MTN Uganda Wednesday night scooped the Best Solution for Rural Services award at the second AfricaCom Awards announced in Cape Town during the 2009 AfricaCom conference. MTN Uganda was recognised for MTN Google SMS, the field-based programme based on an innovative partnership that strategically combines the resources and experience of MTN, the Grameen Foundation and Google. The award recognises an initiative taken by an operator or telecommunications solutions vendor which has significantly improved access to telecoms in a rural area in Africa. Entrants had to describe the initiative's objectives, scope and scale, how it was technically implemented and which particular challenges were overcome. Judges also took into consideration what effects the initiative had on rural markets in terms of coverage and service uptake. Launched in June 2009, the MTN Google SMS software application offers five mobile services, including Farmer’s Friend, a searchable database with both agricultural advice and targeted weather forecasts; Google Trader, which matches buyers and sellers of agricultural produce, commodities and other products. In addition, there’s Health Tips which provides sexual and reproductive health information, paired with Clinic Finder, which helps locate nearby health clinics and their services. Says MTN Uganda CEO, Mr. Themba Khumalo: "We are proud of and encouraged by this recognition from our industry which acknowledges MTN Uganda and indeed MTN Group's efforts to make a significant contribution to improve access to telecommunications and empower communities on the continent." Since its launch, Google SMS has already attracted more than 1,7 million hits with a daily average of 12800 hits to its rural services on health and agriculture. MTN Uganda launched MTN VillagePhone six years ago, another award-winning initiative that continues to support improved access to telecommunications in rural Uganda. Says MTN Group Executive, Corporate Affairs, Ms Nozipho January-Bardill: "MTN Uganda constantly innovates and deserves the recognition. We believe MTN Google SMS addresses an important need in under-serviced communities and opens up opportunities for trade and access to critical information." MTN Uganda continues to develop the service with further features including local language support for Luganda launched in July 2009. Issued by MTN Group Corporate Affairs