Company invests Shs167b to boost Internet services

Kampala. To meet growing demand for the Internet in the country, Smile Telecom says it has made an investment of $45 million (Shs167b) to expand its Internet network connectivity with high speed in 15 districts.
Some of the 15 districts where Smile Telecom is operating and will be building more towers and networks are: Kamapala, Tororo, Mbale, Masaka, Masindi and Mbarara.

Speaking during the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding with the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Uganda (ICPAU) last week to provide the Internet services for Africa Congress of Accountants (ACOA) from May 2 to 4 at Speke Resort Munyonyo, Smile Telecom country manager Stephen Bannon, said there is a huge market for Internet (data) in Uganda because many people now prefer using data as opposed to the traditional telephony.
“Uganda cannot be left behind in the usage of high speed Internet, the use of data is the way because there is a huge market for it in this country,” he said.
Mr Bannon said the prospects for data market in Uganda is bright ranging from banks (financial institutions) health, education and manufacturing sector.

“There is massive use of data in mobile phones in this country following the advent of smart phones, the market for data will be growing in the next five to 10 years, what needs to be done is to bring down the price of smart phones for more people to afford it,” he said.
The president of ICPAU, Mr Protazio Begumisa, said they have partnered with Smile Telecom to provide the Internet services during the ACOA conference because the company provides high speed Internet which is important for the delegates because they will need it to communicate with their families. “This is a four-day conference which is bringing many people from outside Uganda and Africa, so the use and the availability of Internet services is needed,” he said.

[email protected]