CAPE TOWN, South Africa, November 8, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

A Joint Realization of Global Voice Group and SGS Société Générale de Surveillance for the Rwanda Utility Regulatory Agency

Global Voice Group (GVG) and SGS Société Générale de Surveillance are proud to announce that the International Gateway Traffic Verification System (IGTVS), commissioned by the Rwanda Utility Regulatory Agency (RURA) earlier this year, is now fully operational.

This successful rolling-out represents the outcome of a procurement process that began in November 2011 with an international tender issued by the RURA for a system "that would enhance their technical capacity to effectively exercise their regulatory mandate". The bid was won by a consortium made of GVG and Switzerland-based leader in inspection and verification services, Société Générale de Surveillance (SGS), both sector members of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).

In March 2011, the consortium entered into an agreement with the RURA to implement a comprehensive data solution that would allow the latter to independently audit and monitor the networks in Rwanda for a number of purposes, including: traffic measurement, accurate billing, quality of service assessment, market surveillance, interconnection dispute resolution, and fraud management.

RURA's IGTVS: A Regulatory Approach Based on Real-Time Data

According to RURA's Director, Mr. Regis Gatarayiha: "The International Gateway Traffic Verification System really came at the right time and gave us the capabilities we needed to have a clear visibility on the international calls being terminated in the country. Three months after the successful implementation, we have already seen the benefits it brings to us as a regulator and to Rwanda in General."

By implementing the IGTVS, the Republic of Rwanda and its regulatory authority adopt a proactive approach to regulation based on ICT tools and real-time data collection. As part of a broader modernization process of governance, a growing number of telecom regulators are following or envision following the path opened by Rwanda and other African countries.

As a powerful ICT platform used to monitor and enforce compliance with Rwanda's Regulations pertaining to domestic and international interconnections, the IGTVS is expected to generate significant additional revenue for both the State and the local operators. The new platform also empowers the RURA to effectively intervene in two key areas: the elimination of fraudulent grey traffic and the overall improvement of the quality of service delivered to end-users in Rwanda.

Rwanda Ranks High in World Bank's List of Business-Friendly Countries

The 2013 World Bank Doing Business Report ranks Rwanda as the third easiest place in which to do business in Sub-Saharan Africa and as the best performing country in East Africa. Rwanda achieved this high ranking by consistently developing a regulatory environment that is favorable to the creation and operation of new businesses in the country. A number of these important reforms were brought about through Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs), such as the regulation on interconnections that led to the implementation of the IGTVS.

About GVG

Founded in 1998, GVG develops and implements interconnection management platforms specifically designed with the telecoms regulators in mind. Its advanced traffic and fraud management systems are currently being used successfully in seven countries.

About SGS

SGS is the world's leading inspection, verification, testing and certification company. SGS is recognized as the global benchmark for quality and integrity. With more than 70,000 employees, SGS operates a network of over 1,350 offices and laboratories around the world.