By Mark Kawalya
Canalbox Uganda has launched it internet services, officially entering the Ugandan broadband market. The company is backed by Group Vivendi Africa (GVA), a subsidiary of Vivendi that is dedicated to expanding internet access throughout Africa. The initiative aims to connect 500,000 households in Kampala and Wakiso within the next three to four years, greatly improving internet penetration in Uganda.
The company has introduced two fiber optic internet plans: Start (50 Mbps) and Premium (200 Mbps). The Start plan is suitable for basic internet needs. The Premium plan caters to heavy users, such as gamers and those who frequently download large files.
A notable feature of Canalbox Uganda’s offerings is their competitive pricing. The Start plan now costs 110,000 UGX per month, reduced from 130,000 UGX, while the Premium plan is priced at 200,000 UGX per month, down from 380,000 UGX. These rates are considerably lower than the prevailing market prices for fiber optic internet in Uganda.
Jean-François Duboy, Managing Director of GVA, said the company’s mission is to make broadband internet accessible through fiber connections. He highlighted that Canalbox’s attractive pricing, speed, and value will significantly enable Ugandan households access high-speed internet.
“With a speed of 200 Mbps for only Shs200,000, we believe it will be a game-changer. Canalbox will enable many Ugandan families to connect to high-speed internet at home,” he said.
Julius Kayoboke, CEO of GVA, noted that when they entered the Ugandan market, only 30,000 homes had fiber internet, compared to 600,000 in Kenya. In the past 11 months, they have connected 5,000 homes, with a goal of reaching 500,000 homes in Kampala over the next three to four years.
Canalbox Uganda’s fiber optic plans offer high speed and reliability. Fiber optics use light pulses to transmit data, providing faster and more dependable service compared to traditional internet options. This makes their plans ideal for businesses, homes, and schools that require stable internet for activities such as streaming and video conferencing.
However Canalbox Uganda imposes data caps on all their plans. The Start plan has a monthly data cap of 50GB, while the Premium plan allows for 100GB per month. Users exceeding these limits will incur additional charges.
At the launch event, Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa praised the company’s entry into the market, saying, “The arrival of such a significant player in Uganda reflects confidence in our government’s business-friendly policies. I commend GVA for their progress and look forward to their continued expansion, which will enhance broadband internet availability in Uganda as it has in other African nations.”
