Vodacom Tanzania Network and Services Overview

Vodacom Tanzania has a vast network that covers over 95% of the country's population, making it one of the most extensive networks in the region.

Their network is built on a strong foundation of technology, with a focus on providing fast and reliable data services to their customers.

Vodacom Tanzania offers a range of services, including voice, data, and mobile money services, making it a one-stop-shop for all your communication needs.

Their mobile money service, M-Pesa, has been a game-changer for many Tanzanians, allowing them to make payments, send money, and access financial services from the comfort of their own homes.

A unique perspective: Access-independent Services

Vodacom Tanzania's network coverage is truly impressive, with over 6,000 sites across the country, including Zanzibar, providing extensive population coverage of over 95%.

You can rely on Vodacom's network in all major cities and towns, including Dar es Salaam, Arusha, Moshi, Tanga, Mwanza, Morogoro, Dodoma, Mbeya, Mtwara, and Zanzibar.

Even in remote areas like national parks and game reserves, Vodacom has usable coverage on key tourist routes and lodges.

Vodacom's 2G, 3G, and 4G coverage is the widest in Tanzania, making it the most reliable choice for connectivity.

With speeds of up to 17.08 Mbps for download and 8.62 Mbps for upload, you can enjoy seamless browsing, streaming, and messaging on Vodacom's network.

Vodacom's lead in 4G coverage and capacity delivers the best speeds for mobile apps and staying connected on tours.

The network was fixed in 2000 by Siemens based in South Africa, and it was claimed that the 900 and 1800 GSM network was extremely hi-tech for mobile telecommunications in Africa.

Vodacom Tanzania has highly improved customer service levels, using IVR technology to serve customers in two languages, Swahili and English.

Vodacom Tanzania offers a range of services and features to its customers.

Their network coverage is extensive, with a presence in over 90% of the country's districts.

They provide a variety of data plans, including a prepaid option that offers 1GB of data for TSh 2,000.

Their mobile money service, M-Pesa, allows customers to send and receive money, pay bills, and purchase airtime.

It's a convenient and secure way to manage your finances, and it's available 24/7.

Take a look at this: Mobile Money

Vodacom Tanzania has a plan to deploy WiMAX technology, as do other network operators in the country like TTCL, tiGO, and ZanTel. However, as of September 28, 2007, Celtel Tanzania had no plans for WiMAX roll-out.

Vodacom Tanzania's WiMAX plan was made possible by spectrum guaranteed by the regulator for 3.5 GHz. This guaranteed spectrum will be used for targeting data transfer for the corporate sector in major cities.

Vodacom Tanzania is currently using Cambridge Broadband's VectaStar equipment, which can be used to backhaul traffic from both mobile and data networks, including GSM, 3G, and WiMAX sites. This equipment was fixed by Cambridge Broadband Limited as per a radio transmission equipment contract awarded to them by Vodacom Tanzania on September 5, 2006.

Here's a list of some of the network operators in Tanzania and their services:

Topping up your Vodacom Tanzania SIM card is a breeze, and I'm happy to walk you through the options. You can buy scratch cards from thousands of shops, kiosks, and outlets across Tanzania in denominations from 1,000 TZS to 50,000 TZS.

Scratch cards are a convenient way to top up, and you can use them to add credit to your SIM card by entering the pin at *149*PIN#. I've used scratch cards myself when traveling, and they're always a reliable option.

You can also top up using mobile money services like M-Pesa, Tigo Pesa, Airtel Money, and more. These services allow you to top up directly from the mobile money app using cash or other payment cards.

If you prefer to top up online, you can use Visa, Mastercard, or mobile money through the My Vodacom App or other Vodacom partners like Jaza, Pepea, etc. I've found online top-ups to be super convenient when I'm short on time.

You can also use international mobile top-up services like Ding, Recharge.com to top up your Vodacom Tanzania SIM card from abroad.

Here are the top-up options summarized:

Call & SMS Rates can be a bit confusing, but don't worry, I've got the lowdown. Vodacom Tanzania's pay-as-you-go rates are straightforward.

Vodacom Calls cost Tsh 45 per second, all day long, which works out to $0.018 per second. This rate applies to all Vodacom calls, no matter the time of day.

If you're calling someone on a different network, the rate drops to Tsh 5.5 per second, equivalent to $0.0022 per second. This is a significant saving, especially for frequent callers.

Local SMS messages sent outside of bundles cost Tsh 50 per message to any network, or $0.02 per message. If you're planning to send a lot of SMS, it might be worth considering a bundle for better value.

Data browsing outside of bundles costs Tsh 0.26 per kilobyte, or $0.000104 per kilobyte. This is an extremely low rate, making data browsing a very affordable option.

Here's a quick summary of the call and SMS rates:

If you're a tourist in Tanzania, you'll want a Vodacom SIM card that fits your needs and budget. Vodacom offers a wide range of prepaid data plans to suit different needs and budgets.

The smallest data package is 70MB for just $0.23 for 1 day. You can also opt for 200 MB for $0.46, or 1 GB for $0.92.

One option to consider is the 2 nights (11pm-5am) package, which offers 4 GB of data for $0.69. This might be perfect for those who want to stay connected during their downtime.

Another option is the 7 days package, which offers 500 MB of data for $1.38. This is a good choice for those who want a small amount of data for a short period.

Here's a summary of some of the best options for tourists:

Vodacom's pricing is reasonable compared to mobile data costs in other parts of Africa and Asia.

Vodacom Tanzania offers eSIM support for compatible devices since 2022. This allows digital activation of a mobile plan on your phone without needing a physical SIM card.

You can buy a Vodacom Tanzania eSIM online before arrival for quick setup after arriving. The USSD code *102# can be used to check pre-paid balance, which is also the same code to check data balance.

Here's a summary of useful USSD codes to know for Vodacom Tanzania prepaid SIM cards/eSIM:

Does Vodacom Tanzania Support eSIM?

Vodacom Tanzania does support eSIM, and they launched it in 2022 for compatible devices.

If you're planning to get an eSIM from Vodacom Tanzania, buying online before arrival is the easiest way to get set up quickly after arriving.

Vodacom Tanzania's eSIM allows digital activation of a mobile plan on your phone without needing to insert a physical SIM card.

If you're looking to buy a phone with eSIM, you can find them at various carriers, online retailers, and even some electronics stores.

Major carriers like AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon offer eSIM-enabled phones, often in their latest flagship models.

Carrier stores like AT&T's and T-Mobile's websites allow you to purchase eSIM-enabled phones directly.

You can also check online retailers like Amazon, Best Buy, and B&H Photo, which often carry a wide selection of eSIM-enabled phones.

Some electronics stores like Apple Stores also sell eSIM-enabled iPhones.

For more insights, see: At&t Important Information Letter

You can buy Vodacom Tanzania SIM cards at thousands of outlets across the country, including airports, Vodacom stores, supermarkets, petrol stations, local shops, and hotels.

Airports have Vodacom shops or partner retailers, making it easy to get a SIM card as soon as you arrive. Vodacom stores are available in all major town centers and malls.

Supermarkets like Shoprite and Uchumi often have Vodacom SIMs, and petrol stations have SIM sales counters. Local shops, kiosks, and agents also sell Vodacom SIMs in smaller towns.

Hotels can provide or direct you where to get local Vodacom SIMs. Prices range from 5,000 TZS for a prepaid SIM to up to 50,000 TZS for tourist SIM bundles.

Here's where you can buy Vodacom Tanzania SIM cards:

Activating your SIM card in Tanzania is a straightforward process, especially with Vodacom Tanzania. You can register your SIM card biometrically by visiting any Vodacom shop or registration agent with your national ID or passport.

To activate your Vodacom Tanzania SIM card, you'll need to insert the SIM card into your phone and wait for 5 minutes for welcome messages to appear. If nothing happens, simply turn your phone off and back on, and the messages should appear.

For prepaid users, you can remotely activate your SIM card using the My Vodacom app. Download the app, sign in, and tap the menu icon to scroll down to "Chat to Vodacom" for help. Mention "self-RICA a SIM card" for instructions to remotely activate your prepaid SIM card.

Once activated and topped up, your Vodacom Tanzania SIM is ready for making calls, using mobile data, sending SMS, and more during your stay.

For your interest: Do Not Call Registry Text Messages

If you're using a Vodacom Tanzania SIM card or eSIM, you'll want to know the USSD codes to manage your account and services. These codes are the key to checking your balance, topping up, and accessing various features.

To check your prepaid balance, simply dial *102# on your phone's dial pad and hit call/send.

You can top up your account by dialing 104, followed by your card PIN number, and then #.

For M-Pesa services, dial 15000# to access your account information.

Data balance can be checked by dialing *102#, just like checking your prepaid balance.

If you want to send a "please call me" message to someone, dial 140 followed by the recipient's phone number and #.

To recharge your account, dial 13601, followed by your recharge PIN number, and then #.

Here's a quick reference guide to the most useful USSD codes for Vodacom Tanzania SIM cards and eSIMs:

Vodacom Tanzania has seen significant growth in its service revenue, with a 20.5% increase in the past year. This growth has cemented Tanzania's role as a key growth engine for the multinational telecoms group.

The company has a large customer base, with 22.6 million customers locally and over 211 million across Africa. Vodacom's ESG commitments revolve around three priorities: empowering people, protecting the planet, and maintaining trust.

Here are some key statistics about Vodacom Tanzania's growth:

Vodacom Tanzania was licensed in Tanzania with its local partners Planetel Communications holding 36% and Caspian Construction holding 16%.

Planetel later decreased its stake to 16%, while Caspian's increased to 19%.

A representative of Caspian on the Vodacom Tanzania board was businessman Rostam Aziz, a close supporter of President Jakaya Kikwete.

In September 2019, Vodacom Tanzania partnered with Flickswitch to launch a sim management system in Tanzania.

Vodacom Tanzania's shares of stock were listed on the Dar es Salaam Stock Exchange in August 2017, under the symbol: VODA.

The listing was a significant event for the company, allowing it to tap into the local investment market.

The shares are traded on the exchange, providing a platform for local and international investors to buy and sell the stock.

Vodacom Tanzania extended its initial public offering (IPO) to give local investors more time to participate in the listing.

Here are some key details about the shareholding:

Vodacom Tanzania has emerged as a key growth engine for the multinational telecoms group, with service revenue growing by 20.5 percent.

The company has a strong customer base, with a 15.7 percent increase in customers over the past year. This has led to a surge in demand for data and mobile money services.

Mobile data revenue rose by 21.6 percent, reflecting the country's growing appetite for internet services. M-Pesa revenue climbed by 29.3 percent, reinforcing its role as a financial lifeline for millions of Tanzanians.

Vodacom Tanzania serves 22.6 million customers locally and over 211 million across Africa. The company has outlined its commitment to sustainability, digital inclusion, and responsible business conduct through its Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) framework.

The ESG framework has three priorities: empowering people, protecting the planet, and maintaining trust. The company emphasizes that ESG is not a standalone initiative but an integral part of its core purpose of "connecting for a better future."

Here are the key statistics from Vodacom Tanzania's ESG framework: