Telecom operator Zantel yesterday launched a free SMS service on its mobile network, which it said will greatly boost the subscriber base that has been growing by 50 per cent annually.

Marketing director Fintan Lawler told The Citizen that the TSH1+Free SMS service will be benefitted by about 1.5 million people using its network. According to him, the number will double by next year.

He attributed the anticipated customer base growth to introduction of innovative services like the TSH1+Free SMS in recent months. The new service gives Zantel prepaid customers on the Sh1/second tariff free SMSs.

"The TSH1 + FREE SMS service is an enhancement of Zantel's current low rate Sh1 per second tariff,"the company said in a statement.

Mr Lawler said that customers who buy Sh15,000 airtime will instantly get 1,000 free SMSs. They will get more free SMSs with every call they make on the Zantel network or other networks.

According to Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority figures, Zantel had 986,670 subscribers by June this year compared to 1,057,652 at the end of last year. The total number of subscribers in the country was nearly 15 million and about 13.1 million during the two periods respectively.

"We expect the number of subscribers to double next year as we continue to launch new services and better products in the market that give Zantel prepaid subscribers a chance to communicate with their families and friends any time," Mr Lawler said.

He said competition in the telecommunication industry is currently stiff but said his company will put a brave face on it. Currently there are seven mobile companies operating in Tanzania.