By Our Reporter
Roke Telkom, a Ugandan public service provider for voice and data communications services and Facebook Inc, a global social networking service provider, have partnered to launch a new internet service program dubbed Roke Express Wi-Fi which is expected to give customers an enhanced user experience.
According to Mr. Roger Sekaziga, the Chief Executive Officer of Roke Telkom, the Roke Express Wi-Fi is a more scalable service network that will enable increase in the number of access points to the internet, improve deployment scale and enhance the efficiency to over 600 Rokespots.
He added that Roke is now able to offer a more diversified set of services including; promotional offers, while charging for some, which will ultimately improve the company’s customer’s experiences and position Roke Telkom as a front runner in internet service provision.
According to a Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) 2019 report, only 23% of a population of more than 44 million Ugandans were internet users. A Forbes 2020 report also indicated that there was a 70% increase in internet usage due to the COVID-19 pandemic therefore this initiative will go a long way in enabling a number of Ugandans access the internet.
Roke Telkom expects the program to enhance its ability to understand the market better and tailor products best fit for its customers. “This partnership represents a great deal to our company and also Uganda at large, seeing that now more Ugandans will be able to access better internet services even in the most remote regions of the country at affordable prices,” Mr. Sekaziga noted.
Facebook first began testing its Express Wi-Fi service network five years ago, and has since expanded across many African countries including; Tanzania, Kenya and most recently Uganda.
The program is intended to offer local entrepreneurs and the grass root communities affordable internet services.
Uganda becomes the 8th country in Africa to partner with Facebook to build more internet access points that will enable developing countries easily set up and manage their hotspots, in turn providing high speed connectivity to more communities.