Over 36 ml Tanzanians access internet- TCRA

MWANZA: MAJORITY of Tanzanians access internet services through mobile phones, according to the Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA).

Speaking on the sidelines of the recently concluded 108th Training Conference for Government Information Officers organised by the Tanzania Broadcasting Corporation in Mwanza, TCRA’s Chief Communications Officer of TCRA, Mr Semu Mwakyanjala said that presence of smartphones in the country’s mobile phone market has enabled users to access internet services through their mobile phones.

Until December 2023, Mr Semu added, a number of internet users stood at approximately 35.9 million, being an increase of 4.1 per cent compared to only 34.8 million users reported in October last year.

He pointed out that the number of internet users using wireless devices installed in fixed locations is 8,315, while users using wired devices installed in fixed locations are 61,645.

Regarding the increase in internet service users per year, he stated that there has been an average increase of 9.78 percentage per year over the past five years. According to Semu, a number of internet users is growing steadily as he cited the year 2019 when Tanzania recorded only 25,794,560 users.

On his part, Mr Mohamed Janja Choum, Communications Officer for the University of Zanzibar (SUZA) said the number is growing rapidly because wananchi are exploiting economic opportunities brought by internet.

“Internet has been a reason for connecting communities; I believe this is why users have been increasing as everyone wants to be part of a community connected through the network using phones,” he noted.

TCRA issues quarterly reports on the progress of the communication sector to ensure stakeholders receive precise information.

The dossiers cover various aspects such as the quality of communication services, the volume of financial transactions conducted through mobile devices, advancements in the postal and courier communication sub-sectors, Internet services, and the broader trends in telecommunications nationwide.

These reports are accessible on the regulatory authority’s website. Established in 2003, the Authority is responsible for regulating electronic communications and postal services, encompassing the Internet, telephone, broadcasting, and postal operations.

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