganda (3G and 3G+), Uganda Telecom (3G) introduce better mobile internet services, but it is the recent entry into this market by MTN Uganda that has driven prices of fast Mobile Internet modems almost three times lower. For example, att the beginning of July, Orange was selling a mobile internet modem at 200,000 Uganda shillings, but like MTN Uganda, they are selling it at 70,000 Uganda shillings.

“Internet access and penetration in Uganda is reported to be at 2%. This is going to change quickly with the introduction of our 3.5G data network. The internet is now more affordable and easy to reach, for all groups of,” Khumalo says.

He says the new MTN 3G+ Data Network is accessible in Kampala, Entebbe, Arua, Gulu, Iganga, Jinja, Kalangala, Masaka and Mbarara. According to a news statement from MTN Uganda, the company  will within the next four weeks extend the 3G+ network to Busia, Hoima, Kabale, Malaba, Masindi, Mbale,  Tororo and Ibanda.

Earlier on, the Vice Chancellor of Makerere University, Prof. Venasius Baryamureeba, had challenged telecommunications firms in Uganda to use their networks to spur development in rural Uganda through proving affordable and efficient mobile telecommunication services.

Prof. Baryamureeba, a former Dean of Makerere University’s Faculty of Computing and Information Technology argues that internet access is a key driver of development, and telecommunications companies in Uganda will help improve services in health, education and other sectors if affordable internet is accessible across Uganda.

By Ultimate Media