South African mobile service provider Vodacom is to significantly increase its capital investment in Tanzania, leading to the creation of many more jobs in that country.
Alan Knott-Craig, Vodacom Group chief executive officer, on Tuesday said the group would be increasing its investment in the East African state by about 150-billion Tanzanian shillings ($ 1 260 504) in the next year.
He said this would see cellular coverage being taken to more rural areas and providing more of the nation with affordable communication.
It will also see the installation of an earth station that will provide Tanzanians with cheaper international calls.
The increased investment would see the beginning of a 3G network in Dar es Salaam providing Tanzanians with high speed wireless data and video telephony. This network will place Tanzania at the forefront of technological innovation and make it only the second country on the African continent with a state-of-the-art 3G network.
Knott-Craig also announced in Dar es Salaam that Vodacom had pledged one billion Tanzanian shillings ($840 336) to assist in relief efforts aimed at alleviating the hunger being experienced by many Tanzanians due to the severe drought that has afflicted the country. This donation will be directed to the Tanzanian presidential relief fund. – I-Net Bridge