Altech Stream Rwanda

ADSL South Africa (Broadband South Africa), 4 July 2007

Altech Stream Rwanda, a subsidiary of Allied Technologies (Altech), has been granted a broadband licence to deliver broadband Internet access services in Rwandan cities.  
 
‘The Altech Stream Rwanda licence, which provides the rights to deliver comprehensive broadband services, using both Wi-Fi and WiMax, as well as dedicated spectrum usage rights in 2,5GHz, 3,5Ghz and 15GHz bands, also includes the rights for Altech Stream to install its own satellite earth-station for direct connection to the World Wide Web’ (Altech granted broadband licence in Rwanda, ICTWorld, 27 June 2007).
 
In other words, the broadband licence granted to Altech Stream Rwanda give them the rights to offer a wide range of broadband Internet access services.
 
Can this be seen as an important step forward for Altech?
 
Yes.
 
According to Craig Venter, CEO of Altech: “We regard Rwanda as an important starting point in the execution of our strategy to operate broadband networks on the African continent” (Altech granted broadband licence in Rwanda, ICTWorld, 27 June 2007).
 
In other words, Altech sees the granting of a broadband licence to do business in Rwanda, as the first step towards the execution of their strategy to expand into the rest of the African continent.
 
Is their sufficient demand for broadband Internet access services in Rwanda?
 
Yes.
 
Venter said: “The services to be offered in Rwanda will include access to the Internet, e-mail services and value-added ISP services. Pent-up demand is evident amongst customers in the business and consumer segments, whilst government and foreign institutions in the educational, diplomatic agencies and embassy offices have indicated their need for quality Internet-based services” (Altech granted broadband licence in Rwanda, ICTWorld, 27 June 2007).
 
In other words, there’s a high demand for broadband Internet access services of a high quality in Rwanda.
 
ADSL South Africa (Broadband South Africa) welcomes the news. We wish Altech Stream Rwanda all the best in their endeavours to give Rwandans a taste of the real thing.