Digital Tanzania project gets underway as the MNOs make use of additional released spectrum
Tanzania's mobile market enjoys effective competition, though the fixed-line sector remains largely controlled by the incumbent telco TTCL, which has struggled to gain subscribers. The company came under renewed government scrutiny in early 2023, which stimulated further investment in network infrastructure and upgrades.The government has encouraged foreign participation to promote economic growth and social development, and policy reforms have led to the country having one of the most liberal telecom sectors in Africa. The government has also sought to increase broadband penetration by a range of measures, including the reduction in VAT charged on the sale of smartphones and other devices, and reductions in the cost of data. Public opposition to a controversial tax on m-money transactions forced the government in mid-2022 to reduce charges.
The MNOs became the leading ISPs following the launch of mobile broadband services based on 3G and LTE technologies. Services based on 5G were launched in mid-2022 by Tigo and Vodacom as these operators hoped to generate revenue growth in the mobile data services market, given that the voice market is almost entirely prepaid, and voice ARPU continues to fall. The MNOs have collectively invested in network upgrades, which in turn has supported mobile data use, as well as in m-money transfer services and m-banking services. Together, these have become a fast-developing source of revenue. In addition, the MNOs have undertaken commitments to build towers aimed at serving areas of the country which lack connectivity as part of a wider national broadband program.
The landing of the first international submarine cables in the country some years ago revolutionised the telecom market, which up to that point had entirely depended on expensive satellite connections. Liquid Intelligent Technologies recently completed a terrestrial cable network linking the East and West coasts of Africa, with an important terminus at Dar es Salaam linking to three submarine cables. In parallel, the government aims to complete a national fibre backbone network, having signed an agreement by which the incumbent telco TTC can make use of the infrastructure of the national electric supply company Tanesco, and so extend broadband availability to 94% of the country.
The government continues to invest in the national backbone network, aiming to have 15,000km in service by the end of 2023, and to provide ongoing connectivity to more countries in the region.
Domestically, Vodacom Tanzania contracted Eutelsat to provide satellite broadband services to areas of Tanzania which lack connectivity, while Starlink has also applied for a license to deliver satellite broadband.
Key Developments:
Tanzania and DRC agree to share telecom infrastructure in a bid to improve investment and develop economic opportunities.Vodacom extends the reach of its M-mama health service in Tanzania and neighbouring countries.
Government reviews TTCL's business viability following a poor performance.
Tigo Tanzania launches 5G services with Ericsson as vendor.
Digital Tanzania project gets underway, potentially delivering mobile data service to 8.5 million people in underserved areas.
TTCL contracts Huawei to build an additional 1,520km to the national backbone network, connecting a further 23 districts.
Regulator concludes multi-spectrum auction, raising $187.5 million.
Starlink applies for a license to operate satellite broadband services.
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Table of Contents
- Key statistics
- Regional Africa Market Comparison
- Market characteristics
- Market Leaders
- Market Challengers
- Market Emergents
- TMI vs GDP
- Mobile and mobile broadband penetration
- Fixed versus mobile broadband penetration
- Country overview
- Telecommunications market
- Market analysis
- Regulatory environment
- Regulatory authority
- National Telecommunications Policy 1997
- National ICT Policy
- Regulatory overhaul
- Electronic and Postal Communication Act 2010
- Electronic and Postal Communications Regulations 2018
- Fixed-line developments
- Telecom sector liberalisation
- Converged licensing framework (CLF)
- International gateways
- Interconnection
- Universal Communication Services Access Fund (UCSAF)
- Foreign ownership restrictions
- Mobile network developments
- Mobile Number Portability (MNP)
- Quality of Service
- Spectrum auction - 2018
- Multi spectrum auction - 2022
- Tariffs
- International roaming
- Mobile Termination Rate (MTR)
- Network sharing
- SIM card registration
- Mobile market
- Market analysis
- Mobile statistics
- Mobile infrastructure
- 5G
- 4G (LTE)
- 3G
- Other infrastructure developments
- Mobile data services
- Mobile broadband
- Major mobile operators
- TTC Mobile
- Vodacom Tanzania
- Airtel Tanzania
- Tigo Tanzania
- Zanzibar Telecommunication (Zantel)
- Halotel (Viettel Tanzania)
- Mobile Virtual network Operators (MVNOs)
- Mobile content and applications
- M-money, m-banking
- M-health
- Fixed-line broadband market
- Introduction and statistical overview
- Broadband statistics
- Public internet access locations
- Tanzania Internet Exchange (TIX, AIXP)
- Broadband infrastructure
- Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) Networks
- Fibre-to-the-Premises (FttP)
- EV-DO
- Fixed wireless (WiMAX, WiBro, Wi-Fi)
- Satellite broadband
- Balloon broadband
- Digital economy
- E-health
- E-learning
- Fixed network operators
- TTCL
- Privatisation and exclusivity period 2000-2005
- SaskTel management contract 2007-2009
- Future direction
- Zantel
- Smart
- Telecommunications infrastructure
- TTCL's fixed-line network
- Wireless local loop (WLL)
- Private networks
- National fibre backbone
- International infrastructure
- Submarine fibre
- Satellite
- Terrestrial
- Appendix - Historic data
- Glossary of abbreviations
- Related reports
List of Tables
List of Charts
List of Exhibits
Companies Mentioned
- Tanzania Telecommunications Corporation (TTC)
- Zanzibar Telecommunications Corporation (Zantel)
- Vodacom Tanzania
- Bharti Airtel (Zain)
- Millicom (Tigo)
- Benson Informatics (BOL)
- Sasatel (Dovetel)
- Africa Online
- Raha.com
- Tele2
- Alink
- SatCom Networks
- SimbaNet
- Afsat
- Cats-Net
