ATTRACTING Information and Communication Technologies (ICT s) investment in developing countries is important in meeting increased demand for retail and corporate internet services.
ICTs have the potential to help in the provision of quality services when it comes to education, health, commerce and public administration. Statistics show that in Tanzania, the sector is growing at between 15 and 20 per cent annually, which is the highest in the East African Community (EAC) Region.
It is argued that ICTs are vital in protecting the interests of various stakeholders such as consumers, service providers and the government, who have now embraced e-learning, tele-medicine and e-commerce. The private sector is seen as a key player in bringing about flow of investments in the ICT sector, while the government has been showing commitments to improving the business environment to ensure both local and foreign investors benefit from their investments.
Increased investment in the ICT sector is necessary for the transformation of the country into a knowledge society. It is also necessary to transform the country's economy into one with higher income and quality growth over the next decade with knowledge and innovation. Substantial investments in ICT s are crucial not only for enhancing healthy competition geared at promoting quality of education, but more importantly to bring the nation to the middle income status by 2025.
To foster efficiencies mobile operators, for example, have in recent days came up with a tower sharing strategy aimed at cutting down costs while offering quality services to clients. "Infrastructure sharing is also expected to impact positively on quality of services across operators as they leverage on existing network to boost their coverage and capacity requirements," the Helios Tanzania, Chief Executive Officer, Mr Norman Moyo said during an interview over the weekend.
Tower sharing has proved fruitful in fulfilling the increase demand for retail and corporate data and internet services in both urban and rural areas. The company was founded by Helios Investment Partners, an African-focused private equity investment firm with particular expertise in telecommunications and tower operations in the continent. Helios Towers Africa reduces telecom carbon footprint and was early this month awarded the "Best Network Improvement," 2012 AfricaCom in Cape Town, South Africa.
By Sebastian Mrindoko,