Surge in cell phone users in Tanzania

27 Apr, 2012

The number of mobile phone users in Tanzania is expected to grow from the current 21 million to over 36 million by 2015, according to a report from UK-based independent analysts Business Monitor International (BMI).

The firm predicted that the telecommunication industry in Tanzania would expand by over 70 per cent in the next three years due to the continuing demand for mobile phones.

The BMI report attributed the growth in cell phone subscribers to the recent tariff wars in Tanzania where high competition has led to some companies reducing their prices.

The current rate for calls within the same network is one shilling per second.

The seven telecommunication companies operating in the country are Vodacom, Airtel, Tigo, Zantel, Tanzania Telecommunications Company Ltd (TTCL), Sasatel and Benson Informatics.