Tanzania aims to cover more than 80% of its population with broadband connectivity by 2025, as part of its digital transformation ambitions. To this end, the Tanzanian government wants to give more capacity to telecom operators.
Tanzanian telecommunications operators will soon be able to carry out trials on the fifth generation (5G) mobile network in Tanzania. Nape Nnauye, Minister of Information, Communications and Information Technology, said on Friday May 20 that the doors were now open to investors willing and able to invest in ultra-broadband .
The Minister invited investors who wish to invest in 5G to submit their applications, adding that the procedures to be followed would soon be made public. He also said that the government, through the Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA), was ready to offer spectrum to service providers who were ready for 5G trials.
Over the past two years, the demand for broadband connectivity has accelerated in Tanzania, driven in particular by the Covid-19 pandemic which has accelerated the digital transformation needs of populations and governments. Operators need more capacity to meet the growing demand for high-speed connectivity. In 2020, Vodacom had initiated discussions with the telecommunications regulator to invest in ultra-high speed.
This government initiative has been welcomed by Tanzanian telecom operators who see it as a way to accelerate Tanzania’s digital economy ambitions. 5G should also enable them to respond to growing digital demand and new consumption patterns such as smart homes and buildings, 3D video, streaming, telecommuting, cloud gaming, remote medical services, virtual reality, augmented reality. For the government, it should make it possible to achieve its objective “to cover 80% of Tanzanians with fast Internet by 2025” and to accelerate e-government.