Augere Brings Broadband to Heart of Africa With Rwandan Expansion

LONDON, August 23, 2011 /PRNewswire/ --

Emerging Market Broadband Provider Augere Expands African Operation With Launch of Rwandan Broadband Network and Acquisition of Tanzanian Spectrum License

Augere, the experts in delivering fast, reliable broadband to emerging markets, is delighted to announce the expansion of its operations in East Africa.

On 25/11/2011 Augere, operating under the brand name QUBEE, will be commercially launching its purpose built WiMAX wireless broadband network in Kigali, Rwanda.

QUBEE will offer fast and reliable broadband Internet access to the people of Rwanda, and will further support the economic development of the area, creating significant new opportunities.

In addition, Augere is pleased to announce that on 01/06/2011 it obtained a spectrum license to offer wireless broadband services in Tanzania.  This new license further expands Augere's coverage in the region and adds to Uganda (where a successful test network is already in place) and Rwanda.

Commenting on these two announcements, David Venn, Global CEO of Augere said. "This is an exciting time for Augere.  We are at the forefront of the broadband revolution in emerging markets, and the launch in Rwanda and the new license in Tanzania greatly increase the opportunities for people in the region and for the Augere business".

Manzurul Alam, CEO of Augere East Africa also commented, "We are delighted to be bringing this new broadband service to Rwanda, and for the opportunity to begin preparations for our launch in Tanzania.  I would like to thank the regulators in Uganda, Rwanda and Tanzania for the opportunity to bring fast and reliable broadband to the region."

About Augere:

Augere was established in September 2007 by an experienced team of global telecoms executives with the vision of delivering 'broadband for all'. It is committed to achieving this through the delivery of fast, reliable broadband internet services in emerging markets using wireless networks.

Augere has an established leadership team in place with over 150 years experience in the telecommunications industry. Since its formation, the Company has successfully raised more than $250m of finance. Augere's principal shareholders include Harbinger Capital, France Telecom, New Silk Route and Vedanta Opportunity Fund as well as its founder, Sanjiv Ahuja.

Augere currently has access to spectrum in Pakistan, Bangladesh, the states of Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh in India, Uganda, Rwanda and Tanzania. Access to additional spectrum is being actively pursued across Africa and Asia.

Augere's first commercial wireless network was launched under the Qubee brand in Pakistan in July 2009. This was closely followed by the Bangladesh network in October 2009. By mid 2011 Augere was operating wireless networks comprising more than 650 radio base stations and serving over 100,000 broadband customers.

Callum Laidlaw, +44-20-7300-6136