The link will complement two existing cables between Kabala and Mombasa providing Uganda with redundancy and reliable connectivity, according to Engineering News.
“The extension of the MTN Uganda fibre will act as a catalyst for economic development and will support the Ugandan government to further leverage on the existing regional partnerships in the areas of trade and industry,” Information Communication Technologies Minister Ruhakana Rugunda, told reporters.
MTN Uganda CEO, Mazen Mroué, said the fibre system would substantially improve connectivity between Uganda and its neighbouring countries.
Engineering News said MTN Uganda had invested more than $80 million in the country in 2012 rolling out 600km of fibre-optic backbone. This brought its total footprint to 2,800km, while the carrier also installed 81 additional mobile sites.
MTN plans to roll out an LTE network in the country in the coming months and to provide wider 3G coverage.
