MTN Rwanda’s Network Operating Centre (NOC) is one of several managed service solutions available to the local market, and the success of the operator’s service portfolio does have something to do with its long-term alliance with Ericsson.

MTN Rwanda CEO Mitwa Ng’ambi met recently with Ericsson’s Senior Vice President, CTO and head of strategy, Erik Ekudden, on the side-lines of the annual Broadband Commission meeting.

Over the years, the partnership has resulted in various services and products within MTN Rwanda and Mobile Money Rwanda Ltd. that, according to the companies, contributed towards closing the digital divide and propelling financial inclusion.

“MTN has been working with Ericsson on enhancing consumer experience through Ericsson’s Managed Services Solutions. One of these services includes MTN’s modernised NOC that has been implemented to manage end-to-end monitoring of MTN network,” the companies relayed in a statement to the media.

Ng’ambi said: “Ericsson has been a close and prominent partner over the last two decades in Rwanda.Their services have enabled us to pivot from product to platform, aligning seamlessly with our overarching strategy to provide the largest and most valuable platforms by delivering on 100% network coverage, and bridging the digital and financial gaps currently present. We look forward to achieving these ambitious targets for the betterment of our customers and stakeholders because we believe that everyone deserves the benefits of a modern connected life.”

In addition to telecommunication services, Ericsson has enabled Mobile Money Rwanda Ltd with a platform for digital financial services such as Basic services (P2P, Cashin, Cashout & Airtime Purchase) and Advanced payments (MoMoPay, OpenAPI), Loans & Savings, Bill Payments and Remittances.

Ekudden added: “We are proud of the relationship we’ve built with MTN Rwanda and the opportunities we’ve had to be part of the nation’s social and economic progress. We’ve collaborated on a number of initiatives that ranged from network modernisation to enhancing consumer experience. We remain ever committed to continue working together on exploring solutions that increase social and financial inclusion here in Rwanda. Together, we can accelerate the nation’s digital transformation journey.”

Licence renewal

In early May this year, ITWeb Africa reported that the MTN Group’s decision to pay off its US$91-million licence renewal fees under a ten-year amortisation agreement in Rwanda has had a 39.6% “negative” impact on its profits after tax for the quarter period to the end of March.

Following a renewal of its licence last year, the company will make the second installment payment in July this year. Payment for the fees for the license, valid for a period of ten years, follows renewal of the permit by the Rwandan government last year.