The Tanzanian government plans to use electricity infrastructure to deploy additional internet broadband connectivity and services across the country. The project will be executed by the state-owned telecommunications firm Tanzania Telecommunications Corporation Limited (TTCL).

The Ministry of Communications and Information Technology has partnered with the country’s power utility company, the Tanzania Electricity Supply Company Limited (Tanesco) to extend broadband connectivity using Tanesco’s infrastructure (electricity poles).

According to officials, the partnership will connect ten regions to the national fibre network and expand broadband to at least 4, 449km, more than double the planned          1, 880km in the 2021/2022 financial year.

The Minister of Communications and Information Technology Dr Faustine Ndugulile said the approach will “triple the pace” at which fibre optic internet connectivity is being implemented in the country.

The Minister said the government’s plan is to ensure that at least 94% of Tanzanians have access to broadband coverage, and that national broadband is a must in the 4IR.

According to the Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA), there are over 29 million internet users in the country, with the majority of people accessing the internet through mobile phones.

“We want every home with electricity connectivity to have internet access, television and mobile phones connected to the national broadband,” said Ndugulile.

Energy minister Dr Medard Kalemani said with the partnership, Tanesco will also use some of the infrastructure already installed by TTCL to supply power in the country.

“This is a more efficient way, simple and just to expand broadband connectivity,” said Kalemani.