THE Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA) has urged consumers to go for online economic opportunities and cautioned them to be vigilant when using communications services for their safety to avoid thefts and fraud through mobile phone and internet networks.

Eng. Asajile John, TCRA Manager for Central Zone-Dodoma made the call over the weekend here when speaking at the authority’s pavilion at the ongoing 31st Nanenane Agricultural International Expo 2024, themed: “Embracing Visionary Leadership for Agricultural Transformation”.

 At the expo, TCRA has become a crowd puller, with communications services prospective investors and consumers, faced with challenges, flocking to and having their problems instantly resolved.

 Eng. Asajile advised the visitors at the pavilion not to respond to any unsolicited messages on mobile phones and instead forward through short messages the suspicious phone numbers to the toll-free code number “ 15040”.

 He advised the consumers to verify the status of mobile phone numbers registered using their identity card numbers issued by the National Identification Authority (NIDA). They should dial *106# and follow the displayed instructions.  
 These are (1) for verifying registration status, (2) numbers registered on their networks using their NIDA numbers, (3) total numbers of SIM Cards registered on other networks using their IDs, (4) to delete any registered numbers and (5) to verify or add new numbers, respectively.  
 Consumers are also advised that the only authentic number for communication between the service providers and service consumers is “100 “, adding that if it is not 100 know that it is fraudulent.

 The public is also being briefed on TCRA’s Mobile Frequency Spectrum Monitoring Station (MFSMS) and the Electric and Magnetic Field (EMF) Radiation Metre, through which TCRA assures the public that EMF radiations are within safety limits in conformity to National and internationally approved standards.  
 Telecommunication and Information Communication Technologies (ICTs)-Digital Services regulated by TCRA have been proven key enablers to various agricultural activities, like knowing weather conditions, sourcing potential markets for agricultural products through online systems, and receiving payments through mobile money and online systems.

 TCRA’s senior officers in Central Zone, Dodoma, and others from Dar es Salaam have been engaging a steady stream of consumers thronging the colorful pavilion, with issues ranging from quality of services, and tariffs for mobile voice and data services to safety against online fraudulent acts.

 The pavilion is designed as a one-stop center with the presence of representatives from the Union of Mobile Phone Technicians in Dodoma and Sign Language Translators. Telecommunication services providers are also actively participating in the colorful annual event. They include the Tanzania Telecommunication Corporation (TTCL), Airtel, Halotel, Tigo and Vodacom.

 There is currently great growth in the Telecommunication Communication Sector, with more than 76.6 million registered mobile phone SIM cards, more than 55.7 million mobile money accounts – which facilitate money transactions and 39.3 million internet users by June 2024, according to the Telecommunication Sector Performance Statistical information, which the TCRA Director General Dr. Jabiri Bakari released in Dar es Salaam recently.  
 Innovators in ICTs who create solutions to various ICTs-related social challenges are offered free of charge, Valuable Communication Resources of Frequency Spectrum, Numbering, and Domain Names, Dot TZ (.TZ). The Commission of Science and Technology (COSTECH) has to approve the viability of the innovative project before TCRA gives the resources, said Dr. Bakari.

 Telecommunications services reach more than 90 percent of Tanzanians, according to the statistics. A recent Global Safety Survey Index by the Geneva-based Telecommunication Union (ITU) shows that Tanzania’s Line Systems are Second Best on Safety and, hence most secure among the continent’s 54 African Countries.

 Besides fielding questions, the officers have been providing education on online safety and tips on effective and responsible usage of online, digital services.

 TCRA is among over 320 institutions showcasing their services and products at expo grounds and the celebrations climax next Wednesday.

 The week-long annual exhibition was opened by Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa, on 1st August this year where he called on agricultural research institutions to be more innovative to promote productivity and efficiency of agricultural products out in the country.