MTN Uganda was last week named winner of the Rural Services Award at the Second AfricaCom Awards in Cape Town, South Africa.

The telecom service provider was recognised for MTN Google SMS, a field-based programme based on an innovative partnership that combines the resources and experience of MTN- the Grameen Foundation and Google.

The award recognises an initiation taken by an operator or telecommunications solutions vendor, which has 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.

The MTN Google SMS software was launched in June 2009 and since then, it has attracted more than 1.7 million hits. The application offers five mobile services, Farmer's Friend, Google Trader and health.

Mr Themba Khumalo, the MTN Uganda chief executive officer, said: "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."

MTN, Uganda launched MTN VillagePhone six years ago.