Geza Ulole
JF-Expert Member
- Oct 31, 2009
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Minister for Communication, Science and Technology, Prof Makame Mbarawa has said that Tanzania successfully implemented the Geneva Agreement on migration from analogue to digital television broadcasting, making it among the first countries in the African region to migrate.
Prof Mbarawa was speaking at the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) 2014 Plenipotentiary Conference in South Korea. The conference is attended by more than 3,000 delegates.
He said by June 2014, digital broadcasting footprints covered 70 percent of the country, "we are expecting to cover the whole country before the set deadline."
The minister noted that Tanzania has recorded significant progress for national and regional connectivity. He said the government has invested in the deployment of 7,560 km of Broadband Fiber optic cable, currently connecting all administrative regions in the country.
"The broadband optic fiber cable network also connects land-locked countries through multiple connections to the border points of Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Kenya, Zambia and Malawi. In addition, Seychelles is also connected by fiber optic underwater cable from Tanzania," said Prof Mbarawa.
He said Tanzania's ICT policy, legal and converged licencing framework to guide the sector has paid great dividends. He further said that Tanzania tele density (telecommunication penetration) stands at 64 percent.
"The number of mobile phone users has increased to over 28.3 million people from 21.2 million people in 2010. Internet users have increased from 5.1 million in 2010 to over 9.6 million today," noted.
He said currently, 57 percent of the population above 16 years of age has access to financial services compared to just 27 percent in the year 2009, thanks to mobile phone money services.
Minister Mbarawa further said that, because of the experience Tanzania has in spearheading the development of ICT in the country, it has been consistent to ITU goals and targets for developing countries.
"We are asking for support for Membership in the General Council of the ITU". In this regard, I now wish to inform this conference that Tanzania has put her candidature for the seat of the ITU Council representing Region D. Tanzania is capable of delivering and are counting on all ITU members to vote for Tanzania.
We are determined to share our experience and support ITU family and deliver to the ITU Vision and Mission," said Prof Mbarawa.
Tanzania is among 17 countries from ITU Region D contesting for 13 seats in the ICT council during an election to take place from Thursday this week to Monday next week.
Tanzania has been active in various ITU initiatives from its resolutions and decisions since joining the organisation. Tanzania has adopted pro-ICT policies with supportive legislation to build an ICT-driven nation.
ITU's Plenipotentiary is the world's largest meeting of international policy makers from the information and communication (ICT) sector.
Known informally as PP-14, this year's conference welcomes participants from some 175 ITU Member States, Sector Members and observer organisations, including over 104 ministers, 35 deputy ministers and 67 ambassadors. It happens every four years to set the strategic direction of ITU and to develop policies and recommendations that address the evolving needs of the Union's members.
Issues on this year's agenda include digital inclusion and broadband rollout, broader international cooperation on ICT development and new strategies to encourage membership and strengthen multi-stakeholder participation.
For the first time, the conference will also try to reach international agreement on establishment of new global ICT development goals and targets under a new framework called ‘Connect 2020'.
The Tanzania delegation is headed by Prof Makame Mbarawa and his Alternate Head of Delegation, Juma Duni Haji, Zanzibar minister for Communication and Works and other officials from the sector.
Source: THE GUARDIAN
MY TAKE
What percent is Kenya? 0% :A S-eek:
waltham, NairobiWalker, Yule-Msee, lawmaina78, EngineerLMG
Digital broadcasting usage in Tanzania reaches 70 pct
Prof Mbarawa was speaking at the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) 2014 Plenipotentiary Conference in South Korea. The conference is attended by more than 3,000 delegates.
He said by June 2014, digital broadcasting footprints covered 70 percent of the country, "we are expecting to cover the whole country before the set deadline."
The minister noted that Tanzania has recorded significant progress for national and regional connectivity. He said the government has invested in the deployment of 7,560 km of Broadband Fiber optic cable, currently connecting all administrative regions in the country.
"The broadband optic fiber cable network also connects land-locked countries through multiple connections to the border points of Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Kenya, Zambia and Malawi. In addition, Seychelles is also connected by fiber optic underwater cable from Tanzania," said Prof Mbarawa.
He said Tanzania's ICT policy, legal and converged licencing framework to guide the sector has paid great dividends. He further said that Tanzania tele density (telecommunication penetration) stands at 64 percent.
"The number of mobile phone users has increased to over 28.3 million people from 21.2 million people in 2010. Internet users have increased from 5.1 million in 2010 to over 9.6 million today," noted.
He said currently, 57 percent of the population above 16 years of age has access to financial services compared to just 27 percent in the year 2009, thanks to mobile phone money services.
Minister Mbarawa further said that, because of the experience Tanzania has in spearheading the development of ICT in the country, it has been consistent to ITU goals and targets for developing countries.
"We are asking for support for Membership in the General Council of the ITU". In this regard, I now wish to inform this conference that Tanzania has put her candidature for the seat of the ITU Council representing Region D. Tanzania is capable of delivering and are counting on all ITU members to vote for Tanzania.
We are determined to share our experience and support ITU family and deliver to the ITU Vision and Mission," said Prof Mbarawa.
Tanzania is among 17 countries from ITU Region D contesting for 13 seats in the ICT council during an election to take place from Thursday this week to Monday next week.
Tanzania has been active in various ITU initiatives from its resolutions and decisions since joining the organisation. Tanzania has adopted pro-ICT policies with supportive legislation to build an ICT-driven nation.
ITU's Plenipotentiary is the world's largest meeting of international policy makers from the information and communication (ICT) sector.
Known informally as PP-14, this year's conference welcomes participants from some 175 ITU Member States, Sector Members and observer organisations, including over 104 ministers, 35 deputy ministers and 67 ambassadors. It happens every four years to set the strategic direction of ITU and to develop policies and recommendations that address the evolving needs of the Union's members.
Issues on this year's agenda include digital inclusion and broadband rollout, broader international cooperation on ICT development and new strategies to encourage membership and strengthen multi-stakeholder participation.
For the first time, the conference will also try to reach international agreement on establishment of new global ICT development goals and targets under a new framework called ‘Connect 2020'.
The Tanzania delegation is headed by Prof Makame Mbarawa and his Alternate Head of Delegation, Juma Duni Haji, Zanzibar minister for Communication and Works and other officials from the sector.
Source: THE GUARDIAN
MY TAKE
What percent is Kenya? 0% :A S-eek:
waltham, NairobiWalker, Yule-Msee, lawmaina78, EngineerLMG
Digital broadcasting usage in Tanzania reaches 70 pct
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