THE Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA) issued 38 licenses across various service categories in the communications sector from July to September this year.

Dr Jabir Bakari, the TCRA director general, said this in a weekend update on the state of communications over the first quarter of fiscal 2024/2025, noting that out of them, six licenses are tied to working out strategies for building a digital economy.

The licenses include for communication infrastructure, where the license holder builds own communication infrastructure or communication services that enable the licensee to offer core services, he said.

These include connecting various communication networks either through their own infrastructure or by utilizing similar infrastructure, he said, also citing communication applications licences which enable owners to provide services such as data usage for internet access.

He was upbeat on trends in internet usage growth, citing growth by 5.0 per cent during the period, from 39.3m subscribers to 41.1m users, with the data reflecting users on active SIM cards accessing internet services, utilizing any available technology.

The government aims to ensure that 80 per cent of the population has access to internet services by late next year, he said, elaborating that TCRA approved 184 electronic communication devices. 

Regulations require that all devices entering the country be duly approved by TCRA, as it also grants licenses for importation and distribution of electronic devices, he said.

Other licenses granted during the period include regional radio licenses where five district and two community radio licenses were issued. Three national pay-TV stations, one internet radio, one unit for producing and processing online content, two licenses for blogs focused on news and events, he explained.

By late September TCRA had issued 35 communication infrastructure licenses, 16 communication service licenses and 146 licenses for communication application service providers, he said.

Other cumulative licences issued include 246 radio licenses, 33 free-to-air television licenses, 63 cable television licenses, 29 pay-TV licenses, 210 internet television licenses, 10 internet radio licenses, 66 news and event blogs, plus 146 postal and courier service providers, he asserted.

The licensing process is pivotal for ensuring growth and regulation in the communication sector in line with the country's digital transformation goals, he added.