Lumitel - Burundi

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Lumitel
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Burundi Flag of Burundi View country details


Lumitel (Burundi) uses 2 GSM bands, 1 UMTS band, and 1 LTE band. Find out if your unlocked phone or mobile device will work with Lumitel (Burundi). See the tables below for details.

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Carrier website: https://lumitel.bi/

Last updated: 2024/08/05 - See latest updates

Lumitel Burundi is a mobile communications company that provides a range of services including voice, messaging, data, and communication services in Burundi. It is owned by Viettel Global JSC, a state-owned investment company from Vietnam that invests in telecommunications markets globally. Lumitel was founded in 2013 and launched its services in May 2015, quickly becoming the largest operator in Burundi within a month of its operation.

Key Services and Features

  • Internet Packages: Lumitel offers international roaming services, allowing customers to stay connected while traveling abroad using the same SIM card and number.
  • 4G LTE Network: Lumitel began setting up a 4G LTE system in Burundi in 2016, enhancing data services for its users.
  • Mobile Wallet: The company operates a mobile wallet service called Lumicash, which was introduced in 2017.
  • Lottery Service: Lumitel also offers a lottery system called Lumiloto, launched in 2021.

Coverage and Network

Lumitel's mobile network coverage includes 2G, 3G, 4G, and 5G services. The company's coverage extends to various regions in Burundi, including Bujumbura, Muyinga, Ruyigi, Gitega, Ngozi, Rutana, Bururi, Makamba, Kayanza, Muramvya, Cibitoke, Bubanza, Karuzi, Cankuzo, and Kirundo.

User Base and Operations

As of 2021, Lumitel serves over 3 million users and operates more than 25,000 sales locations, employing approximately 43,000 sellers. Its main competitor is Econet Leo.

Data Collection and Updates

The coverage and performance data for Lumitel's network are collected through tests conducted by users of the nPerf app. These tests are conducted in real conditions and are used to update the network coverage maps hourly and speed maps every 15 minutes. The data is displayed for two years, with the oldest data being removed once a month.

Frequency Bands

GSM

Name Interface Description
900 MHz (E-GSM) GSM

Lumitel Burundi uses the GSM 900 MHz band, specifically the Extended GSM (E-GSM) frequency range. The E-GSM band operates from 880 MHz to 960 MHz, with the uplink frequency range from 880 MHz to 915 MHz and the downlink frequency range from 925 MHz to 960 MHz. This band is primarily used for voice and basic data services, offering reliable coverage and compatibility with analog systems.
1800 MHz (DCS) GSM

Lumitel Burundi uses the GSM 1800 MHz (DCS) frequency band. This band operates within the 1.8 GHz frequency range, specifically with an uplink frequency range of 1710–1785 MHz and a downlink frequency range of 1805–1880 MHz. The GSM 1800 MHz band was introduced in 1991 as an extension of the GSM standard and is primarily used in Europe, Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and Australia. It offers reduced signal interference and greater channel availability compared to the more crowded 900 MHz and 1800 MHz bands used by GSM. The band provides services such as voice communication, text messaging (SMS), and basic data communications, utilizing modulation schemes like Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) and Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum (FHSS).

UMTS

Name Interface Description
B1 (2100 MHz) UMTS

Lumitel Burundi uses the frequency band UMTS B1 (2100 MHz) for its mobile services. The deployment of this band is not specified in the provided information.

LTE

Name Interface Description
B3 (1800 MHz +) LTE

Lumitel Burundi uses the LTE B3 frequency band, which operates at 1800 MHz. This band is widely used globally for LTE and supports affordable devices due to large economies of scale and amortization. The deployment of this band in Burundi began in 2016, when Lumitel started setting up its 4G LTE system.

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