Tanzania’s 5G coverage rapidly expands to 15pc

Dar es Salaam. The percentage of the Tanzanian population that is covered by the fifth generation (5G) rose to 15 percent during the second quarter of the current calendar year, thanks to ongoing investment in telecommunications infrastructure.

 A new report by the Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA) shows that 5G connectivity rose from 13 percent of the population in the first quarter to 15 percent in the second quarter. Tanzania launched 5G last year.

Coverage for 3G has reached 89 percent of the population, enhancing access to data services, while 4G coverage has reached 83 percent, which has improved internet speed and reliability.

In terms of geographical coverage, however, 5G technology has reached two percent of the population, up from one percent recorded in March.

TCRA’s communications statistics for the quarter ending June this year indicate that internet subscriptions rose from 36.8 million as of March to 39.3 million in June.

With an average annual growth rate of 9.8 percent in internet subscriptions over the past five years, the subscriptions rose from 25.8 million in 2019 to 35.9 million in 2023.

According to TCRA, the extension of 5G coverage to 15 percent signifies faster speeds, reduced latency, and more reliable connections compared to other technologies.

“This growth reflects the sector’s dynamic evolution in response to user demands. These combined improvements across the communications sector are crucial for fostering a more connected and digitally empowered society,” said the authority’s director general, Dr Jabiri Bakari, in the report. However, the country’s data consumption for the last three months has increased by 27 percent, contributing to the increase in internet users.

Mobile wireless is mostly preferred compared to other internet services; it comprises 99.6 percent of all subscriptions. In general, TCRA said the monthly internet subscriptions for the quarter ending June 2024 show that mobile wireless is the most preferred compared to other internet services.

“The communications sector in the quarter ending June experienced significant progress and a notable increase in the adoption of telecommunication services, driven by the continued competitiveness of service tariffs,” reads part of the report. This is crucial for meeting today’s demand for continuous connectivity, enabling advancements such as smart home devices (IoT) and enhanced mobile experiences.

Speaking to The Citizen yesterday, Tigo Tanzania Chief Technical and Information Officer Mr Emmanuel Mallya said: “Tigo Tanzania acknowledges the recent statistics as revealed by the TCRA Q2 report indicating that 15 percent of the population now has access to 5G technology.”

He said that a milestone signifies that mobile network operators are committed to investing in developing telecommunication infrastructure to benefit individuals and businesses alike.

Tigo Tanzania contributes heavily to this statistic following our massive network modernization and upgrade initiative, where we have rolled out 4G networks nationwide and 5G in major urban cities.

“We are determined to continue investing in cutting-edge technologies. Our goal is to reach 30 percent of population coverage by the end of 2025, ensuring 5G technology reaches all major cities and towns in the country, bridging the digital divide, and fostering inclusive development.  Tigo Tanzania remains dedicated to driving digital transformation and contributing to Tanzania’s economic and social development,” he said.  On the other hand, in March this year, Vodacom Tanzania’s head of Network Quality Assurance, Mr Emmanuel Luanda, told The Citizen yesterday that Vodacom’s pioneering role in deploying 5G underscores its commitment to driving innovation and enhancing connectivity for businesses.

“With a current coverage of 13 percent, we have made substantial progress, increasing our 5G sites from 232 in 2022 to 364 today. 5G is not just about faster internet for consumers; it’s primarily tailored for businesses, enabling transformative use cases in the Internet of Things (IoT) and Business to Business (B2B) deployments,” he insisted.

In March this year, Airtel regulatory and corporate communications official Ms Beatrice Singano told The Citizen: “We appreciate the opportunity to address these key questions regarding 5G technology and Airtel Tanzania’s role in its adoption and rollout.”

“We need to acknowledge that the deployment and adoption of 5G technology involves various factors, including infrastructure development, spectrum availability, device compatibility, and consumer demand,” she said.