Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA) Issues 38 New Licenses: 184 Electronic Communications Devices Approved

The Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA) has granted 38 new licenses across various categories between July and September 2024.

This announcement was made recently by TCRA’s Director General, Dr. Jabiri Bakari in the latest quarterly communications status report.

The new licenses include one each for Network Facilities and Network Services, four for Application Services, 15 for Content Services, and five for Courier Services.

According to Dr. Bakari, network facilities licenses allow operators to construct, maintain, and own communication infrastructure, while network service licenses enable the use of those facilities to deliver services, whether through self-owned or leased infrastructure.

Application service licenses cover services such as data applications, while content licenses govern broadcasting operations.

The latest content licenses include operators for one regional radio, five district radios, two community radios, three national subscription television stations, one online radio, one online content aggregator, and two weblogs.

By September 2024, the authority had licensed 35 network facilities operators, 16 network service providers, and 146 application service providers.

The authority also issued new licenses to courier operators, bringing the total to 146 courier companies and one postal operator, the Tanzania Posts Corporation (TPC).

The courier licenses fall into six categories: International Courier Services (6), East African Courier Services (2), Domestic Courier Services (47), Intracity Courier Services (16), and Intercity Transporters (74).

Dr. Bakari also highlighted that TCRA’s recent approvals encompass 184 electronic communications devices, ensuring compliance with regulations requiring type-approval of all communication equipment imported into Tanzania.

As of September 2024, TCRA has licensed 246 radio stations, 33 free-to-air television stations, 63 cable TV providers, 29 subscription-based television services, 210 online television platforms, 10 online radio stations, and 66 weblogs.

The Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA)

TCRA operates under Tanzania’s Ministry of Information, Communication, and Technology and is tasked with promoting effective competition, consumer protection, and the availability of regulated services.

Its primary purpose is to regulate the electronic communications, broadcasting, and postal services sectors in Tanzania.

TCRA functions include licensing telecommunications and broadcasting operators, establishing standards for services and equipment, regulating tariffs, managing the national radio frequency spectrum, and monitoring the performance of regulated sectors.

Additionally, the authority is responsible for implementing a converged licensing framework that covers telecommunications, broadcasting, and postal services and is designed to streamline regulatory processes and enhance service delivery across various communication platforms.