Tanzania Sets Out National Rules for Direct-to-Mobile Satellite Communication
The move positions Tanzania among the early adopters of this emerging technology, which promises to bridge coverage gaps in rural and underserved areas by integrating non-terrestrial networks (NTN) with existing terrestrial mobile networks.
The Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA ) has officially issued its Guidelines for the Provision of Direct-to-Mobile Phone Satellite Communication, establishing the country’s first clear regulatory framework for delivering mobile services directly via satellite to standard handsets.
The move positions Tanzania among the early adopters of this emerging technology, which promises to bridge coverage gaps in rural and underserved areas by integrating non-terrestrial networks (NTN) with existing terrestrial mobile networks.
The guidelines, released in July 2025, provide an interim national framework while global regulatory discussions under Agenda Item 1.13 of the World Radiocommunication Conference 2027 (WRC-27) continue. They reflect extensive consultations with both Satellite Network Operators (SNOs) and Mobile Network Operators (MNOs), addressing spectrum management, interference mitigation, and operational partnerships.
Key provisions include:
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Licensing & Partnerships: SNOs must obtain satellite landing rights from TCRA and enter into formal agreements with licensed MNOs.
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Spectrum Use: Services must operate on licensed terrestrial IMT spectrum, with spectrum ownership and control remaining with MNOs.
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Interference Protections: Operators must identify and mitigate interference risks, especially near borders, and comply with strict equivalent power flux density (epfd) limits.
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Data Reporting: Quarterly reporting to TCRA is required on the number and type of user terminals, services delivered, and geographic coverage.
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Technical Compliance: Operators cannot cause harmful interference to other services and cannot claim protection from such interference.
TCRA says the guidelines aim to support innovation, safeguard terrestrial networks, and prepare Tanzania for the seamless integration of satellite-based mobile connectivity once international rules are finalized. The full guidelines can be accessed on the TCRA website.
