QUOTE(Guardian Reporter)
Internet cafe operators in Dar es Salaam have praised Vodacom Tanzania for launching data card services, which offer broad band speed for users.
Speaking to this paper, in an interview over the weekend in Dar es Salaam, they said the services would enable them do their businesses much more comfortably as compared to the past.
`This is one of the fastest broad bands, that can assist our customers get the information they require immediately,` said one operator identified as Gabriel Bamu from Kijitonyama on behalf of others.
On Friday last week, Vodacom Tanzania Limited launched the first of its third generation (3G) High Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA) data card which will enable internet users connect from any point and make downloads.
The data card would enables customers to browse the Internet, send and receive SMS, chat using existing instant messaging service, access business applications such as Internet based e-mail accounts and connect to the company`s network using its VPN solution - all from the convenience of their laptop anywhere at anytime.
Announcing the launch, its managing Director, Romeo Kumalo, said vodacom would make the product available on both post-paid and prepaid packages through its Vodashops in Dar es Salaam.
`Our 3G HSDPA launch has created much anticipation among consumers and the media and I`m very proud of our team, because they made it possible for us to bring it to market as promised,` said Romeo in a statement made available to The Guardian.
The launch places the company and Tanzania in a stronger position and sets apart, as the country is only the second in Africa after South Africa to launch the programme.
3G HSDPA is a technology that delivers superior speed with the added benefit of mobility and can be installed onto the GSM network backbone to provide `data` connectivity via a mobile device, according to Kumalo.
Meanwhile customers of Vodacom Tanzania have praised the company for teaming up with other mobile phone operators in East Africa hence enabling them to communicate easily through roaming.
Early this month the company announced that it has agreed with Safaricom of Kenya and MTN of Uganda, to form the power of the big three thus redefining roaming.
The product also known in Kiswahili as `Kama Kawaida` was officially launched early this month at a vibrant ceremony held in Dar es Salaam by Kumalo in the presence of the MTN Uganda CEO, Noel Meier and Safaricom CEO Michael Joseph by Dr Makongoro Mahanga, the Deputy Minister for Infrastructure Development.
The opening of the East African market is set to promote more business trade across the borders and with the removal of roaming charges across the region, the reduction of communications and business costs � Vodacom Tanzania believes that the product will help facilitate trade and business execution for its corporate customers.
`Kama Kawaida` enables customers to use their Vodacom Tanzania number across East Africa with the added benefits of receiving incoming calls and SMS for free; making calls and sending SMS at their home tariffs; and recharging with their own vouchers while not in Tanzania!
In the same way, SafaricomKenya and MTN Uganda customers will roam with Vodacom Tanzania at their own home rates.
In essence, customers of all three networks can enjoy seamless connectivity across the three borders of Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda.
Furthermore, there are no hidden activation or connection charges or any rate misconceptions.
With the launch of `Kama Kawaida` the three networks are offering over 10 million customers the advantages of seamless cellular communication in the three countries.
The product also signifies a major milestone in the relationship of the networks across the region, with Vodacom Tanzania entering a cooperative commercial agreement with MTN Uganda for the very first time, primarily for the pure benefits of the consumer, according to Kumalo.
`We see this as a great opportunity to further the common East African Community vision of creating synergies that will ultimately spur economic and political development in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania,` he said.
In essence, Vodacom Tanzania is contributing to the goals and efforts of the East African Community � assisting the three governments in achieving the ideals of a borderless economy, Kumalo said.
`Kama Kawaida` will completely transform our customers� travelling experience across East Africa, allowing for more cost effective communications between the people of East Africa � be it for business, government or personal communications with family and friends,� he said.
Vodacom Tanzania Limited has managed to increase the number of subscribers from 2 million to more than 3 million between the beginning of 2006 and January this year.
Speaking to this paper, in an interview over the weekend in Dar es Salaam, they said the services would enable them do their businesses much more comfortably as compared to the past.
`This is one of the fastest broad bands, that can assist our customers get the information they require immediately,` said one operator identified as Gabriel Bamu from Kijitonyama on behalf of others.
On Friday last week, Vodacom Tanzania Limited launched the first of its third generation (3G) High Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA) data card which will enable internet users connect from any point and make downloads.
The data card would enables customers to browse the Internet, send and receive SMS, chat using existing instant messaging service, access business applications such as Internet based e-mail accounts and connect to the company`s network using its VPN solution - all from the convenience of their laptop anywhere at anytime.
Announcing the launch, its managing Director, Romeo Kumalo, said vodacom would make the product available on both post-paid and prepaid packages through its Vodashops in Dar es Salaam.
`Our 3G HSDPA launch has created much anticipation among consumers and the media and I`m very proud of our team, because they made it possible for us to bring it to market as promised,` said Romeo in a statement made available to The Guardian.
The launch places the company and Tanzania in a stronger position and sets apart, as the country is only the second in Africa after South Africa to launch the programme.
3G HSDPA is a technology that delivers superior speed with the added benefit of mobility and can be installed onto the GSM network backbone to provide `data` connectivity via a mobile device, according to Kumalo.
Meanwhile customers of Vodacom Tanzania have praised the company for teaming up with other mobile phone operators in East Africa hence enabling them to communicate easily through roaming.
Early this month the company announced that it has agreed with Safaricom of Kenya and MTN of Uganda, to form the power of the big three thus redefining roaming.
The product also known in Kiswahili as `Kama Kawaida` was officially launched early this month at a vibrant ceremony held in Dar es Salaam by Kumalo in the presence of the MTN Uganda CEO, Noel Meier and Safaricom CEO Michael Joseph by Dr Makongoro Mahanga, the Deputy Minister for Infrastructure Development.
The opening of the East African market is set to promote more business trade across the borders and with the removal of roaming charges across the region, the reduction of communications and business costs � Vodacom Tanzania believes that the product will help facilitate trade and business execution for its corporate customers.
`Kama Kawaida` enables customers to use their Vodacom Tanzania number across East Africa with the added benefits of receiving incoming calls and SMS for free; making calls and sending SMS at their home tariffs; and recharging with their own vouchers while not in Tanzania!
In the same way, SafaricomKenya and MTN Uganda customers will roam with Vodacom Tanzania at their own home rates.
In essence, customers of all three networks can enjoy seamless connectivity across the three borders of Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda.
Furthermore, there are no hidden activation or connection charges or any rate misconceptions.
With the launch of `Kama Kawaida` the three networks are offering over 10 million customers the advantages of seamless cellular communication in the three countries.
The product also signifies a major milestone in the relationship of the networks across the region, with Vodacom Tanzania entering a cooperative commercial agreement with MTN Uganda for the very first time, primarily for the pure benefits of the consumer, according to Kumalo.
`We see this as a great opportunity to further the common East African Community vision of creating synergies that will ultimately spur economic and political development in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania,` he said.
In essence, Vodacom Tanzania is contributing to the goals and efforts of the East African Community � assisting the three governments in achieving the ideals of a borderless economy, Kumalo said.
`Kama Kawaida` will completely transform our customers� travelling experience across East Africa, allowing for more cost effective communications between the people of East Africa � be it for business, government or personal communications with family and friends,� he said.
Vodacom Tanzania Limited has managed to increase the number of subscribers from 2 million to more than 3 million between the beginning of 2006 and January this year.