Microwave links belonging Tanzania Telecommunications Company Limited (TTCL) are being upgraded in six rural and island locations to double mobile network capacity in these areas.

Integrated IT and network technologies firm NEC is set to conduct the roll-out for TTCL in a $1.6 million deal.

The upgrade is further expected to help meet demand from local citizens, enterprises and tourists in the areas.

"Our latest mobile infrastructure upgrades are a key part of the important work the Tanzanian government is undertaking to deliver our Vision 2025 programme and use the latest communication technologies as a tool for sustainable development,” said Makame Mbarawa, minister of communication, science and technology of Tanzania, in an NEC press statement.

The press statement goes on to say that government has already inaugurated the route from Dar es Salaam to the island resort of Zanzibar. Further connections from Shinyanga to Maswa in the north and Mikumi to Kidatu in southern Tanzania are planned to open shortly, says NEC.

“TTCL is using NEC's iPASOLINK 400, 1000 and 5000iPS solutions which support a hybrid TDM and IP-based mobile backhaul service. This enables the operator to continue to leverage investments in existing legacy TDM systems for voice traffic and use high speed, high capacity Ethernet for data with the option of transitioning to an all-IP network to enable highly efficient long haul transmissions in the future,” adds the statement.

NEC goes on to say the solution can also support the expansion of LTE network services when required with minimal capacity upgrades, in addition to the 3G networks of today.

NEC says it has been supplying telecom technologies to TTCL since 1972, including over 29,000 microwave backhaul radio units to date.

TTCL is majority owned by the Tanzanian government with a 35% stake held by the Indian-headquartered operator Airtel.