The first part of the installation covered these routes Northern Ring I that has point of presence in Babati, Arusha, Moshi, and Tanga. Northern Ring II which covers Dar es Salaam, Morogoro, Iringa, Dodoma and Singida. Western Link covers Shinyanga, Mwanza, Geita, Biharamulo, Rusomo and Kambanga. The fiber optic cables has come to replace the existing technology the microwave satellite that was insufficient in providing services and also very expensive compared to the fiber optic cables.
During the closing session of the 36th Dar es Salaam international Trade Fair (DITF) the national information communication and technology broadband backbone (NICTBB) technical coordinator Engineer Anita Chigumbe, said 7400km line has reached all border areas ready to spread to other nearby countries.
According to her she said " for the optic fiber to reach all these areas, means that any other country interested in extending kit across the border, can give us business," she said. The line was built in two phases, phase one between 2009-2010 and second phase between 2020-2012.
The areas switched on this month include Lindi, Mtwara, Songea, Makambako, Tunduma, Sumbawanga, Kigoma, Manyovu, Biharamulo, Musioma, Sirali, Tanga and Horohoro, can exercise the benefit of faster communication from the cable. The fiber optic has reduced the telecommunication charges effectively by 99 percent specifically in internet charges. Border that have reached with the service include Mtukula, Namanga, Manyovu, Rusumo and other borders with Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Both the first and second phase cost the government $200m about 318 billion Tanzanian Shillings.