Tanzanian government to lower costs for ICT services

TANZANIAN government is working on the ways to lower costs of its ICT services operating in the country so as to allow more people have an access to the services countrywide. Tanzania’s Director General of its National Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA) Professor John Mkoma, said recently that, the move follows the realization of the fact that many people who are within coverage areas of ICT s are still not served by the ICT s due to high costs of services. According to him, Tanzania has exponential growth in the use of ICTs especially in computers, radio. Television and more recently mobile phones with a Tele-density of over 33 percent, this is equivalent to 13 million SIM cards to approximately 40 million population of total Tanzanians. Internet use has increased to about 5 percent of the population, thus the challenges of the government is to ensure equitable access to ICTs to all areas. Following the proliferation of ICT tools in the country, this has a positive impact on the country’s economy. ICTs has facilitators of economic activities and also ICT as a sector by itself has been enjoying high growth.

Professor John Nkoma addressing a press conference in one of the past meetings in his office in Dar es Salaam.

According to the Minister for Communications, Science and Technology, Professor Peter Msolla, Tanzania’s government will establish ways to ICT services that go hand in hand with children protection. Professor Msalla has urged stakeholders in the ICT industry in the country to take the challenge as soon as is practically possible, especially internet cafes where children frequent, sometimes unaccompanied by adults. According to him, the government would like the private sector to support initiatives which will compliment its efforts in making ICT more accessible to children but making sure they are protected against being pulled towards cyber crimes. In his message to mark the International ICT Day in May 2009, the Director General of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Dr. Hamadoun .I. Toure noted that ICT stakeholders have to create a global network in order to protect children on line by enacting national legislation, strengthening capacity building , increasing public awareness and improving national cyber responsiveness.

Professor Peter Msolla delivering a speech in one of the International meetings abroad.

He stated that, the world can create a universally accessible information society where human dignity is respected and where everyone especially children can benefit from the opportunities accorded by ICTs to attain higher levels of development. ITU day was celebrated with this year’s event in the knowledge that stakeholders have set forth a strong momentum to make cyberspace a sage place for children where every child can harness the full potential of ICTs, and where every citizen on this planet can exercise the right to access, use, create and share information.