Internet services launched on Africa's highest peak

Dar es Salaam. Hikers will now be able to communicate with the rest of the world on top of Mount Kilimanjaro.

The Tanzanian government has officially launched high-speed internet services at Mt Kilimanjaro's Uhuru Peak, which is the rooftop of Africa.

Minister for Information, Communication and Information Technology, Nape Nnauye, launched the internet service at the 5,895 metres high peak.

The connection at 3,720 metres above sea level and others to follow are set to increase visibility of the “Roof of Africa’ to the world.

The internet services on Mt Kilimanjaro were installed for the first time in August this year at Horombo area, 3,720 metres above the sea level.

According to the minister, some Sh146 million had been spent to take the Internet services to the Horombo hut alone.

But, this time the services have been installed on the roof of Africa with the slogan ‘Data Kileleni’ which aims to further promote tourism at and around Mount Kilimanjaro.

Mt Kilimanjaro is one of the leading tourist destinations in Tanzania, attracting thousands of mountain climbers from abroad and within the country every year.

Recently while inaugurating the internet services at Marangu gate while en route to the peak, Nape said benefits of installing the internet services have started to be realised, as it has simplified work, ease tourists communication and increasing internet users at the park.

He commended Tanzania Telecommunications Company (TTCL) for bringing the world to the iconic mountain, which attracts thousands of tourists every year.

TTCL director general Peter Ulanga said the project will be extended to other major tourist sites.

 “This is also part of the drive to digital economy. In the long run other remote tourism sites will have such access,” he said.