(Ecofin Agency) - Roke Telkom announced it has reached a deal with Facebook to launch a new Internet service program called Roke Express Wi-Fi. It aims to provide millions of Ugandans with high-speed Internet access at a lower cost.
Roger Sekaziga, Roke Telkom's CEO, said that " The Roke Express Wi-Fi is a more scalable service network that will enable us to increase the number of access points to the internet, improve our deployment scale and enhance efficiency to over 600 Rokespots [name of the company's hotspots].” He added that with this new Internet program, Roke Telkom is now able to offer a more diverse set of services, including promotional offers.
Roke Telkom's partnership with Facebook is part of the Express Wi-Fi program initiated five years ago by the American company. Already available in many African countries, including Tanzania, Kenya, Ghana, and recently Uganda, the program aims to provide local entrepreneurs and remote communities with affordable Internet services.
Facebook believes that Wi-Fi is currently the best way to bring the Internet to those most in need. The technology does not require the kind of high investment that is required to deploy fiber-optic networks.