Tanzania Mobile Subscriptions Increased by 8.8% in 2018

Tanzania Telecom Mobile Subscriptions 2018

According to the latest telecoms statistics for Q4 2018 published by the Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA), overall telecom subscriptions reached a record high of 43,621,499 in December 2018.

This represents a year-over-year increase of 8.8% compared to the 40,080,954 subscriptions registered in December 2017.

In the same year, subscriptions to mobile networks reached 43,497,261 (99.7% of all subscriptions), 8.8% more than in December 2017 (39,953,860).

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During the same period subscriptions to fixed lines fell by to 124,238 from 127,094.

Vodacom remains the largest mobile operator with 14,143,657 subscriptions in December 2018 (12,866,059 in December 2017; +9.9%), followed by Tigo with 12,583,640 subsciptions (11,062,852 in December 2017; +13.7%), and Airtel with 10,954,621 (10,855,955 in December 2017; +0.9%).

Together these three mobile operators accounted for 37,681,918 or 86.6% of all the mobile subscriptions, while the other smaller operator accounted for the remaining subscriptions.

Want to know more about Telecoms in Tanzania? Our free Tanzania Business and Investment Guide 2026 covers Telecoms, plus regulations, key sectors, and investment opportunities — all in one place.

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