The satellite was named ‘Icyerekezo ‘by the students from Nkombo Island (Groupe Secondairfe St Pierre Nkombo) which will be the first to benefit from the internet which will be brought by this satellite.
Different satellites were launched including ‘Icyerekezo’in Guyane in South America and surveyed by France .the satellites were launched by the help of a rocket called Soyouz which was made by Russians.
The ministry of ICT (Information and Technology) said that this is a great achievement our country has made since it is putting forth the use ICT mainly 4G LTE internet which is 96.6% of the country.
The minister of ICT and Innovation, Paula Ingabire highlighted that they are delighted to partner with One Web in this initiative which presents a huge opportunity to use satellite connectivity by using One Web’s constellation providing a low-latency and high –speed internet in schools of remote areas.
The Chairman in the ministry of ICT and Innovation, Gordon Karema said that One Web is investors who allowed to ally with Rwanda due to its vision.
“I would say that One Web Ltd is like our partner but the launching of ’Icyerekezo’ has brought friendship and good relationship .he added that supplying internet in those areas will start in June. One Web has a plan to be sending satellites every after 21 days sending 36 of them and when they are enough, the internet will start being supplied.” He said
“It is 16km to reach Nkombo from the land which will be costly to reach their internet by using fiber optics. Trying to count, this can take like $2M which is so expensive .though students in Nkombo were given laptops, they still didn’t have access to the internet,” says Karema
It is expected that this school will be given internet for free in a ten year’s period thus developing its education and helping the society to access IREMBO services.
Schools to benefit from the move
The Minister of education, Dr. Eugene Mutimura said that the partnership with One Web is a big chance to expand their activities so for the Internet to reach all schools of the country in the three years to come.
The satellites will be launched every after 21 days until they are enough to supply internet so another satellite is awaited for in June being made in collaboration with Japan.
“There are over 30 Rwandans studying about satellites in Japan and also others in Guyane and we are aiming much for Rwanda to step forward in ICT”.
Chairperson of One Web Ltd, Greg Wyler said that accessing the internet in schools is a good way to enable people to use the internet in the line it aims to,
“We appreciate the partnership with the government of Rwanda and Nkombo students. And this internet will help us reach our goals plus Rwanda to be a place of innovation in ICT.
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