COMMUNICATION sector experts are emphasizing the importance of seizing the government's initiative to install communication towers as a constructive opportunity to invest in the digital economy.

Prof. Fredrick Mtenzi, head of research at the Aga Khan University (AKU), aired this sentiment at a discussion organized by a local media outlet yesterday, underlining the importance of increasing public awareness about proper internet use.

City technology and applied technology experts met to explore the role of internet services in national development, a meeting organised by regulatory authorities and major service providers in the wake of controversies on social media use for unconfirmed reports inimical to the public order.

The medical field researcher affirmed the need for heightened awareness regarding appropriate internet use and technology, stressing that raising public awareness about proper internet use will enable individuals to better understand how to leverage internet technology for income generation. 

Increased awareness among citizens will significantly contribute to the country’s development, he said, while Semvua Kissenge, the TiGo (T) director of network planning and engineering, said that citizens should take full advantage of internet services to foster their own development.

Internet services play a crucial role in national development by promoting financial inclusion, which is vital for economic growth, he said, underlining that the service provider has been collaborating with the government to extend internet services to as many regions and districts in far-off rural areas, to ensure inclusivity.

Last year, President Samia Suluhu Hassan oversaw the signing of two contracts billed at $122m for the construction of 758 communication towers across 713 districts on the Mainland.

The pact involves the Universal Communications Services Access Fund (UCSAF) and major service providers, as the towers will help to enhance communication services in rural and underserved urban areas, he explained.

There are plans to upgrade the capacity of 304 existing towers from 2G to 3G, 4G and even beyond, he added.