DAR ES SALAAM, Tanzania: Tanzania’s telecommunications subscriptions rose to nearly 107 million by the end of December 2025, driven by continued growth in mobile broadband and rising data consumption, according to a new report by the country’s communications regulator Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority.
Total telecom subscriptions increased by 7.7% to 106.9 million from 99.3 million recorded three months earlier, underscoring the sector’s role as a core driver of Tanzania’s digital economy, the regulator said in its quarterly Communications Statistics Report.
Internet subscriptions climbed 3.2% over the same period to 58.1 million, while total data traffic jumped 9.5% to 808 petabytes, reflecting rising demand for online services, digital payments and streaming platforms.
Mobile broadband remained the dominant mode of access, accounting for about 56% of all internet subscriptions, while mobile wireless connections represented nearly all internet users nationwide. Despite the expansion of fibre networks, fixed broadband subscriptions remained comparatively low, highlighting persistent reliance on mobile infrastructure.
Dar es Salaam retained its position as Tanzania’s largest telecommunications market, with 19.68 million active subscriptions, followed by Mwanza, Arusha, Mbeya and Dodoma. Together, the five regions accounted for more than 40% of all active subscriptions, reinforcing the urban concentration of telecom demand.
Voice traffic showed signs of stabilisation, with local call volumes declining marginally by 0.3% to 47.2 billion minutes, while SMS traffic rose sharply by 9.2% to 57.8 billion messages during the quarter. The regulator said the divergence reflects a gradual shift toward data-based communication, even as traditional services remain widely used.
International voice traffic increased on both inbound and outbound routes, with calls from abroad rising by 16% and outgoing international calls increasing by 5%, led largely by traffic linked to East Africa and the wider region.
Infrastructure investment continued to expand network reach. The number of telecom towers increased to 10,029 from 9,745 in the previous quarter, while fifth-generation (5G) population coverage rose to 30.1%, up from 28.9%. Fourth-generation (4G) coverage remained above 94%, and 3G coverage reached nearly 94% of the population, the report showed.
Despite these gains, smartphone penetration remained relatively low at 41.8%, compared with feature phone penetration of 87.1%, pointing to a persistent digital divide between basic connectivity and full participation in the data economy. The regulator said the gap presents an opportunity for investment in affordable devices and digital inclusion initiatives.
Broadcasting services showed mixed performance. Active pay-TV decoder subscriptions fell by 8.5% to 2.1 million, while cable television subscriptions edged up by 2% to about 17,300, reflecting shifting consumer preferences and competitive pressures from online streaming services.
Postal and courier services remained active, handling more than 554,000 domestic items and delivering over 814,000 items nationwide during the quarter, alongside growing international mail volumes. The sector continues to support domestic commerce and cross-border trade, the regulator said.
Tanzania’s international internet capacity also remained underutilised, with only about 16% of available bandwidth activated. Officials said the unused capacity could support further growth in broadband services if matched with investment in last-mile connectivity and content development.
The regulator said sustained infrastructure rollout, rising data demand and expanding digital services position the communications sector as a strategic pillar of Tanzania’s economic transformation, while warning that affordability, device access and rural coverage remain critical policy challenges.