Mobile phone subscribers have reached over 6.7 million, with 63.7 per cent of the population able to access a mobile phone, according to the latest figures from Rwanda Utilities Regulatory Agency (Rura).

This is an increase from over 5.9 million (55.1 per cent) recorded in the last quarter. MTN still dominates with 3,636,976 subscribers followed by Tigo with 2,099,807 and Airtel at 973,000 subscribers. Rura projects the number will shoot up to seven million subscribers by December.

Mobile phones have become powerful tools, especially with a new wave of applications and 'mash-ups' of services, driven by high-speed networks, social networking, online crowd sourcing and innovation, which are helping transform the lives of people of billions of users. There are an estimated six billion mobile phone users globally.