Viettel's brand in Burundi wins world technology award.

The World Communication Awards (WCA) are considered the "Oscars of the telecommunications industry." The "Best Operator in a Growth Market" category honored Lumitel.

Viettel , represented by Lumitel in Burundi, has just been named at the World Communication Awards (WCA) in the category of "Best Mobile Operator in a Growing Market."

This victory not only marks international recognition for a Vietnamese enterprise, but also opens a long story about the journey of eliminating signal gaps, building connections, and earning gratitude from the President of Burundi himself.

In the red soil highlands of Burundi, where dirt roads stretch like thin threads across the valleys, there were once areas where telephones were merely decorative, and mobile phone coverage was a luxury. When the sun set, darkness enveloped everything, not only due to the lack of light, but also because of the lack of connectivity infrastructure.

Now, areas once considered "white zones" have brightened up the East African telecommunications map, thanks to the persistent efforts of Lumitel - a telecommunications brand belonging to Viettel.

Affirmation

The World Communication Awards (WCA), considered the "Oscars of the telecommunications industry," have been organized by Total Telecom (UK) for over 25 years. The "Best Operator in a Growth Market" category is one of the most fiercely competitive, with rigorous evaluation criteria: infrastructure expansion capabilities in challenging markets, social impact, technological innovation, and the sustainability of the business model.

Viettel's victory in this category was no accident. It was the result of 12 years of the Vietnamese company's dedication to one of Africa's poorest markets, where electricity only reached about 10-35% of the population when Viettel first arrived.

Viettel Burundi CEO, Mr. Phan Truong Son, commented that the award category to which the company was honored "accurately reflects the journey that Lumitel - Viettel's brand in Burundi - has persistently pursued over the past 12 years: bringing technology to areas once considered beyond the reach of telecommunications infrastructure."

He stated that when Viettel began deploying its network, the national power grid only covered 10-35% of the population, with many border areas completely without signal. "Through our commitment to long-term development and our philosophy of 'connecting to serve,' we have contributed to bringing millions of Burundi people into the digital age and become the first network operator to launch 5G in the country. The WCA award is well-deserved recognition for this pioneering effort to ensure no one is left behind," he emphasized.

WCA – with the rigor of a global playing field – not only recognizes Lumitel as a leading network operator in a growing market, but also signifies Vietnam's presence on the world technology map through its perseverance, responsibility, and pioneering spirit.

Lumitel's journey

When Viettel first arrived in Burundi more than a decade ago, it was a market with virtually no infrastructure. Many areas had no signal, no electricity, and not even maps to locate base stations. Viettel's technical teams had to walk dozens of kilometers, and in some places, they had to hire locals to carry equipment over mountains and through forests because pickup trucks couldn't reach those areas.

The first BTS stations were erected in rudimentary conditions, sometimes requiring the entire team to use flashlights all night to complete the installation before a heavy rainstorm hit. This context raised a question that many had doubted: could a Vietnamese telecommunications company survive in such a challenging environment?

But those initial challenges became the foundation for Lumitel's rise. After only six months in business, the company rose to the number one position in the market – a speed unprecedented in Viettel's history of international investment.

In the years that followed, its leading position was steadily strengthened. Lumitel's infrastructure expanded so rapidly that in just the last two years, 4G coverage has tripled, opening up connectivity opportunities for millions of people living in remote areas.

The lives of the people of Burundi have changed dramatically since the arrival of Lumitel. (Photo: Viettel)

Areas previously untouched by internet connectivity can now make video calls, online learning, and digital payments thanks to Lumitel's network. Currently, Viettel's brand has reached 95% of Burundi's population. The rollout of 5G has placed Burundi among the rare African nations possessing next-generation infrastructure, opening up opportunities to narrow the development gap with stronger economies in the region.

Lumitel's growth stems not only from infrastructure investment but also from increasingly deep partnerships with the government and international organizations. Viettel has partnered with the World Bank on the PAFEN project to expand network coverage in border areas and key transportation routes, enabling safer travel and more convenient trade. Hundreds of schools, medical centers, and government online connection points have been provided with free internet access through Lumitel's sponsorship, enabling public services and education to reach even the most remote areas of Burundi.

In addition, Lumitel collaborates with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to provide free SIM cards and e-wallets to refugees, while also implementing various humanitarian activities such as providing clean water, supporting impoverished households, and improving community playgrounds. In Burundi, Lumitel appears not just as a business, but as a partner contributing to the country's reconstruction.

The highest recognition for those contributions came in April 2025, when Burundi President Évariste Ndayishimiye visited Viettel Group in Hanoi. In his speech, he said something that moved many Viettel leaders: "I thank Viettel for choosing Burundi to invest in right when we began our journey of national reconstruction."

He affirmed that in Burundi, when you mention telecommunications, you mention Lumitel. The President expressed his hope that Viettel will continue to expand its coverage so that people everywhere can connect, and also hoped that Vietnamese businesses would work alongside the Government in the plan to digitize all state agencies.

Looking back over its more than 11-year journey, Lumitel has not only become a driving force in Burundi's telecommunications development but has also contributed over $286 million to the national budget – a figure that demonstrates the pivotal role of this Vietnamese enterprise in the market. From its early days setting up base stations in the mountains to the moment it received thanks from the President of Burundi, Lumitel has transformed from a new network operator into a symbol of change.

And that journey continues to this day.

(Vietnam+)

Source: https://www.vietnamplus.vn/thuong-hieu-cua-viettel-tai-burundi-chien-thang-giai-thuong-cong-nghe-the-gioi-post1082710.vnp