Prof Makame Mbarawa

The Tanzania Telecommunication Company Limited (TTCL) plans to enter into business cooperation with the Japanese company NEC Corporation aimed to provide communication to ‘last mile connectivity’.

Communications, Science and Technology minister Prof Makame Mbarawa told the House on Wednesday when tabling his budget estimates amounting to 70.108bn/- for the financial year 2012/2013.

Prof Mbarawa said that the stage reached was the result of the investment conference for Southern Africa Development Community members held in Japan where his ministry attended and presented highlights on areas for communication investment.

He said that in ensuring that TTCL does not often fall into payment problems when providing services to government institutions the firm has established a system of collecting debts as per services provided.
Prof Mbarawa said currently the company was collecting telephone bills at 96 percent and the aim was to reach 100 percent.

He said TTCL through the national optic fibre has managed to extend its internet network by connecting giant customers such as National Microfinance Bank, Bank of Tanzania, Prevention and Combating of Corruption Bureau and Ministry of Finance, among others.

However, the Parliamentary Infrastructure Committee advised the company’s management to be careful when entering into contracts with other firms, so that they could be beneficial to the company as well as the nation.