Telecoms firm in 4G expansion to 5 regions

Dar es Salaam. Smile Communications Tanzania has announced expansion of its 4G LTE mobile broadband network and services in the regions of Mbeya, Mwanza, Moshi, Dodoma and Morogoro.Currently, Smile has its footprints in Dar es Salaam and Arusha.

Speaking at the weekend, Smile country manager Mr Eric Behner said the expansion funding is part of $365 million Smile Telecoms raised in September through debt and equity to finance the expansion of its Africa’s 4G networks.

“By the end of 2016, Smile will offer clear voice services and have national coverage comparable to the largest 3G network in each of the five regions,’’ he said.

He said the funding is one of the largest capital raised ever for a telecommunications operator in Africa and brings the total funding committed to Smile since its founding in 2007 to approximately $600 million.

The company at the same time announced its Business Solution dabbed Smile@business that will provide a fixed-link access with dedicated bandwidth.

“The Business Solution offers office sharing module – allowing companies to effectively manage one data package on multiple SIM users irrespective of location or the device used,’’ said the company’s head of sales and marketing Mr Ahmed Seif.

Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority director general Dr Ally Simba said the expansion will go a long way in assisting the government’s efforts to facilitate the transformation of lives in Tanzania and steer the country towards a digital economy as envisaged by the government.

“TCRA acknowledges the need to make ICT networks critical national infrastructure and will continue to review policy and legislative frameworks to ensure that the security of networks receives appropriate focus and attention,” said Dr Simba.