VICE President Dr Philip Mpango has instructed the Universal Communication Service Access Fund (UCSAF) to focus on projects enhancing the capacity of communication towers from 2G to 3G and 4G technology.

Officiating at the inauguration of USCAF headquarters at Njedengwa area in the capital yesterday, he said that UCSAF needs to monitor the construction of communication towers with a view to boost capacity so as to connect all villages with reliable communication services.

People across the country, regardless of their particular locations, need to access communication services smoothly, he said, noting that this will enable them to properly participate in social and economic activities as scores of services are pegged to reliable communication systems. 

“Many social services are currently provided through the internet due to the rapid technological changes, so it is important to not forget rural populations who also play a huge role in the economy,” he emphasised.

UCSAF, a vital component of the Digital Tanzania project financed by the World Bank, needs to put up robust plans to increase the provision of information and communication technology (ICT) devices in public schools, he stated.

This will encourage pupils to move in tandem with ICT in their studies and stimulate internet use for productive use instead of entertainment and gossip, he elaborated.

Private sector stakeholders are available to cooperate with UCSAF and connect more schools with internet services, making available modern ICT9 devices to ease the learning process, he said.

The sector ministry also needs to seek out stakeholders in the private sector to support UCSAF with funds and equipment to push its mandate of easing communications even in remote rural areas, he said.

Nape Nnauye, the minister, said that through UCSAF an estimated 98 percent of the country’s population has access to communication services, such that people living in rural areas can participate in the digital economy especially in relation to mobile money transactions.

The minister said it is important that investors manufacture ICT devices locally to enhance the value of investments by the government in improving communication infrastructure.

Dr Mngereza Mzee Miraji, the Works, Communication and Transport permanent secretary for Zanzibar, said that within a short period, UCSAF had enabled building 47 communication towers, setting up 11 ICT hubs in Pemba and Unguja islands, attracting numerous youths.