Telecommunications

For more information on telecoms contacts, please see the following link: 4.11 Additional Services Contact List.

Telecommunications Regulations

Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA) 

Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA) is a statutory regulatory body responsible for regulating the electronic and postal communication sector in Tanzania. It was established under the Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority Act, No.12 of 2003, which merged the Tanzania Communications Commission (TCC) and the Tanzania Broadcasting Commission (TBC). 

Tanzania Communications Commission (TCC) was established in 1993 with the mandate of regulating the telecommunications and postal services. Tanzania Broadcasting Commission (TBC) was established in 1993 with the mandate of regulating the broadcasting sector. 

Due to technological advancement, there was a need to streamline government services to enhance public service delivery, minimising bureaucracy and increase efficiency, the two regulatory bodies (TCC and TBC) were merged in 2003 to form Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA). 

The Authority became operational on 1st November 2003 and effectively took over the functions of the merged two Commissions. This is mandated by section 4 (1) to (7) of the TCRA Act, 2003. 

the Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA) is an independent regulatory authority for the postal, broadcasting, and electronic communications industries in the United Republic of Tanzania. It was established under the TCRA Act No. 12 of 2003 by merging the Tanzania Communications Commission (TCC) and the Tanzania Broadcasting Commission (TBC). 

The TCRA is responsible for promoting competition and protecting consumers in the communications sector. It also plays a key role in the development of the communications sector in Tanzania. 

The TCRA's core functions include: 

Licensing and regulating communications service providers. 

Promoting competition and protecting consumers in the communications sector 

Developing and implementing policies and regulations for the communications sector 

Monitoring and enforcing compliance with communications laws and regulations 

Resolving disputes between communications service providers and consumers 

The TCRA is governed by a Board of Directors, which is appointed by the President of Tanzania. The Board is responsible for setting the strategic direction of the TCRA and overseeing its operations. 

Existing Humanitarian Telecoms Systems

The UN country team have an Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) working group with the goal to develop a common network and a common business continuity management strategy. The ICT working group consist of representative from WFP, UNICEF, WHO, ILO, FAO, IOM, UN Women, UNDSS, UNHCR (currently chair the WG) and UNDP who also represent the smaller UN agencies in Tanzania. 

Internet Service Providers (ISPs)

The internet penetration rate in Tanzania is increasing, with 50% of the population currently having access to either mobile or fixed broadband internet. The reliability of internet services varies with urban centres like Dar es Salaam and Arusha having access to relatively stable connections, but speeds and reliability can vary greatly depending on the provider and infrastructure availability. The reliability of the national power grid is also an issue in maintaining connection.

Mobile Network Operators (MNOs)

In urban areas of Tanzania, mobile users can access 3G services or higher, however, 5G is not yet commercially available in the country at present. Whereas approximately one-fifth of the nation's population, mainly residing in rural communities remain with access limited to 2G network coverage.

Mobile money in Tanzania has expanded from traditional payments like airtime recharge and domestic remittances to more sophisticated financial services. The National Payment Systems (NPS) Act 2015  of Tanzania is a crucial piece of legislation that establishes a comprehensive framework for regulating and overseeing payment systems in the country including the use of mobile money. The Act empowers the Bank of Tanzania (BoT) as the primary regulator of payment systems, granting it authority to license and supervise payment system operators, establish clearing and settlement mechanisms, and implement risk mitigation measures. It also outlines the requirements for electronic money issuance and operation, ensuring consumer protection and promoting innovation in digital payments. The National Payment Systems (Electronic Money Transactions Levy)  (Amendment) Regulations, 2022  outlines chargeable rate for electronic money in Tanzania.

For information on MNOs please visit the GSM Association website.