Internet subscriptions surge -TCRA
DAR ES SALAAM: THE number of internet subscribers in Tanzania has surged by five per cent between June and September 2024, according to the latest report from the Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA).
This significant growth reflects the nation’s increasing digital adoption and underscores the potential for economic development and social transformation.
“Internet subscriber numbers have increased from 39.3 million to 41.4 million, indicating a rising demand for connectivity in the digital age,” the report reads in part.
The report for the quarter ending September 2024 released yesterday indicates that mobile broadband remains the most popular means of accessing the internet, with subscriptions reaching approximately 22.9 million.
This is complemented by 18.3 million subscriptions utilising 2G technology, while fibre technologies, such as Fibre to the Home (FTTH) and Fibre to the Office (FTTO), account for a smaller share with 59,656 and 9,028 subscriptions, respectively.
As of September 2024, mobile wireless subscriptions dominate the market, comprising an impressive 99.7 per cent of all internet subscriptions. This trend underlines the increasing reliance on mobile devices for internet access, driven by the expansion of mobile network infrastructure and competitive pricing among service providers.
The report also details the monthly internet usage per subscriber, which has seen an upward trend, with users consuming an average of 4,855 MB in September, up from 4,647 MB in July.
This increase in data consumption reflects the growing reliance on internet services for various applications, including social media, streaming and online transactions.
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In terms of network coverage, the TCRA reports that 3G coverage has reached 90.1 per cent of the population, while 4G coverage stands at 84.9 per cent. The introduction of 5G technology is also making strides, with coverage expanding to 18 per cent of the population, promising faster speeds and improved connectivity.
The surge in internet subscribers in Tanzania reflects a broader trend towards digital connectivity, positioning the country for continued growth in the telecommunications sector. With ongoing advancements in technology and infrastructure, the future looks promising for internet access and usage across the nation.
In tandem with the rise in internet users, mobile money services have also experienced substantial growth.
The number of mobile money subscriptions climbed by 9 per cent, from about 56 million accounts in June 2024 to approximately 61 million by September 2024. This surge reflects the growing popularity of mobile financial services, with major players like M-Pesa, Tigo Pesa and Airtel Money controlling around 89 per cent of the market share.
“The trend of mobile money transactions for the past five years, indicates that transactions have increased from 3bn/- in 2019 to 5.3bn/-, representing a 19 per cent annual growth rate.
During the same period, average transactions per subscriber decreased from 117 to 100 transactions per annum,” reads the report.
As of September 2024, the penetration of smartphones increased to 33.85 per cent from 31.55 per cent recorded in June 2024. Furthermore, penetration of feature phones also increased from 82.6 per cent in June 2024 to 84.83 per cent in September 2024.
