THE telecommunications industry in Tanzania is rapidly enhancing benefit of both operators and consumers, particularly after emergence of tower companies.

"Tower companies have proved to be a key driver across the world in improving teledensity, increased mobile penetration and rural telephony," according to a statement issued in Dar es Salaam by a tower firm. Regulatory authorities in Tanzania including the National Environment Management Council and Tanzania Communication Regulatory Authority (TCRA) have expressed confidence on the arrangement.

"Tower sharing is the first step to cost reduction, resulting in improved returns through achieving economies of scale from the telecom tower business.

"It is becoming vital for the telecom industry to discover alternative sources of fuel to run base stations, such as deep cycle batteries, solar power, wind power, bio-diesel and biogas," according to TCRA Director General Prof John Nkoma.

"The tower sharing concept was launched in Europe and India a number of years ago and has proved to be a catalyst for increasing mobile penetration and growth in data services," he added.