Affordable smartphones, the missing digital link

DAR ES SALAAM: A farmer in a remote village may live within reach of a 4G network, a university student may have access to fast internet coverage, and a small business owner may be surrounded by expanding digital infrastructure. Yet, without an affordable smartphone, much of this technological progress remains out of reach.

This is the paradox confronting Tanzania as it advances its digital transformation…the networks are increasingly available, but the devices needed to unlock their benefits remain beyond the reach of many citizens.

Ericsson’s Vice-President and Head of Networks for Europe, Middle East and Africa, Ante Mihovilovic, says Tanzania is among Africa’s leading countries in telecommunications development, with nearly 98 per cent of its population having access to 4G network coverage.

However, he cautions that the country’s achievements in network expansion risk falling short of their potential if more people cannot afford devices that allow them to access advanced digital services.

Speaking during an interview on the sidelines of Ericsson’s Imagine Live event, he revealed that only about one in three mobile phones in Tanzania is a smartphone, despite the extensive availability of 4G connectivity.

“Tanzania is probably one of the leading countries. You started very early here with the 5G network build-out and, as we discussed today, the whole country is covered at least with 4G. About 98 per cent of the people actually have access to a 4G signal,” he said.

He nevertheless emphasised that connectivity infrastructure alone does not guarantee digital inclusion.

“While the networks are there, there are not enough smartphones. Only one out of three phones is a smartphone. That means that from the government’s, operators’ and vendors’ points of view, a lot has been done. The country is ready, but it does not really count if people cannot use it,” he said.

His observation points to a critical dimension of Tanzania’s digital development agenda. As the country expands its technological capabilities, affordability of internet-enabled devices will increasingly determine how widely citizens benefit from digital investments.

The challenge is particularly important as artificial intelligence (AI) becomes increasingly integrated into education, financial services, healthcare, agriculture, commerce and public administration.

Mihovilovic argues that AI’s potential cannot be fully realised through investments in data centres and sophisticated computing systems alone. Reliable telecommunications networks and affordable devices are equally important in connecting these capabilities to ordinary people.

“It is easy to build a data centre somewhere, but if people cannot use AI capabilities, then it is not going to work on a big scale,” he said.

He believes Tanzania is already technologically prepared to integrate AI into its telecommunications infrastructure, noting that equipment powering the country’s 4G and 5G networks can support AI applications through software upgrades.

The remaining challenge, he says, is ensuring that citizens have affordable smartphones and other connected devices to access the services.

Beyond individual connectivity, Ericsson sees small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) as another important frontier in Tanzania’s digital transformation.

The company’s Head of Ericsson East and North Africa, Alain Maupin, says extending reliable and affordable connectivity to smaller businesses could accelerate productivity, competitiveness and economic growth.

He argues that telecommunications operators have an important role in developing flexible packages that enable businesses to access services according to their financial capacity without compromising quality.

“There are different models for achieving this. One approach is to work through communications service providers, such as Airtel, Vodafone and Axian, which have business units dedicated to helping small and medium-sized enterprises access connectivity,” he said.

Maupin believes differentiated connectivity will be an important driver of the next phase of digital growth, particularly as businesses increasingly depend on online platforms, digital payments, cloud services and data-driven operations.

Ericsson works with telecommunications operators in Tanzania, including Yas, Airtel and Vodafone, providing network technologies, technical support and expertise to help them respond to changing market demands.

The company also draws on its international experience across 180 countries to facilitate knowledge-sharing and introduce practices that have helped operators improve services and increase revenues elsewhere.

However, expanding connectivity and digital services also brings growing cybersecurity responsibilities.

Maupin says protecting networks, personal information and institutional data must become an integral part of telecommunications operations, particularly as countries transition towards 5G and more advanced digital systems.

He describes 5G as a secure and robust technology but warns that security cannot be guaranteed through technology alone.

Operators must continuously update systems, install security patches and strengthen their networks against emerging cyber threats.

He says cybersecurity awareness is increasing in Africa, although more effort is needed to make security practices part of everyday network management.

Trusted networks, he adds, must be built on privacy protection, ethical conduct and safeguards against unauthorised access to sensitive information.

Ericsson is also engaging the Tanzanian government on spectrum management, cybersecurity and preparations for the 2027 World Radiocommunication Conference.

Maupin says Tanzania has valuable spectrum resources, although their allocation is somewhat fragmented, creating opportunities for more efficient management to improve network performance and service delivery.

At the opening of Ericsson Imagine Live Tanzania, Director General of the ICT Commission, Dr Nkundwe Mwasaga, representing the Minister for Communication and Information Technology, Angellah Kairuki, underscored the importance of technology, innovation and collaboration in advancing the country’s digital transformation.

Reflecting on Ericsson’s 150-year history, he acknowledged the company’s contribution to telecommunications development and its longstanding presence in Tanzania.

He also highlighted the importance of cooperation between government, technology providers and other players in the ICT ecosystem in advancing 5G, artificial intelligence and next-generation connectivity.

In a demonstration of how emerging technologies are already changing everyday activities, Dr Mwasaga revealed at the conclusion of his keynote address that he had delivered his speech while wearing AI-powered smart glasses.

He described it as the first speech by a government official in Tanzania delivered using the technology, offering delegates a practical illustration of AI’s growing possibilities.

Ericsson’s presence in Africa dates back 132 years, when it began operating in Ethiopia, while its business activities in Tanzania started in 2000 with the introduction of the first 2G network. The company established its local office in 2003 and has since supported the country’s transition through 3G, 4G and 5G technologies, with 5G launched towards the end of 2022.

As it celebrates 150 years of global operations, Ericsson considers Africa an important market for future growth, given its population of more than one billion people and large youthful demographic.

Mihovilovic says the company intends to remain on the continent for the long term, continuing its partnerships with governments and telecommunications operators.

“My message would be that it would be very good if everybody understands that we plan to be here in Africa for another 150 years,” he said.

Ultimately, Tanzania’s digital transformation will be measured not simply by the number of telecommunications towers, the speed of internet connections or the sophistication of AI systems.

Its real success will depend on whether a small business can afford reliable connectivity, whether a student can access digital learning resources, whether a farmer can obtain useful information through a smartphone and whether ordinary citizens can participate in an increasingly digital economy.

The infrastructure is expanding and the technology is advancing. The next challenge is ensuring that the benefits reach more people.