Mobile line switch drive gets boost

Mwanza. Journalists have joined a campaign by the Tanzania Communication Regulatory Authority (TCRA) to create awareness on the mobile number portability, a system that allows for mobile phone users to easily shift from one mobile operator to another.

TCRA on Saturday trained some media practitioners as it bids to spread the skills to remote areas. The journalists are expected to transfer the skills to their communities and help raise awareness in the media.

The regulator’s deputy director for consumer affairs, Mr Thadayo Ringo, yesterday noted that through the media platform, many citizens would be informed on process - commonly known as MBN.

“Journalists will extend the ongoing MBN awareness effectively through news reporting,” he noted.

For example, he explained that media network coverage is wide and accessed almost all over the country and that MBN can be easily disseminated to members in the society.

He says that the move would also cut expenses incurred by TCRA during the awareness process.

The mobile portability technology is expected to boost competition in the mobile communication industry in Tanzania, improve network services for mobile operators in the country and compel telecom companies to reduce service charges to retain customers.

There are eight mobile phone operators in the country that would be involved in the new service.

The companies are MIC Tanzania Ltd trading as Tigo, Vodacom Tanzania, Bharti Airtel Tanzania, Tanzania Telecommunications Company (TTCL), Zanzibar Telecom Ltd (Zantel), Smile and Benson Informatics Ltd trading as Smart and Halotel.

Mr Thadayo explained to the journalists that the current shifting process from one mobile operator to another requires a new registered SIM card with a different number and sometimes an extra handset.

TCRA launched MBN services in March.