en.Wedoany.com Reported - The Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA) recently conducted a benchmarking visit to Ghana's National Communications Authority (NCA), aiming to learn from Ghana's experience in satellite service regulation to strengthen its own space industry oversight and align with international standards for satellite technology governance.
The core purpose of this visit is to consolidate Tanzania's legal and technical framework for space communication technology. According to the Tanzanian delegation, this initiative will help improve satellite service regulation and support the development of new-generation Low Earth Orbit (LEO) and Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) constellations, which are redefining the global telecommunications ecosystem.
The push for enhanced regulation comes amid a sharp acceleration of interest in satellite solutions across Africa, driven largely by the entry and expansion of players such as Starlink. Starlink is already operational in approximately 30 African countries. The operator has been seeking a license in Tanzania since 2024, hoping to launch services in the country this year. Currently, Starlink provides satellite internet services through dedicated terminals and plans to offer services directly from satellites to consumers. In addition to direct-to-consumer services, satellite operators are increasingly forming partnerships with telecom operators, who leverage these infrastructures to enhance network coverage, particularly in backhauling or Direct-to-Cell solutions.
Within this framework, Airtel Africa, which operates in Tanzania, has signed two agreements with Starlink. The group has also partnered with Eutelsat through its LEO OneWeb constellation. Another major player in the Tanzanian market, Vodacom, has signed an agreement with Amazon to use its network once operational, and the operator has also established a partnership with Starlink.
It should be noted that the rise of Starlink across the African continent has raised several concerns in different markets, including personal data protection, competition, regulatory compliance, local equity, consumer protection, network integrity, and operator operational responsibility. Failure to comply with or adequately consider some of these requirements has led to the company being temporarily blocked from entering markets such as Namibia and South Africa.
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