Airtel commits to network expansion

DAR ES SALAAM: AIRTEL Tanzania is committed to advancing network expansion in the country to provide reliable and efficient communication services in the country, its Managing Director, Dinesh Balsingh has said.

He said during the Tax Investment Forum in Dar es Salaam recently that “Airtel Tanzania has constructed 30 new communication towers to advance the goal to rollout 758 towers in rural Tanzania as part of a strategic collaboration with the government-led Universal Communications Service Access Fund (UCSAF).

Mr Balsingh advocated for the government to reconsider the taxation on mobile devices, a move that would significantly enhance smartphone penetration and, in turn, substantially improve the livelihoods of the populace.

Reflecting on recent policy reforms, Mr Balsingh applauded the removal of the airtime levy and significant reductions in right-ofway charges and billboard fees in July last year.

These reforms, he emphasised, serve as catalysts for expanding fiber coverage, enhancing market visibility, and facilitating broader outreach.

He further underscored the significance of telecommunications as the bedrock of innovation, stressing its role in fostering financial inclusion and democratising access to formal financial services.

He further emphasised tax reconsiderations on mobile money cash-out services to serve rural communities specifically on withdrawal charges.

Citing the GSMA report on Mobile Tax Policy and Digital Development, Mr Balsingh noted that 72 per cent of Tanzanians utilise mobile money services, showcasing the pivotal role of technology in expanding financial accessibility.

In his call to action, Mr Balsingh urged collaborative action and visionary policymaking to unlock the full potential of the ICT sector.

He insisted on the importance of initiatives like VAT exemptions on smart devices to bridge the gap between infrastructure and utilisation, echoing UNICEF’s findings on the cost of smartphone acquisition as a significant barrier to internet usage.

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