Tanzania`s data users have increased

It has been reported that the number of data users in the country has increased from 3.4 to 5.8 million in a period of two years.

The increase is the result of the increment in the number of new Tanzanians who have started using electronic devices such as mobile phones and computers with the intention of searching online for different information and constructive knowledge.

Speaking about the increase, Vodacom Tanzania PLC Managing Director, Mr. Ian Ferrao said that during the years 2014 to 2016 internet and data usage, particularly through cell phones and computers, has increased from 3.8 to 5.4 million for Vodacom network users; and all of them being permanent customers.

He said that based on these statistics it can be deduced that within a short period of time, data usage has increased from 37 to 44 percent of the total mobile users in 2016. He explained that the official Vodacom-Tanzania report points out that the largest data usage increase was during 2014 and 2015, which was from 37% to 43% in just one year.

Mr. Ferrao said in an effort to increase the number of data users, Vodacom Tanzania will set a range of factors including affordable customer charges and faster internet speed than that of its competitors.

"There are four main ways in which Vodacom Tanzania will operate to ensure that we remain the leading mobile network operator in providing the best and modern services to our customers."

"Firstly, we will invest in our infrastructure to suit the needs of data users in Tanzania. Furthermore, we will ensure that our customers get data within a satisfactory speed basis, facilitate affordable customer charges and lastly, provide customer incentives to encourage more data usage", said Mr. Ferrao.

In addition, Mr. Ferrao noted that in the early years of the commencement of mobile phones usage in the country, many cellular companies including Vodacom Tanzania were making a good profit out of multimedia calls and short messages. Respectively, Vodacom-Tanzania has now decided to focus all its attention on being a data technology leading company so as to increase the number of data users in the country.

Mr. Ferrao said that up to date, the number of data users has grown in the country and Vodacom is prepared to take advantage of this opportunity.

"In recent years, more Tanzanians have begun to use electronic devices such as mobile phones and computers for online information and knowledge search. At the moment, Vodacom Tanzania sees a great opportunity for growth in this area", concluded Mr. Ferrao.