In a release published on February 24, 2016, mobile operator Lumitel, Viettel’s Burundian subsidiary, announced the launching of its 4G network in six of the country’s provinces. These are Bujumbura, Gitega, Ngozi, Rumonge Makamba and Muyinga, telegeography.com reports.

With this new network, Lumitel introduces customers to a new range of mobile internet services with speeds of up to 100Mbps. Burundian populations will thus be able to access a set of services with added value, and subsequently improve their lives. With 4G, Lumitel who rivals with Econet Leo, Tempo Africell, Onatel and Smart Mobile in Burundi has achieved the goal it set in 2014, namely, becoming the Burundi’s leading operator.

In an interview granted to Saigon Times in 2014, Vitte’sl deputy director general, Lê Dang Dung, said the group was fully committed to develop investment opportunities in Burundi, despite the nation being one of the poorest worldwide. During its first month of activity, Lumitel already had 600,000 users.

Still aiming to become Burundi’s top operator, Lumitel decided to establish 5,000 km of fiber optic across the country. The infrastructure which will facilitate access to high-speed internet, should also allow the country to speed up the implementation of its digital government project.