The Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA) has concluded the auction of mobile spectrum licences, earning a total of USD 187.5 million. TCRA said that five bidders participated in the auction, which was held on 11 October. Four bidders, namely Airtel, Vodacom, Tigo and Viettel which trades as Halotel, won a total of eleven blocks in different bands. No blocks remained unsold in the 700 MHz, 2,300 MHz, 2,600 MHz and 3,500 MHz bands.

Airtel Tanzania said it purchased 140 MHz of additional spectrum spread across the 2,600 MHz (2 blocks of 2x15MHz) and 3,500 MHz bands for a gross consideration of USD 60.1 million. Airtel said the additional spectrum will support its network expansion in the market for both mobile data and fixed-wireless home broadband capability, including 5G rollout, providing significant capacity to accommodate continued strong data growth in the country. 

Vodacom won one block in the 700 MHz band at USD 25.55 million, two blocks in the 2,300 MHz range for USD 34.38 million and one block in the 2,600 MHz band at USD 3.3 million. Tigo Tanzania won two blocks at USD 34 million in the 3,500 MHz band, while Viettel won one block in the 2,600 MHz band for USD 30.7 million.Ā Ā 

TCRA said it has included coverage and quality of service obligations for all successful bidders to ensure that consumers fully benefit from access to mobile broadband services.

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