DAR ES SALAAM: THE Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA) issued up to 21 per cent new licences between January and March this year, a move that has expanded coverage and access to improved services, according to the latest communications report.
The January-March 2026 communications statistics released by TCRA Director General Engineer Peter Mwasalyanda show how new infrastructure has widened access to internet and communications services and increased digital and mobile financial inclusion.
The new licences include seven for network facilities (NF), one for network service (NS) and 14 for application services (AS).
Network facility licences increased from 48 to 52. These are for facilities such as mobile communications base stations, broadcasting transmission towers and equipment.
These facilitate network and content services. NS licences, which enable connectivity or transport between different networks, increased from 25 to 26.
Operators may use their own or others’ networks to provide services. Application services include voice, data, electronic commerce and other transmission services.
Licences in this category increased from 159 to 173. TCRA also issued 65 new authorisations for Global Maritime Distress and Safety Systems (GMDSS) and 12 numbers and short codes.
GMDSS is an international system for automated distress alerting and safety communications for rapid response to maritime emergencies.
It facilitates rescue operations for ships at sea. The Authority issued seven new licences for district radio content services, one for community radio services and five domestic courier operations.
There are now 188 district radios, 37 regional radios, 14 national radios and 20 Community radios.
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There were 21 National free-to-air (FTA) televisions, 21 district FTA televisions, 51 cable televisions and 30 national subscription televisions in March 2026.
TCRA also issues licences and authorisations for radio frequency use, Communication Equipment Importation and distribution and Installation and Maintenance. There are now 241 licences in the latter category, up from 225 in December 2025.
Additionally, TCRA type-approves communications equipment imported and used in Tanzania and has a dedicated equipment testing facility in Dar es Salaam.
The report highlights areas of growth between January and March 2026 compared with the October–December quarter.