Dar es salaam, Tanzania – In a groundbreaking initiative aimed at propelling the growth of digital technology startups and fostering innovative solutions to community challenges, Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA) has teamed up with Tanzania Commission for Science and Technology (COSTECH) and communication service providers to offer rare and essential communication resources for free.

The collaborative effort seeks to nurture the burgeoning landscape of digital innovation within the country, ensuring that startups have the necessary tools to flourish and contribute positively to society through their technological advancements. These rare communication resources, which are crucial for the development of digital technologies, are made available for a trial period of three months, with the potential for extension up to nine months.

Among the resources provided are numbering resources, frequency spectrum, postcodes, and residential addresses.

Speaking from the heart of the business city of Dar es salaam, Director-General of TCRA, Dr. Jabiri Bakari, emphasised the authority's commitment to this venture.

"TCRA is dedicated to equipping various startups with the resources they need to conduct trials of their services over a specific period," he stated. As of June 2023, TCRA had already allocated these invaluable resources to four innovative startups. Bakari urged young entrepreneurs, innovators, and researchers to submit their groundbreaking ideas to COSTECH, assuring them that upon approval, they will gain unfettered access to these resources at no cost.

Crucially, effective management of communication resources, including spectrum and numbers, underpins the availability of communication services, such as mobile money services and other essential digital services.

Complementing TCRA's initiative, the Head of Communications at COSTECH, Ms. Mary Kigosi, echoed the significance of collaboration for the advancement of the nation.

"Our partnership with TCRA in providing these communication resources to innovators aligns seamlessly with our mission to promote community-oriented innovations," she commented.

Kigosi echoed Dr. Bakari's call to action, urging aspiring innovators, particularly the youth, to seize this unprecedented chance and leverage the resources offered by the two government bodies.

TCRA, responsible for regulating Tanzania's Communication Sector, plays a pivotal role in managing essential aspects of communication. From the allocation of numbers used in communications, including short codes vital for financial transactions, to overseeing dot TZ domains, TCRA ensures secure and effective functioning of these communication elements. Director-General Jabiri revealed that the Authority had achieved remarkable success in domain registrations, marking a notable increase over the past year.

Innovators, in their pursuit of creative ventures, including e-commerce businesses, are encouraged to capitalize on these resources. With more than 65 domain name registrars scattered throughout Tanzania, the Tanzania communications regulator asserts that these resources can be easily accessed.

In an effort to connect with innovators, among various other stakeholders, TCRA has strategically set up offices in crucial regions. These locations include Zanzibar, Arusha, Mbeya, Dodoma, Dar es Salaam, and Mwanza. Innovators can readily seek clarification at these regional offices or choose to visit the COSTECH office. Alternatively, they can reach out to the TCRA headquarters by dialing the toll-free number for inquiries which is provided on authority various online platforms.

TCRA, an indispensable government institution, emerged from the amalgamation of the former Tanzania Broadcasting Commission and the Tanzania Communications Commission. Established through the Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority Act No. 12 of 2003, TCRA has tirelessly fulfilled its duties since November 1, 2003, overseeing telecommunications, internet, broadcasting, and postal sub-sectors.

As Tanzania charges forward into a digital future, the collaboration between TCRA, COSTECH, communication service providers and the nation's budding innovators promises to reshape industries, drive economic growth, and enrich the lives of citizens through ingenious technological solutions.