Dar es Salaam. Starlink, the satellite internet service provider owned by Tesla billionaire Elon Musk, is poised to launch operations in Tanzania after officially applying for a license from the Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA).
The public notice, released on November 15, 2024, confirmed that Starlink Satellite Tanzania Limited has applied for both national network facilities and national application services licenses.
Apart from Starlink other providers who have applied for licenses include GX Technologies Company Limited, and Mauritian company Paratus Tanzania Limited.
The application marks a significant step in Starlink’s efforts to expand its global reach and bring high-speed satellite internet to underserved regions of Tanzania.
Starlink’s entry into the Tanzanian market has been anticipated for some time. However, the service has faced a series of regulatory challenges, including negotiations on spectrum rights and compliance with Tanzania’s data protection laws.
The TCRA has provided a 14-day window for the public to submit comments on the license applications, with a final decision on approval expected after the consultation period.
The regulator’s public notice highlighted the importance of aligning Starlink’s operations with local regulations, ensuring the company meets Tanzanian standards for data security and internet governance.
Regulatory hurdles and expectations
Starlink’s efforts to establish a presence in Tanzania have been complicated by lengthy talks with the Tanzanian government. Issues related to the allocation of spectrum rights, which are essential for operating satellite internet services, have required careful negotiations.
In addition, Starlink has had to ensure that its services comply with Tanzania’s data protection and privacy regulations.
Elon Musk had previously expressed frustration over delays in the rollout of Starlink services in certain countries due to regulatory approval processes.
However, despite these challenges, the company remains confident that its service will offer much-needed connectivity to underserved regions across Tanzania.
Starlink’s satellite technology is expected to provide high-speed internet access to rural and remote areas that are often neglected by traditional broadband providers.
The entry of Starlink into the Tanzanian market is part of a broader strategy to expand the company’s global reach, particularly in emerging markets where internet infrastructure is limited.
Starlink’s satellite internet service is renowned for its ability to deliver fast, reliable internet in areas that lack access to fiber-optic networks or traditional wireless infrastructure.
Tanzania, with its large rural population and limited access to high-speed internet in remote areas, presents a significant market opportunity for Starlink.
The company aims to bridge the digital divide by offering affordable and accessible internet to millions of Tanzanians, particularly in underserved regions.
Improved internet access could unlock new economic opportunities, boost education, and drive innovation, especially in remote areas where reliable internet has long been a challenge.
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Air Tanzania Banned From EU Airspace Due to Safety Concerns
Several airports have since locked Air Tanzania, dealing a severe blow to the Tanzanian national carrier that must now work overtime to regain its certification or go the wet lease way
The European Commission has announced the inclusion of Air Tanzania on the EU Air Safety List, effectively banning the airline from operating in European airspace.
The decision, made public on December 16, 2024, is based on safety concerns identified by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which also led to the denial of Air Tanzania’s application for a Third Country Operator (TCO) authorisation.
The Commission did not go into the specifics of the safety infringement but industry experts suggest it is possible that the airline could have flown its Airbus A220 well past its scheduled major checks, thus violating the airworthiness directives.
“The decision to include Air Tanzania in the EU Air Safety List underscores our unwavering commitment to ensuring the highest safety standards for passengers in Europe and worldwide,” said Apostolos Tzitzikostas, EU Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism.
“We strongly urge Air Tanzania to take swift and decisive action to address these safety issues. I have offered the Commission’s assistance to the Tanzanian authorities in enhancing Air Tanzania’s safety performance and achieving full compliance with international aviation standards.”
Air Tanzania has a mixed fleet of modern aircraft types including Boeing 787s, 737 Max jets, and Airbus A220s.
It has been flying the B787 Dreamliner to European destinations like Frankfurt in Germany and Athens in Greece and was looking to add London to its growing list with the A220.
But the ban not only scuppers the London dream but also has seen immediate ripple effect, with several airports – including regional like Kigali and continental – locking out Air Tanzania.
Tanzania operates KLM alongside the national carrier.
The European Commission said Air Tanzania may be permitted to exercise traffic rights by using wet-leased aircraft of an air carrier which is not subject to an operating ban, provided that the relevant safety standards are complied with.
A wet lease is where an airline pays to use an aircraft with a crew, fuel, and insurance all provided by the leasing company at a fee.
Two more to the list
The EU Air Safety List, maintained to ensure passenger safety, is updated periodically based on recommendations from the EU Air Safety Committee.
The latest revision, which followed a meeting of aviation safety experts in Brussels from November 19 to 21, 2024, now includes 129 airlines.
Of these, 100 are certified in 15 states where aviation oversight is deemed insufficient, and 29 are individual airlines with significant safety deficiencies.
Alongside Air Tanzania, other banned carriers include Air Zimbabwe (Zimbabwe), Avior Airlines (Venezuela), and Iran Aseman Airlines (Iran).
Commenting on the broader implications of the list, Tzitzikostas stated, “Our priority remains the safety of every traveler who relies on air transport. We urge all affected airlines to take these bans seriously and work collaboratively with international bodies to resolve the identified issues.”
In a positive development, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has been cleared to resume operations in the EU following a four-year suspension. The ban, which began in 2020, was lifted after substantial improvements in safety performance and oversight by PIA and the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA).
“Since the TCO Authorisation was suspended, PIA and PCAA have made remarkable progress in enhancing safety standards,” noted Tzitzikostas. “This demonstrates that safety issues can be resolved through determination and cooperation.”
Another Pakistani airline, Airblue Limited, has also received EASA’s TCO authorisation.
Decisions to include or exclude airlines from the EU Air Safety List are based on rigorous evaluations of international safety standards, particularly those established by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
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The process involves thorough review and consultation among EU Member State aviation safety experts, with oversight from the European Commission and support from EASA.
“Where an airline currently on the list believes it complies with the required safety standards, it can request a reassessment,” explained Tzitzikostas. “Our goal is not to penalize but to ensure safety compliance globally.”
Airlines listed on the EU Air Safety List face significant challenges to their international operations, as the bans highlight shortcomings in safety oversight by their home regulatory authorities.
For Air Tanzania, this inclusion signals an urgent need for reform within Tanzania’s aviation sector to address these deficiencies and align with global standards.
The path forward will require immediate and sustained efforts to rectify safety concerns and regain access to one of the world’s most critical aviation markets.
Source: allafrica.com
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