MTN-Rwanda

Technologies:

GSM for Mobile cellular and Fixed on GSM Platform,GPRS;

EDGE (Mobile and data communication);

WCDMA (Mobile and data communication in cities);

WIMAX (Data communication);

SDH (Transmission on Fiber and Microwave);

DWDM (Transmission on Fiber);

PDH (Transmission on Microwave) and  4G LTE.

AIRTEL-TIGO  RWANDA

Technologies:

GSM for mobile Cellular and fixed on GSM Platform, GPRS;

EDGE (Mobile and data communication);

WCDMA (Mobile and data communication);

SDH (Transmission on Microwave);

PDH (Transmission on Microwave) and 

4G LTE.

 Korea Telecom-Rwanda:

Technologies: 4G LTE wholesale

• Technical capacity to operate a national telecoms network.
• Capital to roll-out the network.
• Readiness to meet sectoral requirements as spelt out in the National Broadband Policy and in the ICT law. 

Type Approval Stands for acceptance tests carried out on the imported electronic communication equipment to ascertain that it meets pre-set specifications. The specifications are such that they are for human safety and also not injurious to the existing networks.

It is a process of granting a certificate to a product that meets a minimum set of regulatory, technical and safety requirements. Generally, type approval is required before a product is allowed to be imported or sold in Rwanda.

Telecommunications, all electronic communication equipment that are to be installed and utilized within the Republic of Rwanda, all are subject to type approval.

By applying to the Director-General, Rwanda Utilities Regulatory Authority (RURA), and providing all the relevant literature about the equipment, including any of the type-approvals for the same equipment from other Regulatory Authorities, test reports from the accredited laboratory, the technical specifications of the equipment, the application form uploaded on RURA website, one sample in case of mobile phones and tablets with 4G and 3G features.

The lead time to obtain type approval is 3 working days

BTS (Base Transceiver Station) is the active components required for linking mobile phone and the Mobile Operators. It is composed of the Radio Frequency (RF) antennas and cabinet used to control, manage and transmit the signal.

When installing the BTS:

• Antennas should be place at 15m above the ground;
• Should avoid siting towers in or near wetlands, near known bird concentration areas or in habitat of  listed as threatened or endangered species or in migratory bird’s routes;
• The signal of the strongest intensity should not land on the ground at a horizontal distance less    than 100m from the foot of the antenna.

Telecom towers and rooftop are used to carry the BTS equipment (RF and Cabinet)

When conducting installation:

• The tower should be placed at a distance equal to the height of the tower plus 5 m from any       residential structure, roads and streets.
• The rooftop towers should not exceed 7 m height above the building and the transmitting antennas should be kept away from the areas where people are most likely to be. 

Any special request different from the above should be assessed by RURA before further action.

It is a table indicating the use of the various frequency bands by the various radiocommunication services within the Republic of Rwanda. The table is updated from time to time to reflect the decisions of World Radiocommunications Conferences (WRC).

Number portability is the system that allows customers of mobile telecommunication services to retain their telephone numbers when switching between operators. 

Yes, Mobile Number portability is possible in Rwanda and it is one of the ways to enhance competition in telecommunication industry. A study is being conducted to check the readiness of the market for introduction of mobile Number Portability in Rwanda.

The requirements to get a short code authorization are found on the following click here

As we said that VOIP is not yet regulated; Fundamental changes have occurred in the sector with technological innovation, convergence of services and increased competition. This profound change may be calling today a new re-regulation, in order to open a greater number of market segments to competition and to update the methods and practices of licensing and spectrum management, while facilitating the growth of broadband networks and services resulting from convergence. With increasing competition and the entry of new competing service providers, it will also need to consider more closely the issue of settlement of disputes.

• To connect to the fiber, you have to contact the Internet Service provider (ISP) if you are a user;
• Contact the fiber infrastructure owner if you are an Internet Service Provider (ISP). 

 Any special request different from the above should be assessed by RURA before further action.

"Spectrum" refers to the range of frequencies over which electromagnetic signals can be transmitted.  That includes radio, television, wireless Internet connectivity, remote control, and every other communication enabled by radio waves.

Everyone who uses a technology that connects without wires. That includes radios, TVs, planes with radar, portable phones, etc.

RURA has implemented a system where parts of the spectrum are allocated on either an exclusive or shared basis. If 'exclusive', then the right to use this spectrum is conveyed by a license. The terms of this license give its holder the right to use this block of spectrum for the term of the license. If 'shared', then access to the spectrum is shared by many users, who are either given a license, or who use equipment to access that spectrum which has been certified by RURA. 

To find the National Table of Frequency Allocation, do visit RURA website at www.rura.rw 

Yes, the following devices do not require a RF License: 

• Short range devices,
• Industrial Scientific and Medical (ISM) applications

Except for the cases mentioned in section above, a Radio Frequency License must be issued by RURA prior to the operation of any communications or electronic equipment that intentionally radiates or re-radiates radio frequency signals. Licenses are obtained by completing a Request form and submitting it to RURA. 

Forms and requirements can be found at http://www.rura.rw

a. Thoroughly check the affected equipment to ensure that the RFI is not being generated internally or onsite and that the equipment is operating properly. 

b. Fill out the form available on RURA website at the following link http://www.rura.rw/interferencecomplaint/

Yearly countrywide measurements of Radio Frequency Electromagnetic Fields (EMF) level to ensure compliance with international standards of EMF exposure limits provided by International Commission on Non?Ionizing Radiation Protection guidelines (ICNIRP-1998).

In addition to that, occasional measurements are effected when there is complaint from the public residing in the vicinity of communication towers or when there is an installation of a new communication tower.

Rwanda abides by EMF exposure limits provided by International Commission on Non?Ionizing Radiation Protection guidelines (ICNIRP-1998). 

Refer to the International Commission on Non?Ionizing Radiation Protection guidelines (ICNIRP-1998) which can be found on the following link: http://www.icnirp.org/cms/upload/publications/ICNIRPemfgdl.pdf

Yes, before and after installation of towers and antennas, a survey is conducted by RURA engineers to ensure protection of the environment and people living in the vicinity. 

RURA engineers responsible for Spectrum management and infrastructure development.

The law N°09/2013 of 01 March 2013 establishing RURA and determining its mission, powers, organization and functioning requires RURA to regulate media especially in article 2. The ICT law  and  Media law, RURA is shaped to be well positioned to contribute to effectively respond to the country’s all regulatory matters regarding media.

Yes, before you establish a TV channel or FM radio you will need to apply for broadcasting service license issued by Regulatory Authority.

If the applicant fulfills the requirements, the license is issued in thirty (30) days from the date of application.

There is a number of requirements to license someone for providing broadcasting services, namely:   

1)Application letter addressed to the Director General, the letter shall at least indicate:

a)a statement describing the required license and a brief on editorial line;

b) the office location and full address;

2)To fill an application form obtained from the Regulatory Authority ’s website; 

3)Copy of Rwandan ID or Passport for contact person;

4)Detailed CV of Managing Director and Chief Editor;

5)Criminal record of the Managing Director and Chief Editor;

6)Applicant’s financial and technical capacity to carry out broadcasting services;

7)Company profile including brief on editorial line; 

8)     Company certificate specifying that provision of Broadcasting services is one of the businesses to carry out;

9)  Proof of payment for application fee;

10)  Detailed plan and technical specifications for Studio for TV broadcasting services; 

11)  Any other information deemed necessary by the Regulatory Authority for decision making.

In broadcasting services, you can apply either for FM radio or TV broadcasting services. The following are the different types of the licenses:

1.License for public radio broadcasting 

2.License for private radio broadcasting

3.License for free to air TV services

4.License for subscription TV services  

Pursuant to the Law nº 09/2013 of 01/03/2013 establishing Rwanda Utilities Regulatory Authority (RURA) and determining its mission, powers, organisation and functioning, in its article 2 specifies that Postal Sector is among the sectors to be regulated by RURA. 

Pursuant to the regulations governing postal and courier services in Rwanda adopted by the Regulatory Board on 4th April 2015;

Yes, you need to apply for license issued by Regulatory Authority prior commencement of postal or courier services in Rwanda.

If the Regulatory Authority determines that the license application is complete, it shall grant a license within a period not exceeding  thirty (30 ) days. The  thirty  (30 ) days period does not include time for applicant to respond or to request for additional information. 

Any person who intends to apply for postal or courier services license shall submit to the Regulatory Authority the following documents: 

a)An application letter addressed to the Director General of RURA;

b)An application form well filled by the applicant;

c)Domestic registration certificate issued by Rwanda Development Board specifying that postal or courier services are among the businesses to carry out;

d)The legal status of the applicant;

e)The zone of operation for which the applicant requests for a license;

f)Business plan for a period of five (5) years;

g)A copy of National Identity Cards (ID) or Passport for the managing director;

h)Proof of the payment of the prescribed non-refundable application fee;

i)List or number of all other Rwanda or foreign licenses held by the applicant pertaining to the Postal or courier services if any; 

j)Justification of full ownership of the premises in the names of the company or the rental agreement;

k)Insurance policy;

l)Plan of quality of service standards

m)Fire protection measures;

n)Any other information deemed necessary by the Authority.

The  Regulatory Authority  grants  the following  types of licenses:  

a)Public postal Operator License;

b)International   courier License;

c)Regional courier License;

d)Domestic courier License;

e)International in-bound courier License;

f)Intra-city courier License;

A postal or courier licensee for a given category has the right to perform activities which are in a lower category of license in descending order by types of license. 

Postal and Courier services regulations and a form Request License Forms can be found at http://www.rura.rw