How TCRA Improves Telecommunication Sector

Telecommunication industry has been growing fast in the last fifteen years, leading to the growth of economy.

A milestone in telecommunication liberalization was achieved by the establishment of the telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TCRA) in 2003. TCRA is an autonomous government agency established by the Act No. 12 of 2003 as an independent authority for regulating and licensing of postal, broadcasting and electronic communications in the country.


This Act led to the merging of the Tanzania Communications Commission (TCC ), with the then Tanzania Broadcasting Commission (TBC) to form TCRA. According to the Director General of TCRA Prof John Nkoma, the establishment of TCRA marked a new era for the communications sector in Tanzania that has been characterized by growing in investments and operations.

"TCRA is mandated to promote effective competition and electronic efficiency, protect consumer interests, grant and enforce licence conditions, regulate tariffs and monitor performance," he says.

Prof Nkoma adds that TCRA has been given mandate to create awareness and understanding of the regulated sectors such as the rights and obligations of consumers and regulated suppliers, the way in which complaints and disputes may be initiated and resolved, the duties, functions and activities of the authority and taking into account the need to protect and preserve the environment.

TCRA's vision is to be a world-class communications regulator creating a level playing field among communication service providers and promoting environmentally friendly,accessible and affordable services to consumers.

The mission statement of the authority is to develop an effective and efficient communications regulatory framework, promote efficiency among the communications services providers and protect consumer interests with an objective of contributing to socio-economic and technological development in the United Republic of Tanzania.

Telecommunication sector has grown from a single telephone company to seven to date, with a total sub-scriber base of 20,000,000 as of June 2010 compared to 230,000 that were in 1993.

Apart from the growth in subscriber base, the penetration has also been demonstrated by the combined efforts between the government and other stakeholders including TCRA to continue facilitation in opening up tele-centres.

The number rose from 6 in 2006 to 14 in December 2010, of which, 8 were facilitated by

TCRA and 2 by the ministry responsible for communications. Further achievements were also realized through increased number of data and internet services providers from 25 in May 2006 to 68 in December 2010.


The growth has been tremendous from a single radio station, no television on Tanzania Mainland to 67 radio stations and 38 television stations now. The post sub-sector now boasts of 55 courier and 82 sub-post services companies from just a single one. This sub-sector also has been a significant transformation by allowing the private sector participate in courier business bringing in new opportunities and various methods of doing business.

Prof Nkoma notes that under TCRA, the number of licensed telecommunications operators increased from 5 in 2003 to 62 in 2009. Most of these were issued under the Convergence Licensing Framework (CLF) which the TCRA effected in 2006. The penetration of Information Communication Technology in Tanzania is demonstrated by the phenomenon increase in teledensity (number of line per 100 persons) from 15% in May 2006 to 50% in December 2010.

As far as communication liberalization in the country is concerned, Prof Nkoma elaborated that, the fixed line subscriber base has been eroded by the mobile market, while fixed line subscriber number increased from 151,644 in 2005 to 174,511 in 2009. The number of mobile cellular increased from 5.6 million to 20.9 million.

There are two fixed line operators (TTCL and Zantel), while there are seven mobile operators (Airtel, Tigo, Vodacom, Sasatel, Zantel and TTCL). He also said that, although the government has embrased government as a major driving force behind efficient and effective transactions in government departments, there are big challenges posed by the demand for requisite infrastructure, policies, capacity development, ICT applications and content development in the national language, Kiswahili.

With all these developments he said that, it was inevitable to revisit the TCRA Act No 12 of 2003 and amend areas that were outdated, repeal the Broadcasting Services Act of 1993 and

Telecommunications Act of 1997; then formed one comprehensive legislation, passed by the Parliament in January 2010, assented by the President in April 2010 and operationalised on 18th June 2010.

This is known as Electronic and Postal Communications Act (EPOCA ), which takes an account all the contemporary technological and business developments in order to achieve the intended goals in the ICT policy framework. He further explained that, the new Act composed amendments and new areas, issues that were carried forth with amendments include licensing, interconnection and access, postal communications, content regulation, anti-competitive practices and content numbering resources and technical standards.

New areas include, postal code, new physical address system, digital broadcasting, central equipment identification register (CEIR) and SIM registration. There are also general sections covering environment, offences and penalties, miscellaneous provisions, traditional provisions, regulatory forbearance and consequential amendments.


The electronic and postal communications Act (EPOCA) has come just in time as an important instrument for the much needed and awaited efficient regulatory environment, he added. On his part, Minister for Communication, Science and Technology, Prof Makame M. Mbarawa said that, his ministry has given a warrant to make sure that information and communication technology contribute fully to the national development.

He explained that, apart from this responsibility, the ministry has also given a mandate to supervise institutions, co-operations, commissions and companies that contribute to the ministry's efforts towards achieving its goals as well as public expectations.

Addressing members of the Parliament when presenting his ministry's budget for the 2011/12 financial year in Dodoma on June 2011, Prof Mbarawa mentioned those institutions as Dar es Salaam Institute of Technology (DIT), Mbeya Institute of Science and Technology (MIST), Nelson Mandela- Arusha Institute of Science and Technology (AIST) and Tanzania Atomic Energy Commission (TAEC).

Others are National Communication for Science and Technology (NCST), Tanzania Posts Corporation (TPC), Tanzania Telecommunications Corporation Limited (TTCL), Tanzania Communication Regulatory Authority (TCRA) and Universal Communications Access Fund (UCAF). He explained that the government will continue to implement a national communication backbone project which started on February 2009.

The first phase of the project has already been completed and the services are being provided. The first phase covered a total of 4,300 km in sixteen regions including Dar es Salaam, Coast, Morogoro, Iringa, Mbeya, Dodoma and Singida. Others are Arusha, Manyara, Kilimanjaro, Tanga, Shinyanga, Tabora, Mwanza, Mara and Kagera regions. The second phase of implementation of the project has already started and is expected to be completed within 18 months (up to March 2012).

Officiating at a two-day workshop on the theme "towards secure and sustainable communication sector," a Principal Secretary, Ministry of Communication, Science and Technology, Dr Florens Turuka welcomed the opportunities from all the world specialized entities and governments that will facilitate establishment of a competent national Computer Emergency Response Centre (CERT).


He listed areas that require attention in the Tanzanian fully liberalized communication market as proper choice standards when the country migrates from analogue to digital broadcasting; competition over site and consumers ability to freely change operators without changing their phone numbers and appropriate coding of streets and houses.

The objective of the workshop was to share and discuss essential aspects and developments in the country's dynamic communication sector and other areas of importance to the sector nationally and internationally. There have been a number of other significant achievements in the information and communication sector in Tanzania, apart from the growing Internet connectivity and establishment of the Internet service exchange points (IXPs) in Dar es Salaam, Arusha, Mwanza and Dodoma.

Alongside IXPs is the establishment of the Tanzania Network Information Centre to manage the country's code top level domain (dot-tzccTLD). All these efforts address the World Summit on Information Society (WSIS) commitments.

Bank Introduces Mobile Phone Tax Payment Means

Payments for property and personal income taxes have become easier for NMB customers with the introduction of a mobile phone payment system.

The bank launched the mobile phone bills payment system yesterday. The system would reduce the need for taxpayers to queue at taxpaying points.


NMB customers would also be able pay their water bills recharge their mobile phones and paid TV using the system. The system allows the bank's customers to pay taxes and other services using money that is in their accounts.

However, only Vodacom subscribers would be able to use the system at the moment, according to the bank's chief executive officer Mark Wiessing.

He added that the bill payment system is a free service to all NMB mobile customers. He also noted that the service would simplify payment and remove the risk of missing important services for late paying

TRA commissioner general Harry Kitilya commended the service saying that it was a revolution in the payment systems.


"The payment system will tremendously improve tax collection as the tax payers who delay to do so for avoiding disturbances and queues in banks will be encouraged," said Mr Kitilya.

He added that the system will reduce the risk of carrying money to banks and reduce cost of doing business by serving time that would be spent in banks."It will easy payment of taxes bearing in mind the traffic jams in Dar es Salaam. The system will also easy reporting system for the TRA," added Mr Kitilya during the launch of the system.

NMB has already a mobile banking system that allows customers moving money to other accounts within the bank as well as pay for electricity bills and other services. About 550000 customers of the bank have subscribed to the mobile banking system.

Regional Body Launches an Electronic Trade Information Data Base

Nairobi — Moving goods within and outside the region is going to take less time following the launch of an electronic data base on existing rules, procedures, regulations, and documents on trade.

The trade e-portal has been developed by the Federation of East African Freight Forwarders Associations to address the challenges faced in importing and exporting to and from the East African region that eventually translate into high cost implications to traders.


"The federation's e-portal is expected to become an important reference point for traders before submission of the required trade documents making them better informed about import and export procedures in the region," said FEAFFA's regional executive officer John Mathenge at the launch of the.The minister of Trade and Industry of the Republic of Rwanda, Kanimba Francois launched the portal officially this week in Kigali.



According to Mr Mathenge, the portal would reduce the cost of doing business in the region as clearing and forwarding agents will substantially spend less time searching for the relevant trade document, rules, procedures and regulations governing cross border movement of cargo to and from the EAC partner states.

The facility will provide freight forwarders real time information on the documents, procedures, taxes and duties payable and the rules and regulations governing the importation and exportation of certain major products into and out of the East African countries. = The portal was developed with support from TradeMark East Africa as part of the efforts towards establishing a single window System and integrated border management in the region. These are programmes that aim at facilitating trade in the region.

Internet Governance - the Need for a Global Management Body

Should developing nations fear or embrace the Internet? This is a question that should be responded to in the affirmative on the surface. After all, how would our lives be without email, websites, facebook, twitter and linkedin, among others?


In fact, one wonders how the urban, elite, (office workers, researchers, the corporate world) lived without the Internet only a couple of years ago. Undoubtedly the Internet along with other information society technologies and mobile telephony stands out has added tonnes of value to modern life. Precisely because we are hooked and even addicted to the Internet in the globalised world is the more reason why we should be wary of its downsides while leveraging on its many undeniable positives.

While issues such as digital divide, crime and pornography have been identified as cyberspace challenges, governance remains on the fringes of the pros and cons of the Internet.

As perceptive communications critics have pointed out, control and management of the Internet from a single government, the US, is a cause for concern. The addresses that all Internet users - corporate and individual - use are assigned by the Internet Corporations for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), a non-profit organisation established by the US government.

This means that all email addresses, websites, portals and servers are, as communications scholar Dan Schiller puts it, "supervised by the US by the US."

Even if we held the view that the US government is responsible enough not to abuse the special position of being the unilateral Internet governance agency, this situation is inherently slanted for a resource that is used by over 2 billion so-called netizens.


This is indeed what communications scholars refer to as hegemony - another word for domination. For, it's not too much of a stretch to argue that since the US singly provides overall management of the Internet, it has the potential to rule over the 2 billion-plus people who live and work through Internet.Such unfettered unilateral access to global data should have everybody worried, more so governments and large non-US corporates.

What if, for example, some elements in the US government decided to mine data on countries, organisations and individuals from the Internet to further the political, economic or social ends of Uncle Sam?

There is no end to all manner of speculation as to the potential abuse of this power by the US, particularly at a time when the world's single superpower is struggling to remain afloat, economically.The US government would be the first to strenuously deny the possibility of someone intruding into confidential content and accessing the codes that create domain names. Fair enough.

As with Wikileaks, the initial source was a disgruntled US civil servant with access to the diplomatic cables that have supremely embarrassed governments across the world and changed the face of diplomacy.


For instance, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is reported to have said that "on their own, new technologies do not take sides in the struggle for freedom and progress, but the US does; we stand for a single Internet where all of humanity has equal access to knowledge and ideas."

This is another way of saying that the US may use its Internet prowess to influence political discourse and even actively advocate change in some parts of the world.

Against this statement, consider that the US has been promoting youth movements specifically tapping Internet strategies. Recall the spurt between the Kenyan government and former US ambassador Michael Rannenberger early this year?

To what extent are these movements based on covert information on governments and societies?

Just such worries led to lobbying particularly by developing nations for the establishment of a supranational body to oversee Internet management during the World Society for the Information Society in Tunis in 2005.

IGF is more interested in cyber crime, broadband availability, new technologies and legal and regulatory issues at regional and country levels.Where the hot button issue of management of the Internet numbers and names resources is concerned, the US can't budge, won't budge and IGF will follow cue without question.


However, in an ideal situation, IGF or UNESCO would be the best organisational home for the assignment of addresses to the world's netizens - individual and corporate. Decision making on key policy and operational issues on the Internet would be representational, with each country represented in one way or another.

The prevailing debate on Internet management and the unequal information flows as well as global security issues is at the heart of the intersection between politics and information technology today.

As to whether the push for a UN-style entity to manage this resource will succeed remains to be seen. The US will not willingly agree to loosen its grip over this resource. So much for democracy.

German Software Firm Launches Product

In Dar es Salaam A German business application software provider for industries and market segments, SAP AG, has launched its new product for small and medium businesses in Tanzania.

According to the chief executive officer (CEO) of Double Click Consulting Ltd, Mr Ali Shariff, the product called Sap Business One 8.8.1, integrates all core business functions across an entire company including all key departments within the particular organisation.


With sap application in a particular company, different departments get connected to one system and they get email notifications of what is going on in another section in terms of transactions.

"Unlike other small business solutions on the market today, Sap business one is a single application eliminating the need for separate installations and complex integration of multiple modules...Sap brings all systems together and the manager can view the whole company simply," said Mr Shariff.


Mr Shariff was speaking during a press briefing before the official launch of the software in yesterday in Dar es Salaam.Sap delivers its software solutions in Tanzania through its business partners who are Advance One, Bluekey, Double Click Consulting Ltd, iO.sys and ITSL.

The Sap Business One Channel Manager for Africa Region, Mr Nazir Jadavji said the product was meant for all companies and small and medium entrepreneurs for efficient management of their respective organisations.

"We have packages of different levels of organisations from SMEs to government institutions like ministries and its departments," said Mr Jadavji.

However, it was noted that only few organisations about 20 companies are using the software in the country and according to Mr Shariff, the low turnout is due to lack of merits of using such systems in their operations.

Dar es Salaam Welcomes India to Invest in ICT

Minister for Communications, Science and Technology, Prof Makame Mbarawa

Indians businessmen and women have been asked to seize the abundant opportunities in Tanzania by investing in key areas such as Information and Communication Technology (ICT) development.

The challenge was thrown here by the Minister for Communications, Science and Technology, Prof Makame Mbarawa, during the plenary session of the India-Africa Business Partnership summit which opened here on Thursday.


He said the government wants investors particularly in developing local multi-media content software that would address issues that are relevant to the national development.

"Instead of relying on software that has been designed for the entire world, we need investors who would develop a customized IT content for our country," he said.

He told the two-day forum that has brought together ministers from different African countries, businessmen and women, diplomats and representatives from multinational companies mainly based in India that Tanzania's fiscal and political stability offer a credible offer for investments.

"With its strategic geographical position, Tanzania places itself as the most ideal place in the entire East and Central African region where investors not only from India but world over could come and explore various untapped business opportunities," he said.


He mentioned other areas which are yet to be tapped fully as IT parks and small ICT villages where the youth could assemble and design software that is ideal for the local markets.

He gave an example of business processing outsourcing (BPO) system which could create more jobs for Tanzanians by creating calling centres in the country.

The minister said Indian investors should also capitalize on the fast growing East African Community (EAC) market, covering over 140 million people.

He said that with the improved communication and infrastructure such as road and railway network, the EAC market offers a quick return on investment (ROI).

"The fibre optic project has made communication easier for Tanzania and the landlocked countries such as Zambia, Malawi, Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda and Rwanda," he said.

The first phase of Tanzania's 10,674-kilometre national fibre-optic backbone was completed in May last year, connecting to the SEACOM, and EASSy submarine cables.

It runs from Mombasa (Kenya) through Nairobi (Kenya), Kampala (Uganda), Kigali (Rwanda), and Bujumbura (Burundi) to Dar es Salaam.

The minister also called for investments in mining, agro-based industry, energy, manufacturing, health and education.

Deputy Minister in the Zanzibar Ministry of Trade, Industry and Marketing, Ms Thuwayba Kisasi who is also attending the summit also called on for investments in tourism, value adding on agro-products and deep sea fishing.

Vodacom Tanzania offers flexible bill payments

Vodacom Tanzania and Nokia Siemens Networks has announced an agreement with Vodacom Tanzania to offer flexible bill payment options.


Dietlof Mare, Vodacom Tanzania MD (image source: Vodacom Tanzania)

Nokia Siemens Networks has migrated the existing charging and billing system of Vodacom Tanzania to its own charge-at-once unified platform.

With the unified platform, Vodacom Tanzania’s customers can now flexibly choose either prepaid, post paid or a combination of both payment options for voice, data and SMS services. The platform also offers a wide set of pre-defined modules that can be used to create marketing campaigns with minimal effort and more flexibility in a shorter turnaround time.

“We wanted our customers to be the first to enjoy flexibility in bill payments, and we have become the first ones to implement this flexibility in Africa,” said Dietlof Mare, Vodacom Tanzania MD in a statement.

“Nokia Siemens Networks’ exceptional delivery capabilities ensured fast rollout of flexible payment methods for all services used by our individual and enterprise customers. The new platform also significantly reduces the effort required for the implementation of these flexible payment options. With a customer base of over ten million subscribers, we are always committed to bringing world-class solutions to our customers in the Tanzanian market,” added Dietlof.

Deon Geyser, customer team head at Nokia Siemens Networks said: “Implementing Nokia Siemens Networks’ unified charging and billing platform is an example of Vodacom’s commitment to introducing the latest technology on the market, offering a wide range of services with flexible payment methods. The platform provides flexible bill payment options for both fixed and mobile network services for all customers.”

With migration to Nokia Siemens Networks’ charge-at-once unified platform, the customers of Vodacom Tanzania can now choose post-paid method for using services for business purposes, and prepaid option for private voice calls or SMS. In addition, the platform enables family contracts, where parents can opt for post-paid payment for their voice services and use their phones to recharge their children’s prepaid subscriptions.

Nokia Siemens Networks’ charging and billing platform has a variety of features including self administration, which allows customers to set bill limits and receive alerts on exceeding it. It also allows them various options for recharging their prepaid accounts. With this platform, the operator can also offer special SMS plans as well as customised tariff schemes to its subscribers for internet use.

Vodacom Tanzania Limited is Tanzania’s leading cellular network offering state-of-the-art GSM communication services to more than 10 million customers across the country. It is a subsidiary company of Vodacom Group of South Africa.

Nokia Siemens Networks is a leading global enabler of telecommunications services.

Tanzania's Vodacom says hits 10 million subscribers

Vodacom Tanzania, part of South Africa's Vodacom Group , increased its users to 10 million this month from 9 million in March this year,
Ranked the largest mobile phone operator in East Africa's second biggest economy, Vodacom said its M-Pesa money transfer service had more than 2 million customers, double the number in 2009.

M-Pesa has been highly successful in neighbouring Kenya where the biggest operator, Safaricom , has over 9 million active users on the same service.

Tanzania's mobile phone subscribers rose 20 percent to 21 million last year as a vicious price war pushed tariffs down.

Mobile phone penetration in Tanzania stood at 47 percent last year, the communications regulator said.

Communications is the fastest-growing sector in Tanzania, accounting for 20 percent of gross domestic product in the country.

Other major players in Tanzania's mobile phone industry are Bharti Airtel, Millicom's subsidiary Tigo Tanzania and Zantel.

Some smaller companies such as state-run telecoms firm TTCL, Sasateland Benson, have tiny share of the market

SEACOM has announced that it will upgrade the capacity of its cable following an increase in demand, after receiving a 60% subscription to the current 1.28 terabytes per second capacity.

SEACOM Chief Executive Officer Mark Simpson (image: mybroadband)

SEACOM Chief Executive Officer Mark Simpson said that following trends by mobile operators shifting to data, the firm plans to increase its capacity to meet the demand.

“Technology is changing a lot and we have already begun to plan for our next upgrade which will be in the next 12-15 months and therefore we will have plenty of capacity to serve our customers,” Simpson said.

SEACOM, the first undersea cable to land in Kenya, sells Internet capacity on its cable to mobile operators and Internet services providers for resale to retail Internet users in the country and region.

The upgrade involves installation of nine land-based Internet access points that will store web content closer to where the ISP is accessed from.

Simpson said that SEACOM also has plans to start selling premium services to its clients to tap into the growing provision of content in Africa.

Premium services that the firm plans to start selling include multiprotocol label switching (a data carrying mechanism that allows a simple relay of information over a network).

“We also need to further build resilience into the network using west coast capacity as well as having highly reliable network,” he said.

Simpson expects Internet costs to start coming down as cable companies recoup their initial investments.

“The combination of the economics we offer on the sub-sea and the benefits we see from the terrestrial networks will continue to deliver quite a reduction in price but with quality being our focus,” Simpson said.

Stretching some 17 000kms along the eastern and southern African coastlines and onwards to India and Europe, the SEACOM system has already connected a number of countries within the regions.

“As we look at the growth of different markets, we are happy with what is happening in Kenya and like Tanzania where the fibre cables are built through consortiums and private public partnerships led by governments; we continue having discussions with them,” he said on future growth of the company.

Kenya, Nigeria snatch Google apps award

Two Kenyans are among three winners of the Sh7.2 million (about US $75 000) Google Android Developer Challenge in Sub-Saharan Africa aimed at encouraging mobile phone applications for use in Africa.


Kenya and Nigeria scoop Google app award (image source: file photo)

The two, David Lemayian of Capefield Ltd and Gerald Kibugi of Elan Telemedia Ltd and a third from Nigeria, Afrinolly, will each receive Sh2.4 million (about US $25,000).

They are expected to use the money to grow their businesses, with mentoring from Google.

The three winning applications, were chosen from hundreds of developers in Sub-Saharan Africawho submitted applications for entertainment, media and games; social networking and communication; and productivity, tools, and geo services.

Capefield’s application, Olalashe (which means ‘brother’ in Maasai) is a geo-alert application that could help one communicate when in distress, through a widget that sends the location of the person with a pre-set message at the push of a button.

Elan Telemedia Ltd’s Shoppers’ Delight allows buyers to compare prices across supermarkets in different areas, unearthing bargains complete with access maps and health information.

The winners were chosen from a short-list of 29 finalists who were then provided with new phones, mentoring from Google and also given six weeks to improve their applications.

The judges also gave honourable mention to finalist apps Rainbow Racer and Wedding Plandroid whose developers would each receive $5,000 (about Sh471,200).

The three winning apps, honourable mentions and finalists will be available on the Android Market soon.

More than 1,000 developers participated in over 25 Android hackathons.

Software developers submitted their apps to one of three specially-designated categories from June 1 2011.

Each application was only submitted to a single category. To determine the winner, there were two rounds of submission.

Google judges reviewed the applications to determine the top three in each region by category (there were 27 in total). Those who reached the final stage were each awarded Android devices and given six weeks to improve their apps before the committee of judges announced the three final winners.

AIRTEL has extended its coverage in more areas in Mbeya Region, a move that officials described as "keeping the promise of going rural." Airtel Public Relations Manager, Jackson Mmbando said: "As part of Airtel's plan to expand and upgrade its communications reach, we have recently added coverage in new areas in Mbeya Region and the Lake Zone. "The new areas covered recently will allow better clarity and connectivity in Tanzania rural that will offer clarity and quality calls to the South region's population." "We are connecting Tanzania with pride as we can see what communications does when one gets exposures to communications. In the past it was seen as a luxury but today it is a necessity and a tool to development", added Mmbando. Relevant Links East Africa Tanzania ICT Land and Rural Issues On Thursday, in the Lake Zone Airtel launched Utegi spots which also will benefit other villages around including Koaki, Ingili, Bukwe, Nyanduga, Otuna, Buturi, Yagoro, Kanguge, Mangra in Rorya District, Mara Region. On upcoming plans, Mmbando explained that, further coverage will proceed this year in various parts of the country, focusing in the rural areas to ensure all regions are evenly covered. "The more we expand our network, the more impact we have on the communities and people we connect by increasing and improving their quality of life by facilitating and making communications easily accessible. "All those connected will be entitled to all our products and services at a go," he said.

SEACOM appoints new CEO

SEACOM, the pan-African ICT enabler, announced the appointment of Mark Simpson as its Chief Executive Officer (CEO) with effect 5 September 2011. Brian Herlihy, the current CEO, will remain with the company as a member of the Board and take on the new role of Executive Director where he will focus on strategic projects essential for SEACOM’s continued success.

An industry veteran with more than 25 years’ experience in the telecommunications industry, Mark Simpson has held a number of senior international executive positions during his career, most recently as President and CEO of Pacific Crossing, a company operating a trans-Pacific cable systembetween the United States and Japan. He was also Chief Operating Officer (COO) and Chief Technology Officer (CTO) at Asia Netcom (now Pacnet) and CEO of C2C Pte Ltd, Asia's then largest cable system.

Commenting on his appointment, Mark Simpson said: “The SEACOM system has changed the African ICT landscape and I am pleased to be joining a market shaping company with a firm plan to evolve its core infrastructure and lead Africa into the next stage of ICT Growth.

“It is a great opportunity to come to a company with a great team that has accomplished so much already and set out a clear strategic plan going forward. I look forward to working cooperatively with Brian, who has meant so much toSEACOM.”

Simpson will be responsible for leading SEACOM into a new era of data-based projects and growth assisted by Herlihy. In addition he will bring to bear his operational know-how in developing and running a best-in-class quality of service international network and ensuring that SEACOM’s customers are well served by its network, products and services.

In his new capacity as Executive Director, Brian Herlihy will retain a key role in the strategic direction of the company focusing on maximizing development opportunities and network deployment.

“I am delighted to welcome Mark on board. His experience will contribute considerably to securing SEACOM’s efforts to consistently improve network operations while maintaining our position of being first to market with new products. 

“Mark’s extended experience ensures that SEACOM can leapfrog technology evolutions and develop a best-in-class pan-African solution.

“I am confident that our cooperation will provide me the capacity to pursue the correct partnerships necessary forSEACOM’s vision to truly lead the development of the African Internet,” concluded Brian Herlihy.

Nigeria launches two satellites into orbit

NigeriaSat-2 will help with disaster monitoring and security AFRICA’S most populous nation Nigeria is playing a key role in Africa’s science and technology development as demonstrated by the West African nation’s launch of two satellites into orbit on Wednesday. President Jonathan called the event “another milestone in our nation’s effort to solve national problems through space technology”. In a move aimed at ensuring proper disaster monitoring and security of the West African nation, Nigeria launched NigeriaSat-2 and NigeriaSat-X in the late afternoon of Wednesday. NigeriaSat-2 and NigeriaSat-X spacecraft were taken into orbit aboard a Russian Dnepr rocket from a launch pad in the town of Yasny, southern Russia. President Jonathan congratulated his country’s scientists for being “resourceful” and for putting the West African nation on the world map of technology. “I congratulate our nation for this new chapter in our transformational efforts as we strive for self-reliance. Let me congratulate the resourceful Nigerians who made this history possible,” said President Jonathan. Both satellites were built at Surrey Satellite Technology Limited (SSTL) in Guildford, under contract with the Nigerian National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA). But 26 Nigerian engineers worked alongside SSTL engineers in Guildford to assemble the 100kg NigeriaSat-X satellite. In a statement, the government said the two satellites would be used for forestry mapping, disaster monitoring, military applications and security, among other applications.

Steve Jobs Resigns as CEO of Apple

Steve Jobs, co-founder and two-time CEO of Apple, offered his resignation to the company’s board Wednesday.

“I have always said if there ever came a day when I could no longer meet my duties and expectations as Apple’s CEO, I would be the first to let you know,” he wrote. “Unfortunately, that day has come.”

Jobs has been in poor health for some time. In January, he announced that he would be taking a medical leave of absence from the company. He returned to the public spotlight in March to help launch the iPad 2.

Jobs advised the board to “execute our succession plan” — by naming Tim Cook to replace him. Cook, formerly the COO of the company, has been standing in for Jobs since January and was widely tipped to be his successor. Cook also stood in for Jobs during his bout with pancreatic cancer in 2004. “The Board has complete confidence that Tim is the right person to be our next CEO,” said board member Art Levinson, chairman of biotech firm Genentech, in a prepared statement.

This is the resignation letter Steve Jobs sent to the Apple board:

To the Apple Board of Directors and the Apple Community:

I have always said if there ever came a day when I could no longer meet my duties and expectations as Apple’s CEO, I would be the first to let you know. Unfortunately, that day has come.

I hereby resign as CEO of Apple. I would like to serve, if the Board sees fit, as Chairman of the Board, director and Apple employee.

As far as my successor goes, I strongly recommend that we execute our succession plan and name Tim Cook as CEO of Apple.

I believe Apple’s brightest and most innovative days are ahead of it. And I look forward to watching and contributing to its success in a new role.

I have made some of the best friends of my life at Apple, and I thank you all for the many years of being able to work alongside you.

Steve

Kikwete: ICT crucial in poverty reduction

President Jakaya Kikwete said in Dar es Salaam on Wednesday that upon its completion, the NICTBB which connects all regions and districts through a 10,000km optic fibre cable will help in achieving Millennium Development Goals.

"There is need to harness ICT to meet the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and development Vision 2025.

"The national ICT policy is geared towards making Tanzania become a hub of ICT infrastructure and solution in terms of economic development and poverty reduction efforts," he said.

Mr Kikwete was officiating at the Commonwealth Telecommunication Organisation (CTO) Sixth Annual Connecting Rural Communities African Forum in Dar es Salaam on Wednesday
President Kikwete noted that the theme was timely and relevant for African countries where ICT connectivity in rural areas has remained a challenging task.

"We are facing various challenges in building this network which range from inadequate funds, erratic power supply and human resources...," he said.

He noted that various border posts have already been connected to NICTBB, adding that the move would help in connecting to neighbouring countries.

Available information shows that various landlocked neighbouring countries have expressed interest to use the newly built national ICT backbone to get international links via the submarine cables laid in the Indian Ocean off the East African Coast in 2009.

Such countries include Zambia, Botswana, Democratic Republic of Congo and Malawi.

Mr Kikwete noted that in Tanzania, ICT has facilitated rural development and has increased innovation, improved health services and general well-being of people.

"Farmers in Ifakara which is about 400kms from Dar es Salaam can now communicate to a businessman in Dar es Salaam and do all the transactions through M-pesa, this is how the cell-phones have simplified life, thanks to service providers," he said.

Earlier, the CTO Chief Operations Officer, Mr Bashir Patel, noted that African governments should ensure increased access of ICT services in rural areas.

"ICT plays a vital role in poverty alleviation and if implemented thoroughly it will help in achieving MDGs for African countries by 2015," he said.

Mr Patel noted that the fact that over 60 per cent of the population in Africa lives in rural areas and depends on agriculture, lack of connectivity poses a serious challenge for their development.

He emphasized not only in making services available but in ensuring that the services are affordable to all.

"If the government and private sectors work together in this undertaking, there will be a truly sustainable rural connectivity," he said.

In another development, President Kikwete launched a logo that will be used in a campaign to sensitize on the shift from analog to digital technology.

The target is to make sure that the country is using digital system by next year. The campaign will be engineered by the Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA).

Helios Towers to invest US$100m in Tanzania

Helios Towers Africa – one of the continent’s leading telecommunications tower operators -  is set to invest US$100 million in Tanzania’s Information Communication Technology (ICT) sector for five years.

Helios Towers is planning to invest US$100m in Tanzania's telecoms (image: file)

Helios Towers Africa, which was issued its first licence by the Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority to independently operate a network of telecoms towers, is fast expanding its operations in the East African nation as well as increasing dominance in its country of origin – Mauritius.

Helios Towers Africa Chief Executive Officer, Charles Green, said his company had acquired 1 180 towers and the new investment drive of US$100 million would increase investment in Tanzania.

The US$100 million project is a five-year investment aimed at delivering significant benefits to the Tanzanian market, notably providing higher quality service coverage including in rural communities.

The telecommunications tower sharing plan would allow increased competition between telecoms operators thus lowering costs for customers, and improve  environmental conditions by reducing the number of towers built.

The investment will complement the injected US$130 million Helios directed last year in the acquisition of 1 180 towers.

“We are very pleased to be at the forefront of such an exciting and important new phase in Tanzania’s telecoms industry,” said Green.  “Helios Towers pioneered independent tower sharing in Africa – this model is the best way to ensure accessibility, affordability and the highest quality of communications service through increased efficiency and competition.

Speaking at the issuing of the operating licence, Helios Towers Tanzania Chief Executive Officer Simon Horner said the deal marked a significant moment in the development and growth of Tanzania’s telecoms industry.

“We are deeply committed to delivering the greatest value to all telecoms operators and their customers across Tanzania,” Horner said in a statement.

Dar Developers Dash D3 - Hackthon Nane Nane‏

Hello BarCampDar Attendees,

As was anounced at BarCampDar, we're organising a Hackathon for Nane Nane for all the developers out there to show their skills. 

Description:

We want YOU the best and brightest developers in Tanzania to come match up your coding skills against your fellow developers with big prizes up for grabs. This event is being organized as part of the Startup Tanzania initiative and as a follow on to the successful BarCampDar 2011 held on 7/7.  This competition will be unique in that all the details about what you need to build etc will be provided to you at the start of the event and you will have only 48hours to put together a product demo and present it.

The goal of such events is to devise an application solution on any platform PC (windows, Linux), web or mobile(Symbian, android, iOS, Blackberry OS etc) to an identified problem. The event aims to utilize the shared problem solving abilities of skilled individuals to create solutions that can be utilized in the real world.

Event: Dar Developers Dash D3 - Hackthon Nane Nane

Date: Saturday Aug 6th 9am to Monday Aug 8th 3pm.

Location:
COSTECH Building
Dar Es Salaam
For more information click here: www.startup.co.tz/site/d3

Help us spread the word as well.

YTI on behalf of the Startup Tanzania Team

BARCAMP DAR ES SALAAM

BarCamp as an idea emerged in California at the end of the summer of 2005. Since then, the movement has taken the world by storm. There have now been BarCamp events in over 350 cities across the globe. And now it is Dar es Salaam’s turn. BarCamp Dar 77 is a grassroots movement that aims to foster collaborations and conversations within the city’s Information and Communication Technology community. Launched by a group of Tanzanians made up of technology developers, start-up enthusiasts and entrepreneurs, BarCamp Dar 77 promises to be a landmark event.
The BarCamp format is unique in that it subscribes to the ‘unconference’ rules of engagement. The event is not administered by a single organization or company, rather it is held by an open community of interested individuals. BarCamp draws on the knowledge, experience and passion of the community that hosts it. This style of gathering is participant-driven with attendees simultaneously acting as speakers. BarCamp Dar 77 will provide a platform for open discussions about the current state of the industry,  identify goals for our community and set forth strategies to achieve those goals.

A REPORT ON THE WORKSHOP CONDUCTED ON 28th and 29th OF APRIL ON THE TOPIC

YOUTH TECHNOLOGY INITIATIVE

A REPORT ON THE WORKSHOP CONDUCTED ON 28

OF APPLIED ICT IN SOCIO-ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

INTRODUCTION

On 28

the workshop.

MODE OF DELIVERY

The workshop was of two hours time and it had four sessions. Session 1 was allocated 15minutes which were used for introducing YTI, its mission, vision and members. Session 2 was allocated one

hour and 15 minutes in which students were given lectures on introduction to computer and allowed to make practices. Session 3 was allocated 20 minutes which were used for lecturing students on

applications of ICT in socio-economic development. The last session was allocated 10 minutes in which students were allowed to ask questions related to ICT in general. The workshop was led by one main instructor who stood infront of the class and gave lectures to students and instructions to assistant instructors who helped students on practicals. The workshop room  had 15 tables whereby each table had 2 to 3 students and one assistant instructor.

MATERIALS DELIVERED

During session two the main instructor gave lectures on introduction to computer, the following areas were the areas of our concentration:-

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switching on and shutting down(four types of shutting down were addressed) a computer

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• application programs, word processing(Ms word, open office) was addressed

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internet and email: google search engine and gmail were addressed

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1. Switching on and shutting down a computer

The main instructor started by showing to students how to switch on a computer(laptop in our case) starting from the point of pluging the AC adopter charge on the laptop, switching on the starting button and waiting for the system to boot up. After showing them, students were allowed to practice how to start a computer with the help of assistant instructors. Then the instructor showed the students how to shut down computer whereby only four options were addressed. The shut down itself, restart, sleep and hibernate options were addressed. Students were allowed to shut down the laptops by using all these options and experience the difference of each option from the other

2. Uses of mouse and keyboard

Students were shown the type of mouse which is used on laptops and the normal peripheral mouse. All actions of mouse were treated for example right-click, left-click, double-click and drag. The laptop keyboard was used to show students the special keys, numbers, letters and function keys together with their functions. After showing all these to students, the assistant instructors guided the students on practices of how to use mouse and keyboard.

3. Application programs

Word processing was the area of our concentration, MS word for laptops which had MS operating systems was addressed and for those with linux open office was addressed. Students were shown how someone can create a word document such as a letter, after being shown they were allowed to create their own documents.

4. Internet and email

Students were lectured what internet and email mean together with their importances whereby education purposes were highly emphasized in the use of internet. Students were taught how to

use the search engines such as google, almost six ways of searching were addressed. Students were also taught how to create and use emails. After being taught they practiced how to search by using google search engine and they created emails by using gmail.

5. Applications of ICT in socio-economic development in the world

The reason for teaching students these applications was to show students the powerfulness and wideness of ICT and how it can act as a bridge to development of any country. ICT in Education and health sector were the areas of our concentration. In education students were taught about e-learning and how to get books and other academic materials from the internet. In health students were taught about Telemedicine and shown how it can help to improve the health sector. Other applications of ICT such as ICT in industries, agriculture, mining and military were just mentioned for simple curiosity.

PARTICIPANTS

The number of students who participated in the workshop was 73 students(38 from Azania and 35 from Chang'ombe) together with 16 YTI members(instructors) and two teachers one from each school.

VENUE

The venue in which the workshop was conducted on 28

 

EQUIPMENTS USED

The working tools which were used are laptops, mice, modems, extension cables and cameras.

During the workshop 17 laptops, 10 mice, 5 modems were used for practicals. Laptops and mice were

used in practicals for all the time while modems were used in the session of internet and emails whereby students were connected to the internet and learned how to use search engines such as google

and how to create and use emails. Ten extension cables were used for connecting the laptops into power suppliers.

OUTCOMES

The workshop met the expected outcomes of YTI, students were very excited and eager to learn more about ICT, the practical session was the most interested session of all, students were very happy to see how powerful are the search engines. This was proved by students themselves through the questions which they asked.

CHALLENGES

1. Insufficient tools for supporting the trainings: YTI is determined to assist students in developing their interests in ICT but still we have no enough working tools for example the last workshop was conducted by using laptops only without a projector.

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We only have 16 laptops therefore we couldn't accommodate a large number of students.

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No enough modems for practicals of internet applications

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We don't have our own projectors for displaying the teaching contents on the board.

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2. Sustainability of the program: the programs which have just started need to be sustainable what we just did is like planting a grain of maize in the desert. Students whom we have taught have no access to computers at their homes, so in order for them to develop what they have received from us, they need regular trainings and practices.

We don't have our own generators for assurance of power supply in case of unreliable power supply.

NB:

YTI is ready to conduct regular trainings and practicals to the students whom we have started with if and only if we are supported to do that, we plan to have our fixed centres where students can come and get the trainings. Right now we can not afford to run such kind of centres.

th of april was the Azania main hall while on 29th the venue was one of the class rooms at Chang'ombe Demostration school.applications of ICT in socio-economc development in the world: ICT in Education and Health were addressed

uses of mouse and keyboard th and 29th of April 2011, YTI conducted a workshop on Applied ICT in socio-economic development at Azania secondary school and Chang'ombe Demostration school respectively. This was done as one of the ways of YTI to accomplish its mission of initiating ICT to studentsThe workshop was intended to provoke the burning desire of learning and liking ICT by heart to students, the idea which YTI believe it will create self-motivated ICT experts. However the workshop aimed at showing to students how broad is ICT, how can ICT be used in Socio-economic activities. The workshop was focused to benefit 80 students, that is 40 students from each school, Azania and Chang'ombe. It was approximated that two students will use one laptop and have one instructor duringth and 29th OF APRIL ON THE TOPIC