TTCL pushes fibre links below 20pc
DAR ES SALAAM: TTCL Corporation intensifies efforts to link the remaining districts to the National ICT Broadband Backbone (NICTBB), as the drive to connect the country with fibre optic cable hovers just below the 20 per cent mark.
The state-owned enterprise has already linked 112 districts across 26 mainland regions, with efforts underway to complete the connection of the remaining 27 districts using marine-based fibre optic cable to extend communication coverage.
The TTCL Corporation’s Booth Manager, Ms Janeth Maeda, told Daily News on Wednesday that they are working to connect the remaining 19.42 per cent NICTBB to cover all 139 districts to complete the exercise.
“We have already linked the 112 districts with over 14,000 kilometres of underground fibre optic cable,” said Ms Maeda at the ongoing 49th International Trade Fair at Mwalimu Nyerere Grounds in Dar es Salaam.
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TTCL is a reliable national integrator entrusted by the government to manage and operate strategic national communication infrastructure, including the National ICT Backbone and the National Internet Data Centre (NIDC).
“Some of the unconnected districts are in the final stages of being reached with the cable, which links Tanzania through the undersea infrastructure,” she said.
The government has allocated 73bn/-, in this fiscal year, to boost digital infrastructure, especially the implementation of NICTBB project. Other things include the installation of Wi-Fi in 50 public spaces and construction of two national data centres in Zanzibar and Dodoma.
Ms Maeda pinpointed the crucial role TTCL plays in supporting government institutions, the financial sector, health services, education, transportation, mining, tourism and NGOs to have simplified access to internet connectivity.
“Our fibre optic technology enables these institutions to improve efficiency, reduce communication costs and enhance data security,” she said.
TTCL is currently linking 96 per cent of banks and financial institutions and serving over 700 clients in the health sector. The company has also extended the fibre optic cable to link all neighbouring countries except the Democratic Republic of Congo, where work is ongoing.
“We are proud that government ministries and agencies themselves rely on TTCL. Our goal is to support the government’s digital agenda and improve service delivery to citizens through effective use of ICT,” she noted.
