Vodacom in Tanzania
2000 2009
Overview
Vodacom Tanzania Limited is Tanzanias leading cellular network offering state-of-the-art GSM communication services to more than 6 million customers across the country.
Vodacom Tanzania is a subsidiary company of Vodacom Group (Pty) Limited, South Africa. Vodacom Group (Pty) Limited owns a majority share portion of 65%, the remaining 35% is owned by Tanzanian shareholder, one Mirambo ltd.
Operational Milestones
In December 1999, Vodacom Group (Pty) Ltd. won a bid to operate a GSM cellular network and provide Public Land Mobile Network Services (PLMN) in the United Republic of Tanzania and formed the subsidiary company Vodacom Tanzania.
By July 2000, Vodacom Tanzania completed its state of the art GSM infrastructure and went live August 14, 2000. Within the first four months of operations 50,000 subscribers were connected.
In September 2004, Vodacom connected its one millionth customer and the company continued to grow rapidly. In September 2005, the Government of Tanzania introduced the converged licensing framework, which was meant to enhance the provision of communication services in the country thus bringing in the concept of technology neutrality.
As leader in the telecommunications market, in February 2006, Vodacom Tanzania took a bold decision to negotiate converting its PLMN license into the new licensing framework.
In March 2006, Vodacom Tanzania, recorded its two millionth customer. In July 2006, Vodacom Tanzania was granted three major service licenses in the Communications Sector namely, Network Facilities License, Network Services License & Application Services License, with the authority to provide a range of communication services, voice & data combined both nationally & internationally.
This opened a new era for increased investment and a more focused provision of quality communication services to the people of Tanzania. In January 2007, Vodacom reached another milestone as it connected its third million subscriber, and became the first mobile network in Tanzania to post such a huge subscriber base. Today, 9 years later we have over 6 million subscribers and still counting.
Network and Coverage
Vodacom Tanzania has deployed state of the art technology, thereby enhancing its product portfolio and positioning itself as the market leader for any communication solution. For voice, data, leased lines, PABX connectivity, international connectivity, WiMAX solutions, remote communication solutions over satellite or banking solutions, Vodacom Tanzania addresses the need.
Technologies available to subscribers, both individuals and corporate through Vodacom Tanzania include:
GSM 900/1800 countrywide covering 75.82% of the population
GPRS countrywide covering 75.82% of the population
EDGE in selected towns and cities covering 50% of the population
3G with HSDPA in Dar es Salaam, Arusha, Moshi, Mwanza, Mbeya, Bukoba, Kahama, Geita, Shinyanga, Tabora, Singida, Namanga, Tanga, Dodoma, Morogoro, Makambako, Mbeya, Tunduma, Lindi, Mtwara and Masasi.
WiMAX 802.16d in 5 major cities covering 70% of business premises.
Competition has increased significantly over the last year in Tanzania. Besides quality, coverage plays an extremely important role in the competition race.
Vodacom Business
Vodacom Tanzania is more than just a mere cell phone company, over the years it has established itself as a total solutions provider. To live up to expectations and cater for ever growing corporate needs in the country, Vodacom recently established Vodacom Business division.
Vodacom Business is a leading provider of converged communication solutions that are customer-centric, technology-driven, cost-effective, and innovative and generate sustainable value. Vodacom customers can now meet all their communication requirements, from mobile telephony through internet access to hosted applications, with a single service provider.
Through the division, Vodacom offers a comprehensive portfolio of access technologies and data solutions to help organizations of all sizes achieve the agility they need to compete successfully in a connected world.
Vodacom Business also offers a comprehensive range of Managed Hosted services including basic and dedicated hosting and storage, backup and disaster recovery. Security services include perimeter firewalls, email and web content filtering and anti-virus and anti-spam solutions.
Products and Services
Vodacom Tanzania has been a leader in the market for myriad of reasons. Vodacom stands out for introducing new products and services for the first time in the country as others follow. Below is a range of Vodacom Tanzania products offered to customers and those still on the pipeline.
Product Portfolio Key Product Offerings
Vodacom Voice
VodaChoice
Talk Packages
VodaJAZA
Vodacoms International Roaming service-postpaid and prepaid
Kama Kawaida
Migration
Least Cost Router Fusion 220/100
Corporate Bulk SMS
International Calling and Gateway Services
Data International Roaming postpaid
WASP wholesale services
Virtual Home Environment roaming service
Vodago Prepaid per minute and per second billing
Vodachoice Postpaid per minute and per second billing
32k Sim packs
Physical recharge vouchers
Vodafasta electronic recharge service
Vodarusha credit transfer service
Voicemail service
TUZO Points points based rewards programme
TUZO Droo lucky draw rewards programme
Vodacom Internet
SMS - prepaid and postpaid packages
Corporate Bulk SMS service
Mobile internet prepaid and postpaid packages
(GPRS, EDGE and 3G)
Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS)
Vodamail free email address to all subscribers
Video Calls
BlackBerry service
Vodacom Internet Caf้
Internet @ home
Converged Solutions
Corporate APN services VPN over GPRS and 3G
IP Access Service Access and connectivity services using fixed/wireless options (E1 microwave, Wimax,
Ethernet)
IP VPN Service providing class of service differentiation in IP network core
Dedicated Internet Service Corporate, SME
PABX Fixed Voice
Media and Entertainment
Vodaflava content download service
Vodacom TV IP streaming TV service
WASP content services
The Grid
MyFlava Ringback Tone
Vodafone M-Pesa
Vodafone M-Pesa is a revolutionary financial service offered by Vodacom Tanzania and the first choice for Tanzanians who need to send money anywhere in Tanzania to any person with a mobile phone. With Vodafone, customers are assured of money transfers that are immediate, safe and most importantly, reliable.
Introduced in April, 2008, Vodafone M-Pesa has been reaching out to every corner of Tanzania ever since. The services of Vodafone M-Pesa are mainly Person to Person, Customer to Business, Business to Customer and Business to Business.
Persons to Person
Scenarios include Vodacom customers using M-Pesa to repay debts from friends and families, to send money home to support families, to pay the suppliers of merchandises and to purchase airtime.
Customer to Business
Money transfers include bill payments, school fees, donations, purchase of products and loan repayment.
Business to Customer
Transfers involve salary payments, fuel disbursement, as is the case with Vodacom which has been using M-Pesa to disburse fuel allowances for its employees when travelling upcountry. Other payments are promotional and loan disbursement and repayment.
Business to Business
Transfers involve a business organization that makes payments to other business organizations. Both businesses need to be registered on M-Pesa, one being granted with Web and another having a phone. The business with a phone will make payments to the one with Web, a normal bill payment option will be used to settle this payment.
This type of transaction is not a marker checker type of transaction, but both organizations have access to reports for audit trail. Vodacom being the mobile company that provides business payment solution to business organizations, they provide training, provide access and support both the payer and the payee.
Vodacom charges the business organization for the use of this product, the other business customers is charged as applied on business customer rule.
Corporate Social Responsibility:
Vodacom Foundation
Vodacom Foundation was launched in 28th July 2006. The foundation is a sign of our Commitment to helping the needy in a sustainable way. The Vodacom foundation supports Tanzanians especially disadvantaged and marginalized groups with the aim of enriching lives through poverty alleviation and economic development.
To date we have implemented over 70 projects and directly reached thousands of individuals from more than 17 regions of Tanzania.
Vodacom Foundation continues to reinforce Vodacom as a caring brand by partnering with communities to bring change. We implement projects from a four pillar strategy in Education, Health, Economic Empowerment and Social welfare.
Education
The Foundation provides assistance to government schools by improving physical infrastructure by building classrooms, Improving access of information and technology resources like Computers to public schools, and provision of educational resources for effective learning.
Health
The Foundation supports initiatives that aim to improve the health of Tanzanians by improving physical Infrastructure by building and renovating hospitals and clinics, Provide support and access to health services and providing solutions that remedy common health problems.
Economic Empowerment
The foundation works with various community groups, the disabled, those living with terminal illnesses to sustain economic activities. We provide assistance by various work tools required in their small scale industries. Through these projects we are able to help disabled people rebuild their lives and support their families.
Social welfare
The foundation works with various communities in Tanzania to improve living conditions. Projects include drilling of water wells and undertaking environmental activities and other activities that seek to improve the well being of the community.
Sponsorships:
Sports development
Vodacom Tanzania is a great supporter of sports development; we have invested in different sports in Tanzania both at the national and regional levels.
Football
Over the past 8 years, Vodacom has invested in the National Soccer League which is the best platform for picking players for the national team. 12 teams compete for the annual trophy of Vodacom Premier League.
Beauty Pageant
Vodacom is the title sponsor of Vodacom Miss Tanzania. Happening in all regions of Tanzania, this event attracts a lot of huge media coverage and is designed to develop beauty talent among young ladies in Tanzania.
Cycle challenge.
For the past 4 years, Vodacom organizes an annual cycle challenge event in Mwanza where cyclists from all corners of Tanzania compete in the Vodacom Mwanza Cycle Challenge.
Marathon
Vodacom is involved in the sponsorship of two most popular Marathon in Tanzania.
- Kilimanjaro Marathon; Vodacom is the main sponsor of the Kilimanjaro 5KM Fun Run that happens in Moshi every year.
- Dar Marathon; Vodacom is the main sponsor for the Dar Marathon, the only Marathon at sea level in the whole of Southern Sahara.
Other sports sponsored by Vodacom include fishing, swimming and dhow race
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