Tanzania's telco cash in as social media use rises sharply

Internet subscription in Tanzania is growing at annual rate of 17 perecent. PHOTO | COURTESY

Dar es Salaam. The ongoing rollout of mobile broadband is having a profound impact on internet usage as Tanzanians increasingly turn to social media platforms as sources of information and entertainment, according to a new report.

With 77 percent of Tanzania’s population covered by either 3G or 4G broadband networks, usage of social media platforms such as YouTube and Facebook has been on the rise in recent years, which explains why mobile data is now the fastest growing revenue stream for telecommunication firms.