The latest Quarterly Communications Statistics Report by the Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA) for the period October-December 2017 shows that total Voice Telecom Subscriptions reached 40,080,954 at the end of 2017.
This corresponds to a telecom services penetration of 78%, compared to 80% reached in 2016 with 40,173,783 users, and indicates a negative net addition of -82,829 users.
In 2017, 39,953,860 (99.6%) were mobile network subscriptions while 127,094 (0.4%) were on fixed network.
Mobile network subscriptions decreased by -90,326 units (-0.2%) in 2017 compared to 40,044,186 at the end of 2016.
Fixed network subscriptions, provided mostly by TTCL, and in a very small percentage by Zantel, decreased by -2,503 units (-1.9%) in 2017.
The same year, Vodacom remains the largest mobile operator in Tanzania with 12,866,059 subscriptions and 32.2% market share.
It is follwoed by Tigo (11,062,852 – 27.6%), Airtel (10,855,955 – 27.1%), Halotel (3,799,691 – 9.5%), Zantel (935,161 – 2.3%), TTCL (429,735 – 1.0%), and Smart (131,501 – 0.3%).
Vodacom, Airtel, Halotel, and TTCL saw their subscriptions increase between 2016 and 2017 by +3.5%, +3.8%, +10.5%, and +46.4% respectively.
However, Tigo, Zantel, and Smart saw their subscriptions shrink by -5.2%, -13.8%, and -83.6%.
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.
Download Free Guide