Airtel’s Voice Over 4G Technology Captures Over a Million Rwandan Users

Airtel Rwanda has reached a major milestone in advancing the country’s telecommunications landscape, with over one million new subscribers signing up for its Voice Over 4G (VoLTE) service just a month after its launch. This innovation marks a transformative step in how Rwandans communicate, as VoLTE allows users to make high-quality voice calls and send SMS messages over a 4G network. The move signifies a shift from traditional telecom operations to internet-based communication, aligning with the global evolution of the digital economy.

VoLTE technology delivers a more cost-effective approach to voice communication by embedding voice calls into data bundles, making services more accessible and affordable for users. For instance, a one-hour nonstop voice call now consumes just 15MB of 4G data—equivalent to downloading five photos within seconds—rather than incurring per-minute charges. With bundles such as unlimited calls and 1GB of daily data for Rwf3,000, Airtel Rwanda provides customers with seamless and uninterrupted connectivity, eliminating traditional cost barriers.

Emmanuel Hamez, Airtel Rwanda’s Managing Director, emphasized that this approach significantly reduces the overall cost of voice communication. With voice calls accounting for just 1% of total data traffic, the integration of voice services into data bundles enables customers to enjoy high-quality communication without additional expenses. Hamez stated that this move reflects Airtel Rwanda’s broader vision to transition from being a traditional “telephone operator” to an “internet operator,” positioning the company as a pioneer in the digital transformation of Rwanda’s telecom sector.

The rollout of VoLTE is closely aligned with Rwanda’s National Broadband Policy, which aims to phase out outdated technologies and foster competition in the 4G network market. Airtel Rwanda has already taken proactive measures to meet these policy goals, converting 100% of its network to 4G and extending coverage to 95% of the country’s population. The company plans to phase out 3G technology by the end of 2025 and 2G by the end of 2026, ensuring a fully modernized network infrastructure.

In addition to upgrading its network, Airtel Rwanda has actively participated in the Connect Rwanda 2.0 initiative, which seeks to provide affordable smartphones to underserved populations, particularly in rural areas. This initiative has yielded remarkable results, with smartphone ownership among Airtel customers rising from 10% to 50% within a single year. Such efforts are not only bridging the digital divide but also empowering more Rwandans to access the benefits of modern communication technologies.

While acknowledging some challenges in internet quality, particularly in areas without fiber connectivity, Hamez noted significant progress in improving service delivery. Internet speeds have increased substantially, from an average of 10 Mbps to between 30 Mbps and 50 Mbps, thanks to upgrades in the core network and the expansion of radio frequency capacity. These improvements are aimed at providing users with a faster, more reliable internet experience across the country.

The introduction of VoLTE is expected to further accelerate the phasing out of older networks. By reallocating radio frequency spectrum from 3G to 4G, Airtel Rwanda is poised to enhance the quality of its 4G network even further, ensuring customers benefit from cutting-edge connectivity solutions. Hamez expressed optimism that these advancements would not only improve service quality but also position Airtel Rwanda as a key enabler of the country’s digital transformation, paving the way for a more connected and inclusive society.