Photo taken on Feb. 28, 2019 shows an image of a rocket when Rwanda launched its 1st satellite to improve internet service, in Kigali, capital of Rwanda. (Xinhua/Lyu Tianran)

KIGALI, April 16 (Xinhua) -- The Internet penetration rate in Rwanda has increased to 52.1 percent at the end of 2018 from 7.9 percent in 2010, the country's regulatory authority said on Monday.

Internet service subscription increased from 821,504 in 2010 to 6,149,425 in 2018, Rwanda Utilities Regulatory Authority said in a report.

The increase is mainly attributed to flexible pricing of Internet bundles and affordability of internet enabled phones in the country, it said.

Rwanda has rolled out a fiber optic backbone network whereby 92 percent of the country is covered by 3G network, while 96.6 percent is able to access 4G LTE coverage, according to the Rwandan ICT ministry.