The planned entry of India’s telecoms giant Bharti Airtel into the Rwandan market early next year is expected to usher in a new era of competition and lower mobile tariffs as the government seeks to boost wireless penetration in the country, according to The East African

“I expect more competition because their business model in markets where there are operating in the region has been low tariffs and high volumes,” Sam Nkusi, chairman of Altech Stream Rwanda, a company that deals in broadband network, told The EastAfrican.

Mr Nkusi noted that Airtel’s philosophy of lower tariffs would enhance mobile penetration specially in rural areas.

“If they do it like they have done it in other markets, they will not only lower tariffs but also increase coverage to my grandmother,” he quipped.

Bharti’s investment pledge of over $100 million over the next three years earned it a new mobile licence in Rwanda last week. The firm, with operations in Kenya and Tanzania, becomes Rwanda’s third mobile operator.