Frehiwot Tamru, CEO of Ethio Telecom, announced that the Telebirr mobile money application has facilitated transactions totaling 3.3 trillion Birr since its launch.
Ethio Telecom responded to public inquiries raised by members of the House of People's Representatives.
According to Meseret Haile, State Minister and Deputy Minister, the government's responsiveness to public inquiries is crucial for protecting citizens' rights and interests.
Members of the House of People's Representatives are presenting questions gathered from their constituents during Kiremt (the rainy season) to various institutions and receiving responses.
Six institutions, including the Ethiopian Electric Power, have appeared before the House to answer public questions.
Ethio Telecom's significant contribution to fostering competitiveness in the country's economic growth was highlighted.
The public raised concerns regarding service quality and accessibility.
In response, Frehiwot Tamru stated that Ethio Telecom is continuously upgrading its services, expanding its customer base, and digitalizing its offerings to provide numerous new services.
She noted that since 2018, several reforms have been implemented, including the launch of Telebirr using 4G and 5G technology, laying the foundation for a digital Ethiopia. Telebirr has processed 3.3 trillion Birr in transactions since its inception.
The advanced technologies not only expand telecom access but also improve service quality. Using these technologies, 295 new telecom expansion sites have been established in rural kebeles (the smallest administrative division).
While significant progress has been made in service provision, quality, and coverage in some rural kebeles, gaps remain. Fiber damage due to development and other factors, as well as power outages, contribute to service quality issues in some rural areas. Lack of network infrastructure also hinders service accessibility in certain locations.
Efforts are underway to address power supply challenges using solar power and generators. Ethio Telecom is building new sites in areas lacking network infrastructure to expand service reach, ENA reported.
Frehiwot Tamru emphasized Ethio Telecom's commitment to achieving the goals of Digital Ethiopia 2025. The company plans to build an additional 1,298 mobile sites in the current budget year.
Ethio Telecom, a long-standing institution with a 130-year history, now serves over 80 million customers.