Dar es Salaam, Tanzania:
Tigo Tanzania announced yesterday that it has managed to achieve a 5G download speed of 1 Gigabits per second (1Gbps) in Dar es Salaam, making it one of the fastest in Tanzania.
Besides, the company has been the first to launch 5G technology in Zanzibar. Similar technology has been deployed in Dodoma.
Engineered to greatly increase the speed and responsiveness of wireless networks, 5G – which is the fifth-generation wireless (5G) – is the latest iteration of cellular technology and a planned successor to the 4G networks which provide connectivity to most current cellphones in the country.
“We are pleased to announce that Tigo has achieved unprecedented 1 Gbps 5G network speed. This 5G ultra-wideband game-changing download speed is the fastest in Tanzania,” Tigo Tanzania ceo, Mr Kamal Okba, said in a statement yesterday.
He said the decision to launch 5G technology stemmed from the company’s desire to meet the ever-increasing bandwidth demand from diverse needs of customers, businesses, automation and gaming.
“Today’s landmark announcement is a result of Tigo’s efforts in building a robust 5G network, and 1 Gbps is truly a huge leap forward in the 5G era to offer a speed 10 times faster than 4G speed,” he said.
According to him, 5G will have a significant and profound change on individuals, industries, society and the economy, transforming how we live and work.
“This launch is in line with Tigo’s transformative journey and the company’s objective of offering customers the best digital experience,” said Okba.
He said Tanzania was competing with the developed nations that were currently rolling out 5G technology.
“The latest generation of mobile communication technology in Tanzania denote that full possibilities of ubiquitous connectivity are now opened to our customers,” he said
Tigo’s 5G network in Zanzibar also becomes the first one of such kind in the Isles.
“This step continues to show Tigo’s intention to continue investing in modern technologies in the islands,” he said.
The development offers a catalyst for the communication sector where Tanzania continues to benefit from modern technologies that bring new economic and social opportunities. The company has promised to continue providing more information about 5G services and products in the near future.
“Through our state-of-the art 5G technology, we aspire to help Tanzania build an inclusive digital economy to meet various social and economic challenges, while at the same time improving customer experience. Additionally, this technology will enable new consumer services and encourage technological innovations in the ecosystem,” he said.
In May 2022, the new owners of Tigo and Zantel outlined their future plans, revealing how they would invest over Sh1 trillion in Tanzania.
That came after a consortium led by Axian Telecom and prominent Tanzania businessman Rostam Aziz acquired MIC Tanzania Plc which owns Tigo and Zantel.
Mr Aziz and Axian Group’s chief executive officer Hassanein Hiridjee said in Dar es Salaam in May, 2022 that they would push to strengthen network coverage, especially in the rural areas where there is potential.
“Following decades of experience in this sector, I’m committed to providing valuable strategic guidance and stewardship to Tigo in order to extend access to affordable mobile services and drive digital inclusion through significant investment in our telecom infrastructure. We will invest more than Sh1 trillion to meet our targets,” said Mr Aziz in May, 2022.
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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
Mwinyi lashes out at Zanzibar Airport, Port inefficiency claims
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European Union Bans Air Tanzania Over Safety Concerns
Kampala — The European Commission added Air Tanzania to the EU Air Safety List, banning the airline from operating within European Union airspace. This decision follows the denial of Air Tanzania’s Third Country Operator (TCO) authorization by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), citing significant safety deficiencies.
The EU Air Safety List includes airlines that fail to meet international safety standards. Commissioner Tzitzikostas emphasized the importance of passenger safety, stating: “The decision to include Air Tanzania in the EU Air Safety List underscores our unwavering commitment to ensuring the highest safety standards. We strongly urge Air Tanzania to take swift action to address these safety issues. The Commission has offered its assistance to Tanzanian authorities to enhance safety performance and achieve compliance with international aviation standards.”
Air Tanzania joins several African airlines banned from EU airspace, including carriers from Angola, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Sudan, and Kenya. Notable names include Congo Airways, Sudan Airways, and Kenyan carriers Silverstone Air Services and Skyward Express. The ban reflects the EU’s strict approach to aviation safety worldwide.
Source: allafrica.com
