8.5m Tanzanians gain access to internet services following installation of 758 new towers

DODOMA: MORE than 8.5 million Tanzanians have gained access to mobile and internet services after the government completed construction of 758 communication towers, connecting 1,400 villages across the country. The project, implemented at a cost of 126bn/- through the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology, is financed by 55bn/- from the World Bank and 71bn/- from the Universal Communications Service Access Fund (UCSAF). Presenting the ministry’s implementation report on the Tanzania Telecommunications Corporation (TTCL), UCSAF and the Personal Data Protection Commission (PDPC) before the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Infrastructure, the Minister for Information and Communication Technology Angellah Kairuki stated that the achievement is part of broader government efforts to expand communication infrastructure and services.

Moreover, she informed the committee that TTCL has started implementing a project to construct a national communications backbone linking Kigoma to Kalemie in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) through Lake Tanganyika. According to the minister, the 183-kilometre fibre-optic link is expected to be completed in April 2027 at a cost of 11,568,429 US dollars and that an advance payment of 4,302,386.7 dollars has already been made, while a contract guarantee worth 7,265,862.3 dollars has been issued. ALSO READ: Dr Samia honours the NSSF’s contribution to the Kizimkazi Festival’s success Speaking on personal data protection, the minister said the PDPC has registered 14,826 data controllers and processors by June 2026, with 7,131 registrations completed during the period under review and that the commission has also received 95 complaints and resolved 76, representing 80 per cent, while approving 69 out of 75 applications to transfer personal data outside the country.

Meanwhile, an assessment of the quality of services provided by the 758 towers between January and June 2026 showed that most service providers had met or exceeded standards set by the Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA). The minister said the expanded communication services were contributing to improved access to education, healthcare, business opportunities and e-government services. The post 8.5m Tanzanians gain access to internet services following installation of 758 new towers appeared first on Daily News.