Smile Telecoms Holdings Ltd (Smile), a mobile operator with presence in Tanzania, Nigeria and Uganda, has recently announced the launch of its free mobile app to make voice calls through its 4G LTE broadband network.
SmileVoice app is meant to enable Smile customers with an Android or iPhone device to make SuperClear voice calls using Smile’s 4G LTE network even if their phones don’t count with a VoLTE-capable handset, a company’s press release reads.
Additionally, the company also announced the launch of SmileUnlimited, which provide its customers with unlimited data access for 30 days to Smile’s SuperFast 4G LTE broadband network.
SmileVoice and SmileUnlimited demonstrate the company’s commitment with Tanzania’s development since a SuperFast mobile broadband plays a key role supporting economic growth and human development, explained Smile Group CEO, Mrs. Irene Charnley.
Smile tested for first time SmileVoice in Nigeria in October, 2015, and the feedback received from customers during the following four months encouraged the company to offer the service in Tanzania as well, Mrs. Charnley added.
Smile recently raised a USD 365 million fund compounded by a USD 50 million stake obtained from the Public Investment Corporation on behalf of the South Africa’s Government Employees Pension Fund (PIC) and a USD 315 million multi-jurisdictional debt facility led by the African Export-Import Bank to reach national coverage in Tanzania in the short-term.
With the planned investments, Smile aims at becoming the broadband provider of choice and manage the largest and fastest 4G LTE network in Tanzania to support its goal to reach 300 million potential customers in the long term between the three countries where it has presence.
According to Internet World Stats, in Tanzania there are currently 7.6 million people using either a pc or mobile phone to access data traffic representing 14.9% of the total population against an average of 28.6% in Africa and 46.4% in the world.
From the total internet users in Tanzania, approximately 79.39% access it through mobile phones according to the ICT Works Organization.
