Tanzania Prepares for Major Survey in ICT and Telecommunications

Published on: 25th May 2008

APA-Dar es Salaam (Tanzania) Plans are under way in Tanzania for a comprehensive survey of its information and communication technology infrastructure (ICT).

According to the Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA), the study will help establish the extent of the market, the optimum number of operators in the sector and the rationale for further opening of the market in future.

Already, the authority has invited consultancy firms to bid for the study, which will also consider the increase of competition in some segments and the lack of competition in other segments of the local market, and the recognition of the increased ICT role in the country's social, economic and culture development.

The study will focus on the economic legal and technical aspects of the industry, then identify the factors necessary for its take-off and give recommendations.

The study will also look at dynamism in the ICT sector, the impact of convergence on the local market, and significant changes of the communications sector over the past few years, which have seen new players enter the market with introduction of new technologies and services.

ICT in Tanzania is not integrated. Several institutions have fibre-optic cables, but work independently, leaving the nation to rely on satellites for communications.

Until the Eastern Africa Submarine Cable System (EASSy) fibre optic cable is commissioned, the country- together with its neighbours - will continue using satellites.

Tanzania has currently five mobile telephone service providers; Zantel, Tigo, Vodacom, TTCL and Celtel. While TTCL and Zantel, also provide fixed line telephones.

 

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