Network connectivity firm Wananchi Group has confirmed that its home entertainment and communications services company, Zuku has branched out into Dar es Salaam, Tanzania under the name 'Zuku Fire.'

In a report published by techweez.com, Wananchi Group CEO Thomas Hintze is quoted as saying, "The service is designed to meet customer needs through online content such as short videos, movies though one package. Reports show that data consumption in Tanzania is three times higher than in Swaziland and that is why we have come up with the service to make life easier."

The company claims speeds will increase to 100Mbps and the service will be distributed through Zuku's fibre network.

Zuku Fire is a triple play service delivering the internet, digital TV and telephone services through a single cable, and available in Msasani, Mikocheni, Kawe, Mbezi Beach, Upanga suburbs and the central business district of Dar es Salaam.

Hintze added that the service will be rolled out to other regions including Dodoma, Mwanza, and Arusha depending on demand.

Last year, the Wananchi Group confirmed plans to compete more aggressively within the home broadband market in East Africa.

The company announced its intention to invest Kshs 2.5 billion to further expand and improve its entire network infrastructure – including bandwidth on the Customer Access Network.

Competition has increased substantially among satellite TV service providers across several markets.

In Zambia, for example, Zuku competes with Kwese', Muvi television, StarTimes and Multichoice.