The Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA) joins other world stakeholders to mark the World Telecommunication and Information Society Day – WTISD on 17 May 2024.

This annual event commemorates the day the convention founding the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) was signed.

ITU, the United Nations Specialized Agency for Information and Communications Technologies (ICT) was founded to facilitate international connectivity in communication networks and manage the allocation of global radio spectrum and satellite orbits.

ITU’s other functions are to develop the technical standards that ensure seamless connectivity of networks and improve access to digital technologies in remote and underserved communities worldwide.

As Tanzania’s communications/ICT regulator, TCRA is proud to be part of the drive towards realizing the objectives for which ITU was founded.

This year’s WTISD theme is Digital Innovation for Sustainable Development. It focuses on creating and enhancing an inclusive and sustainable approach towards the digital economy through innovation.

Digital innovation is a critical pillar in the digital economy to cope with global trends in economic development.

With the current rapid changes in the digital environment, innovation facilitates unlocking existing opportunities, overcomes societal challenges, and provides sound solutions through ICT.

This year’s theme is a call for deliberate efforts to create an environment that promotes digital innovation in Tanzania to align with global development towards meeting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.

In acknowledging the potential of innovation, TCRA collaborates with the Tanzania Commission for Science and Technology (COSTECH) to support technological innovations. The Authority assigns communications resources free of charge for up to 90 (ninety) days to communications resources to innovators and start-ups to test their projects.

The resources include communications numbers, codes, frequencies and the dot tz domain name. The latter is for internet addresses. An example is short code *146*XXs assigned and temporarily issued to innovators.

TCRA collaborates with service providers in this programme.

The Authority is exploring ways to create an environment that facilitates the participation of start-ups in the communications value chain and as successful independent entrepreneurs.

Furthermore, TCRA also promotes innovations among students at all levels to promote skills in science, technologies, engineering and mathematics (STEM) among children and youths.

STEM is critical in developing the requisite knowledge and skills for a digital economy in Tanzania.

TCRA acknowledges the roles and contributions of service providers and all communications sector stakeholders.

The Authority urges them to continue investing in ICT infrastructure and provide different ICT services so that Tanzania can effectively develop critical infrastructure and a conducive environment for digital transformation and innovations in Tanzania.

I wish all Tanzanians, communications sector stakeholders, the information society and ITU a memorable WTISD in 2024.