By Business Insider Reporter
In a landmark move set to transform Tanzania’s digital landscape, Viettel Tanzania PLC, trading as Halotel, has officially launched its nationwide 5G network – a strategic development marking a major milestone in the country’s digital transformation journey.
Speaking at the vibrant launch event in Dar es Salaam, Managing Director Bui Van Thang said the rollout positions the fast growing mobile network operator (MNO) as a key driver of next-generation connectivity, offering ultra-fast speeds, lower latency, and enhanced digital experiences for individuals, businesses, and institutions across the country.
Inclusive economy
His remarks resonated with both sector stakeholders and ordinary Tanzanians, who praised the investment as a significant step toward a high-speed, inclusive digital economy.
Those who spoke to Business Insider on the monumental fear noted that the 5G expansion heralds a new era-of connectivity – benefiting everyone from urban centres to remote rural communities, and accelerating innovation, education, and economic opportunities nationwide.
“Today marks a significant milestone in our journey of connecting Tanzanians to a faster, smarter, and more inclusive digital future. With the official launch of our 5G network, we are proud to deliver a reliable, high-speed service that will unlock new possibilities in innovation, productivity, education, and digital services across the country,” Mr. Thang emphasized.
Aligning with Dira 2050 vision
He further highlighted that Halotel’s 5G expansion is aligned with Tanzania’s national vision for a digitally driven economy.
“This launch is not just about speed; it is about empowering people, supporting businesses, and enabling institutions to thrive in the digital age,” he said.
Business analyst Mugaisha Godwin told Business Insider that the rollout is a major step toward a cash-lite, digitally empowered economy, reinforcing Halotel’s role in realizing Dira 2050, Tanzania’s long-term blueprint to become a technologically advanced, middle-income nation driven by innovation and inclusion.
“By delivering ultra-fast, low-latency internet, Halotel is not just improving communications infrastructure; it is laying the foundation for a wide range of digital services – from online banking and e-commerce to digital education and telemedicine – that are critical for socio-economic transformation,” Mr. Godwin added.
Nationwide connectivity and inclusion
Halotel’s 5G network reaches all 26 regions of Tanzania, supported by a robust network of operational towers and cutting-edge infrastructure. The service is accessible to smartphone users through specialized 5G routers and flexible data plans, ensuring affordability and wide reach.
As Roxana Christopher, Halotel’s Head of Communications, highlighted, the rollout is principally about ensuring no Tanzanian is left behind in the country’s digital inclusion drive.
“Halotel is committed to providing quality and reliable services that keep pace with global technological advancement,” she said.
Tanzania’s 5G ecosystem has been expanding rapidly, with population coverage rising from 15 percent in early 2024 to 26 percent by mid-2025, according to the Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA).
Halotel’s nationwide rollout now reinforces this trend, complementing 2G, 3G, and 4G networks that already cover over 93 percent of the population.
A decade of investment and leadership
Halotel’s 10-year presence in Tanzania has laid the groundwork for this milestone. Since 2015, the company has invested over US$700 million, deployed 18,000 km of fiber-optic cables, connected 1,500 previously unserved villages, and grown its subscriber base to 16.5 million users.
The cheapest MNO in Tanzania launched officially on October 15, 2015 as the first operator allowed to build its own fibre-optic infrastructure.
Beyond telecom, its HaloPesa mobile money platform has expanded financial inclusion, processing millions of transactions quarterly and reaching rural populations that were historically underserved.
Addressing the youth and wider public, Halotel brand ambassador Idris Sultan urged Tanzanians to see fast internet as more than entertainment.
“The internet is a vast marketplace,” he said, “where connectivity like Halotel’s 5G enables online businesses, wider customer reach, and the acquisition of digital skills.”
Sultan’s remarks highlight the role of 5G in empowering citizens to actively participate in the digital economy, fully in line with Dira 2050 aspirations.
Driving innovation and economic growth
With this launch, Halotel consolidates its reputation as one of Tanzania’s fastest and most inclusive networks, offering affordable connectivity while driving national digital transformation.
From enhancing education and healthcare to enabling entrepreneurship and innovation, the 5G rollout is a strategic leap toward a fully connected, digitally empowered Tanzania.
In essence, Halotel’s 5G network is more than just speed – it is a catalyst for inclusion, innovation, and the realization of Tanzania’s long-term digital ambitions.
With 5G now a reality nationwide, Tanzanians are poised to experience faster internet speeds, improved online services, and broader participation in the digital economy. The launch signals that the country is not only catching up in the digital age but also laying the foundation for transformative, inclusive growth in the decades ahead.
