3.4 Tanzania Telecommunications
Telecommunications in Tanzania is regulated by the Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA) under the Tanzania Communications Regulatory Act (2003). In 2015, the Government of Tanzania enacted the Cybercrimes Act and the Electronic Transactions Act. The objective of these two Acts is to improve the confidence of financial institutions in ICT since the law is addressing e-services and cyber defense. (TCRA, 2016)
Authority in charge Fax and Telephone Website and Email
The director general, Fax: +255 22 2116664 Email: [email protected]
Tanzania communication regulatory authority (TCRA), Tel: +255 22 2118947 - 52 Website: tcra.go.tz
Mawasiliano towers,20 sam nujoma road,P. O. Box 474, Mob: +255 784558270 Tel:
14414 dar es salaam Tanzania Director General Direct Line +255 22 2199769
There are 8 telecommunication operators in Tanzania: the government-owned Tanzania Telecommunication Company Limited (TTCL), the privately- owned companies Airtel Tanzania, Smart Telecom, Vietel Tanzania Limited (Halotel), MIC Tanzania Limited (Tigo), Vodacom Tanzania, SMILE, and Zanzibar Telecom Limited (Zantel).
There is a regulation regarding procedures/restrictions on registering sim cards/ mobile numbers in Tanzania and they are very strictly implemented by the Authority. For example, the registration should be recorded in an electronic system and the client who wants to register sim cards or mobile number must have identification cards such as a national ID, Zanzibar Residence ID, Voter’s ID, Passport or Driving License. Every 3 months, the authority is conducting an inspection at the telecommunication companies.
Telephone Services
Is there an existing landline telephone network? Yes
Does it allow international calls? Yes
Number and Length of Downtime Periods (on average) -
Mobile Phone Providers TIGO, VODACOM, ZANTEL, AIRTEL, HALOTEL,SMILE, TTCL and SMART
Approximate Percentage of National Coverage Population coverage approximation of 90%for 2G services
Telecommunications Regulations
The Tanzanian telecommunications sector is governed by the Telecommunications Policy (1997), the Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) Policy (2003), the Information Broadcasting Policy (2003) and the Postal Policy (2003). These policies also regulate the importation and licensing of humanitarian communications equipment, namely VSAT, HF, VHF and Thuraya.
Regulations on Usage and Import
Regulations in Place? Regulating Authority
Satellite Yes TCRA
HF Radio Yes TCRA
UHF/VHF/HF Radio: Handheld, Base and Mobile Yes TCRA
UHF/VHF Repeaters Yes TCRA
GPS No n/a
VSAT Yes TCRA
Individual Network Operator Licenses Required
Yes, there is regulation which allow the individual network operator licenses.
Frequency Licenses Required
Yes, there is regulation which allow the frequency licenses.
Existing Humanitarian Telecoms Systems
Page 1 There are existing humanitarian telecoms systems managed by International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), World Food Program (WFP) and The World Bank Group (WBG).
Existing UN Telecommunication Systems
WBG WFP MSF ICRC
VHF Frequencies - Yes Yes Yes
HF Frequencies - - - -
Locations of Repeaters - Yes Yes Yes
VSAT Yes Yes yes yes
Internet Service Providers (ISPs)
The Tanzania Internet Service Provider Association (TISPA) is a non-profit association of internet service providers operating in Tanzania. TIPSA strives to bring together the internet community to collectively make the internet accessible to as many Tanzanians as possible. They are the founders of the Dar es Salaam Internet eXchange point (commonly known as TIX) based in Dar es Salaam. (TIX, 2016).
Members of TISPA are: Africaonline, Afsat Communication Ltd., Alink Ltd., Benson Informatics Ltd. (BOL), Cats-Net, Costech, Satcom Network, SimbaNet, Star Tel Ltd., TTCL, University Computing Centre, Vizada Network, Vodacom Ltd., WiA Co. Ltd., Zee Communications Ltd., Zantel, MIC Ltd., Selcom Broadband Ltd., Six Telecoms Company Limited, Arusha Node Marie (ANM), Arusha Art Ltd (CyberNet), Alldean Satellite Networks Ltd., Frank Habicht and Tembo World Ltd.
Another Internet service providers operating in Tanzania which are not in the association are Airtel Tanzania, Smart Telecom, Vietel Tanzania Limited (Halotel) and Vodacom Tanzania. (TCRA, 2017)
There are internet cafes in all major towns and wi-fi hotspots are widespread. Prices at internet cafes average Tsh 1000 to Tsh 2000 per hour. Speed varies greatly; truly fast connections are rare. The Internet access is very limited in rural areas.
Internet Service Providers
Are there ISPs available? Yes
If yes, are they privately or government owned? Both
Dial-up only? No
Approximate Rates (local currency and USD - $) Dial-up n/a
Broadband Information to be obtained from operators
Max Leasable ‘Dedicated’ Bandwidth Information to be obtained from operators
Mobile Network Operators (MNOs)
There are several mobile network operators in Tanzania and they are available in the whole country. The coverage area for the mobile networks is large as can be seen from the table below.
For information on MNOs please visit the GSM Association website.
Company # of Agent Network Contracted for Humanitarian or Services Offered (i.e. Merchant Payment, Bulk Disbursement, Outlets by Strength Government Cash Transfer Receive & Make Payment) Area by Area Programmes?
VODACOM 100% 3G & 4G LTE No 3G Data Card, 3G USB Modem, VodaFASTA, Toll-free, Mobile Money, Internet services, Foreign Vouchers, Tshs Vouchers and Corporate talk, pay bill
TTCL 100% 3G & 4G LTE Yes (USCAF) Voice product (landline and fixed mobile), Data product(internet), transfer money, pay bill
AIRTEL 100% 3G & 4G LTE No Network services, GSM related products, Internet services, Mobile money, transfer money and pay bill
TIGO 100% 3G & 4G LTE No Voice product, data product, messaging, mobile money, pay bill
Page 2 ZANTEL 55% 3G & 4G LTE No Mobile money, data services
HALOTEL 100% 3G & 4G LTE No Internet services, mobile money, network services
Disclaimer: Inclusion of company information in the LCA does not imply any business relationship between the supplier and WFP / Logistics Cluster, and is used solely as a determinant of services, and capacities.
Please note: WFP / Logistics Cluster maintain complete impartiality and are not in a position to endorse, comment on any company's suitability as a reputable service provider.
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