Artists’ stakes from ring tones increase
TCRA director general James Kilaba. Photo |File
What you need to know:
- Bongo flavour artists have all reasons to smile now, as the government intervenes the royalties for ringtone payments from telecom companies.
- Tanzania Communication Regulatory Authority (TCRA) ordered them to be paid 50 per cent of the ring back tone revenues, up from 30 per cent they used to be paid before.
Dar es Salaam. Telecom companies will from now up until June be forced to pay 50 per cent of the ring-back tone, which the telcos charge a subscriber of the service as royalties to artists, who own the songs.
The decision was made yesterday after a meeting, which brought together Tanzania Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TCRA), musicians, mobile phones operators and agents in the city.
Briefing reporters after their meeting, TCRA director general James Kilaba said the increment was equivalent to 20 per cent compared to previously, when an artist was paid only 30 per cent of what was generated through the service.
“The new amount will be used during this transitional time, while we are looking for modalities, which will benefit both sides,” said Mr Kilaba.
According to him, TCRA will issue indicative prices by beginning of July.
“Our aim is to make sure that every party involved reaps fruit of their work,” said Mr Kalaba.
During the period, TCRA will review all the contracts between artists and telcos to see if both side honoured them.
Those, who will be found to have violated the agreement will be forced to compensate the opposite side of the agreement.
