Mobile telecommunications operator Vodacom Tanzania will offer a commercial 3G HSDPA service in the capital Dar es Salaam next month, says Romeo Kumalo, MD of Vodacom Tanzania.
"The technology supporting 3G services has been operational since early December as a testing phase to optimise the network," Kumalo says.
This makes Tanzania one of the first countries on the continent to have such a network, says Vodacom chief communications officer Dot Field. Vodacom SA and telecoms operator Namibia MTC also provide 3G capabilities.
The 3G HSDPA network is part of Vodacom Tanzania's $1.3 million capital expenditure programme to extend the network. "The company plans to extend the 3G capabilities to other regions of Tanzania after successful assessment of the first 3G roll-out," says Kumalo.
It will provide Tanzanians with high-speed wireless data and video telephony services, which will benefit business operations in the capital, adds Kumalo.
He notes that there have been challenges in rolling out 3G in the East African country. "The biggest challenge most notably is the poor infrastructure in the East African region."
Kumalo emphasises the Tanzanian telecoms market is worth investing in, despite the challenges.
More subscribers
He says he has seen growth in Vodacom Tanzania's customer base in the last two years. According to the company's statistics, the subscriber base increased by 74%, from 1.2 million in March 2005 to 2.1 million by March 2006. Vodacom Tanzania recorded another increase to 2.6 million in September 2006.
The Tanzanian telecoms market remains competitive, with mobile penetration estimated at around 12.6% of the population. "The estimates show promising growth potential for Vodacom," says Field.
After a recent organisational restructuring process by the Vodacom group, Kumalo is leaving his position as MD after the 3G network trial period. Kumalo has served for two financial years at Vodacom Tanzania and will now take up the position of commercial services director at Vodacom SA.
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