News
Tanzania leading telecom operator, Tigo assure customers of high-quality services with modernized network infrastructure.
Tigo Tanzania customers are now set to continue enjoying high-tech services following the announcement of a massive drive by the telecom operator to further modernize its network infrastructure.
The news of the upgrade, revealed recently in Dar es Salaam will be music to the ears of the subscribers even as they continue to enjoy quality, smoother access to voice and high speed data services from the country’s leading digital lifestyle mobile firm.
“Since last year, we have made massive expansion of our infrastructure to increase the coverage footprint and capacity and most importantly, the quality of experience for mobile broadband service, hence making Tigo the preferred network in Tanzania”, Tigo’s Chief Technical and Information Officer (CTIO) Jérôme Albou said while speaking to senior editors at a briefing held at the company’s headquarters in Dar es Salaam recently.
Affirming this, some of the Tigo customers who now enjoy seamless services offered by the provider expressed their satisfaction with the company’s positive response to their communication demands.
Joseph Moshi, a Tigo customer and resident of Kilimanjaro Region in northern Tanzania, says of Tigo’s services: “I am very impressed that more than ever before, I can now freely make my calls and browse on internet without network hiccups thus enabling me to communicate more effectively!”
Meanwhile Joyce Masanja, from Mwanza Region – a zone that encompasses Lake Victoria, the world’s largest fresh water body, echoed similar comments. “I can now easily use data and stream videos without the frustrations of internet buffering; it’s an exciting experience that makes me enjoy Tigo services more,” Ms Masanja says proudly.
As far as mobile broadband is concerned, Tigo has added new 535 sites with 3G technology, upgraded capacity on 408 of 3G sites and 95 new sites with 4G technology
Spelling out the company’s network upgrade plans, Tigo’s Chief Technical and Information Officer (CTIO) Jérôme Albou explained that one of Tigo’s key strategic objectives is to transform broadband customer experience by providing first-class services as per global industry standards in both 3G and 4G technologies.
According to Albou, the demand for data services is growing due to availability of data enabled devices. Therefore, Tigo is proactively expanding its 3G and 4G network in both rural and semi-urban areas of the country to enhance rural connectivity as well as consolidating coverage and capacity in urban areas.
The Chief Technical and Information Officer further explained, “As far as mobile broadband is concerned, Tigo has added new 535 sites with 3G technology, upgraded capacity on 408 of 3G sites and 95 new sites with 4G technology over the past year, and has modernized and expanded the existing 2G, 3G and 4G networks. We have now 4G coverage in all the major cities and towns across Tanzania. To further improve experience of customers we have also added the Cache Servers in the core network to make frequently accessed internet contents such as Google, Youtube, Android, Facebook, WhatsApp or Instagram readily available in Tanzania in a single click.”
Conversely, Tigo had made substantial investment in stabilizing its network by managing technology, power and infrastructure more efficiently focusing on customer experience.
“Within the past 12 months, we have commissioned a total of 2,294km of backbone fibre which traverses through 22 new District headquarters expanding the existing National ICT Backbone footprint (Bagamoyo, Chalinze, Handeni, Korogwe, Muheza, Lushoto, Same, Mwanga, Rombo, Hai, Arumeru, Kibaha, Mvomero, Kongwa, Bahi, Manyoni, Tabora, Nzega, Kahama, Shinyanga, Kwimba & Chamwino) as well as increasing the number of fiber points around the key cities.”
This allows Tigo to provide high speed internet in these new districts. Also, the new fiber ensures alternative transmission routes in case of fiber cuts, providing seamless services around the clock for the key cities such as Mwanza, Dodoma, Arusha, Morogoro and Tanga.
Elaborating on what network upgrade entails, Albou explained the improvement is done based on customer surveys, economic activities, penetration of data enabled devices and feedback from other stakeholders such as Tanzania Communication Regulatory Authority (TCRA) and the Ministry of Works, Transport and Communications.
“Tigo is therefore, committed to continue to improve its network to achieve the best customer satisfaction and customer experience on both data and voice”, he summed up.
Despite the changing dynamics in market conditions and ecosystem, value chains, competition and regulation challenges, customer demands and usage behavior, Tigo continues to stand out from the crowd mainly due to its culture of customer-oriented innovation, buoyed by consistent modernization and optimization of its network.
News
Two-Thirds of Nigerians Can’t Afford Healthy Meals — NBS
A recent survey by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has highlighted the severe economic challenges faced by Nigerian households, revealing that two-thirds of the population struggle to afford healthy and nutritious meals. The survey, titled Nigeria General Household Survey – Panel (GHS-Panel) Wave 5 (2023/2024), underscores the worsening multidimensional poverty and the erosion of purchasing power due to the persistent rise in the cost of goods and services.
The report shows that approximately 63.8% of households have been forced to eat only a few kinds of food due to financial constraints. About 62.4% of respondents admitted worrying about food insufficiency, while 60.5% ate less than they thought they should. The situation has deteriorated significantly since the last survey, as the proportion of households expressing food insecurity concerns rose from 36.9% in the previous wave to 62.4% in the current one.
Power Outages and Access to Energy
The survey also sheds light on the nation’s energy crisis, revealing that Nigerian households experience an average of 6.7 power blackouts per week. While 82.2% of urban households have access to electricity, the figure drops to 40.4% in rural areas.
Cooking remains predominantly dependent on traditional methods, with 65% of households using three-stone stoves and 70.2% relying on firewood. However, the use of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) is reportedly increasing.
Sanitation and Asset Ownership
In terms of sanitation, the report highlights that many households still lack basic toilet facilities, relying on bushes or streets for waste disposal. Access to clean drinking water is often through tube wells or boreholes, reflecting a lack of formal infrastructure in many areas.
On asset ownership, the survey indicates a decline since 2018/19. While two-thirds of households own mobile phones, only 21.3% have internet access. Housing ownership remains significant, with 70.4% of households owning their homes—80.1% in rural areas compared to 49.1% in urban centers.
The NBS report provides a stark reminder of the challenges many Nigerians face daily, from food insecurity and power outages to inadequate sanitation and declining asset ownership. It calls for urgent policy interventions to address these critical issues and improve the living standards of the population.
News
Ford Trims Workforce: 4,000 Jobs to Go in Europe
US car giant Ford on Wednesday announced 4,000 more job cuts in Europe, mostly in Germany and Britain, in the latest blow to the continent’s beleaguered car industry.
“The company has incurred significant losses in recent years,” Ford said in a statement, blaming “the industry shift to electrified vehicles and new competition”.
The move will affect 2,900 jobs in Germany, 800 in the UK and 300 in western Europe by the end of 2027, a Ford spokesman told AFP.
“It is critical to take difficult but decisive action to ensure Ford’s future competitiveness in Europe,” said Dave Johnston, Ford’s European vice-president in the statement.
The company also said it was adjusting the production of its Explorer and Capri models, resulting in reduced hours at its Cologne plant in the first quarter of 2025.
Europe’s car industry has been plunged into crisis by high manufacturing costs, a stuttering switch to electric vehicles and increased competition in key market China.
Germany’s Volkswagen has been among those hardest hit, announcing in September that it was considering the unprecedented move of closing some factories in Germany.
“The European automotive industry is in a very demanding and serious situation,” Volkswagen CEO Oliver Blume said at the time.
Ford had already announced in February 2023 that it was planning to cut 3,800 jobs in Europe, including 2,300 in Germany and 1,300 in Britain.
The company said then it was planning to reduce the number of models developed for Europe, concentrate on the profitable van segment and speed up the transition to electric vehicles.
Ford currently has around 28,000 employees in Europe with 15,000 in Germany, according to the company’s works council.
News
Tinubu Dissolves UNIZIK Council, Sacks VC, Registrar, Otukpo Pro-Chancellor
President Bola Tinubu has approved the dissolution of the Governing Council of Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka, Anambra State, and the removal of the institution’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Bernard Ifeanyi Odoh, and Registrar, Mrs. Rosemary Ifoema Nwokike.
The council, chaired by Ambassador Greg Ozumba Mbadiwe, comprised five other members: Hafiz Oladejo, Augustine Onyedebelu, Engr. Amioleran Osahon, and Rtd. Gen. Funsho Oyeneyin.
A statement released on Wednesday by presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, revealed that the council was dissolved following reports of procedural violations in appointing the vice-chancellor.
According to the statement, the council had allegedly appointed an unqualified candidate, disregarding due process, which triggered tensions between the university’s Senate and the council.
The Federal Government expressed dismay over the council’s actions, emphasizing the need for adherence to the university’s governing laws in decision-making.
“The council’s disregard for established rules necessitated the government’s intervention to restore order to the 33-year-old institution,” the statement noted.
In a related development, President Tinubu also approved the dismissal of Engr. Ohieku Muhammed Salami, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of the Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo, Benue State.
Salami was accused of suspending the university’s Vice-Chancellor without following the prescribed procedures, a move the Federal Ministry of Education had previously directed him to reverse.
Despite the Ministry’s directives, Salami reportedly refused to comply and resorted to issuing threats and abusive remarks towards the Ministry’s officials, including the Permanent Secretary.
The Federal Government reiterated that the primary role of university councils is to ensure the smooth operation of academic activities, strictly adhering to the laws establishing each institution.
Tinubu warned university councils against engaging in actions that could destabilize their institutions, as his administration remains committed to enhancing the nation’s education system.
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