The One Area Network that will allow mobile subscribers from countries in East Africa to call, text and roam for a single low fixed rate across borders has been commended by Rwanda's head of state.

Speaking to delegates during the plenary session of the Transform Africa 2015, held in conjunction with Fibre To The Home (FTTH) Council Africa Conference 2015, President Paul Kagame said great gain has been achieved in the region under the initiative.

"One Area Network – this required no extra investment besides political will. So imagine how much more we can achieve together right now with what we have if we maintain this momentum," said Kagame.

The promised reduction in the cost of making calls has become a reality, according to the President.

"Subscription numbers went up around 300 times, revenues went up 25 percent prices for calling went down 50 percent and everybody gained."

Progress of the One Area Network initiative has been satisfactory according to Jean Philbert Nsengimana, the minister for youth and ICT in Rwanda who said the project was no longer a dream in the northern corridor.

"Within one month of implementation the number of calls coming from Rwanda to Uganda increased by 400 percent. Today, that number has increased to 800 percent," Nsengimana reported.

Rebecca Joshua Okwachi, the minister of telecommunication and postal services in South Sudan, said the One Area Network has made a difference in her country.

"Today we are able to communicate between Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda and South Sudan. The roaming charges have been removed, the traffic has increased and a lot has happened in terms of communication. It is an indication of the revolution of how ICT is impacting our lives," she said.