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With 4G LTE Tech, Tanzania Says ‘Tumefika’ (‘We Have Arrived’)

With 4G LTE Tech, Tanzania Says ‘Tumefika’ (‘We Have Arrived’)

Tigo Tanzania has launched a 4G LTE network in parts of Dar es Salaam that will provide Internet speeds about five times faster than 3G technology, ITNewsAfrica reports.

The plan is to have the city covered by the end of July with service expanded to all regional capitals of Tanzania by August, said Tigo Interim General Manager Cecile Tiano, speaking at the launch.

“We will also launch 4G in Arusha, Dodoma, Morogoro, Moshi, Mwanza and Tanga by end of August. This will make us by far the biggest 4G network in Tanzania,” Tiano said.

Tigo, the first cellular network in Tanzania, is part of Millicom International Cellular S.A., founded and based in Sweden. The company claims to have more than 30 million customers in 13 emerging markets in Africa and Latin America. Tigo started operations in 1994.

To advertise the launch of 4G LTE in Dar es Salaam, Millicom‘s TV advertising campaign featured one of Tanzania’s best-loved comedians, Lucas Mhuvile aka Joti.

Joti assumes the role of a delivery man driving cross country trying to deliver a parcel. Wherever he ends up, his boss, family and friends can always reach him on his mobile phone.

“The campaign’s popularity and sense of fun carries an ambitious message,” Tiano said. “Tigo Tanzania will be the country’s biggest and fastest mobile network by the end of 2015.”

A standard for high-speed wireless data communication, 4G LTE technology can also accommodate more applications such as video conferencing, high definition content, video blogs, interactive games and video downloads on social networking sites, Tigo said in a prepared statement.

“With the surging use of smartphones among the Tanzania population, 4G technology will enable Tigo customers to enjoy a world class experience of increased speed and quality of Internet access through the network,” according to Tigo.

In 2013, it became the country’s first mobile network provider to offer 3G and won the mobile industry GSMA’s Highly Commended Award under the Best Network Improvement category.

In 2014, Tigo Tanzania saw subscriber numbers double, data volumes triple and smartphone sales rise significantly.

In 2014, Tigo’s mobile money brand, Tigo Pesa, became the first in Africa to access a fully interoperable mobile money service network through a partnership with Vodacom, Airtel and Zantel.

In 2015, Tigo launched music streaming service Tigo Music.

In 2013, it became the country’s first mobile network provider to offer 3G and won the mobile industry GSMA’s Highly Commended Award under the Best Network Improvement category.

In 2014, Tigo Tanzania saw subscriber numbers double, data volumes triple and smartphone sales rise significantly.

Its mobile money brand Tigo Pesa was the first mobile money service ever to pay customers a return on balances held in their accounts. It has became, in 2014, the first in Africa to access a fully interoperable mobile money service network, through a unique partnership with set up with Vodacom, Airtel and Zantel.

Most recently, in 2015, the music streaming service Tigo Music launched, offering customers easy access to an archive of more than 30 million streamable tracks.