Tanzania, located in East Africa, is characterised by its diverse geography, which includes highland areas and the coastal lowlands, along with the Great Rift Valley. This geographical diversity presents challenges to technology and telecommunication infrastructure. The population of approximately 63 million is unevenly distributed, with notable concentrations in Dar es Salaam, the coastal economic hub, and the capital city, Dodoma. The rural areas, home to nearly 70% of the population, struggle with limited technological and telecommunication access. Lake Victoria, Africa's largest lake, presents a unique territory where innovative solutions are tested; for example, the use of solar-powered floating cell towers to provide telecommunication services. Tanzania's technology and telecommunication sectors are still developing, with low internet penetration rate of 32% (2023) and power grid reliability issues. In response to these challenges, there has been an upsurge in off-grid renewable energy solutions, such as solar power systems, particularly in rural areas.
Mobile Network Operators
The are 7 companies operating mobile networks in this region.
Halotel is a mobile communications company operating in Tanzania, providing voice, messaging, data and communication services across the nation. The company was launched in October 2015 by Viettel Global JSC, a state-owned Investment Company from Vietnam. Halotel was the first company in Tanzania permitted to lay its own fibre optic cable, establishing a broad network that covers all 26 regions of the country.
Viettel Global JSC began investing in Tanzania in 2011, following a state visit to Vietnam by then president Jakaya Kikwete. The Vietnamese company's entry into the Tanzanian market...
Tigo Tanzania is a telecommunications company that began operations in Tanzania in 1994, following the liberalisation of the telecommunication sector in the country in 1993. It was initially known as Mobitel and was the result of a joint venture between Millicom International Cellular, Ultimate Communications Limited of Tanzania and Tanzania Posts and Telecommunications Corporation. The company launched Tanzania's first cellular service and later expanded to offer pre-paid services and subscription-free Internet services.
In 2004, Millicom International Cellular took over the majority stake...
Tanzania Telecommunications Corporation, formerly known as Tanzania Telecommunications Company Limited (TTCL), is the oldest and largest fixed line telecommunications company in Tanzania. The company was established in 1993, following the split of the Tanzania Posts and Telecommunications Corporation. TTCL was wholly owned by the Government of Tanzania until the partial privatisation of the company on 23 February 2001. TTCL is governed by the Tanzania Telecommunications Act of 1993 and is the licensee for fixed basic telephone services in Tanzania mainland and Zanzibar.
The company underwent...
Vodacom Tanzania Limited, a leading cellular network company in Tanzania, was established in December 1999 as a subsidiary of the Vodacom Group based in South Africa. The company was licensed to operate a GSM cellular network in Tanzania, marking it as the third licensed network operator in the country. Its rapid growth led it to become the largest mobile communications network operator in Tanzania within a year of its launch.
The initial ownership structure of Vodacom Tanzania was a joint venture, with the Vodacom Group holding approximately 65 percent and the remaining 35 percent owned by...
Zantel is a telecommunications company that operates within Tanzania. Established in 1999, it serves as a key player in the Tanzanian telecommunications sector. The company's ownership is a joint venture, with Millicom International Cellular and the Government of Tanzania holding a significant stake.