Tanzania’s mobile operators compete to connect rural users

The East African Business Week in Kampala reports on Zantel Tanzania’s plan to expand its network to rural areas and the expectation of higher levels of competition amongst the country’s mobile phone operators.

There is reportedly an increase in focus by local mobile operators, including Vodacom, Airtel and Tigo Tanzania, on potential customers and consumers within rural areas.

Executive management at Zantel Tanzania say the company’s investment strategy is designed to enhance wireless communication technology, 3G, mobile broadband and Internet services networking.

CEO Ali Jarsh is quoted in the report as saying that the plan will see the company earn 20% market share in the next two years from its current level of 7%.

The plan has been formulated to build on the company’s existing two-million subscriber base and grow this base to six million.

In the article Jarsh is quoted as saying, “We have charted out strategies, to make sure that we narrow the market gap with other competitors in the mobile phone industry as well as internet services.”

In addition to the network expansion plan, Zantel Tanzania has also reduced call tariffs and offerings on Internet services.

Staff Writer