By Dr Team

On 21 March 2025, the Government of Tanzania published GN No. 157 of 2025, amending the Electronic and Postal Communications (Licensing) Regulations of 2018 under section 165 of the Electronic and Postal Communications Act (Cap. 306). These amendments mark a major restructuring of the licensing regime—from expanding the types of licensable activities to revising the associated fees, definitions, compliance documentation, and digital procedures.

This post offers a detailed overview of what has changed, the updated licensing fees, and practical implications for telecom operators, ISPs, data centres, cybersecurity firms, satellite providers, call centres, and online content platforms.

1. New Licence Categories Introduced

The 2025 amendments formally introduce two new licensable services:

  • Cybersecurity Service Licences, covering services such as penetration testing, threat analysis, and security operation centres (SOCs).
  • Online Media Service Licences, applying to any entity providing news or current affairs content via digital platforms.

These replace the previously listed VSAT and spectrum usage licence categories. Operators engaged in these sectors must now apply for the appropriate licences to remain compliant.

2. Expanded Definitions and Regulatory Scope

Several new definitions are now included in Regulation 3, extending regulatory oversight to:

  • Call centres, public data centres, satellite landing rights, earth stations, fixed/mobile/transportable satellite terminals, and application services (now clearly defined as services provided directly to end-users).
  • “Gross annual turnover” (GAT) now specifically refers to income earned under licensed services, which directly affects royalty calculations.

3. New Compliance for Satellite, Submarine Cable, Call Centres & Data Centres

  • Satellite service providers must now apply for national network facility licences and establish earth stations within Tanzania. Foreign operators must apply for landing rights, including proof of coordination under ITU procedures.
  • Submarine cable operators must either apply for a licence or contract with existing Tanzanian licensees.
  • Call centre operators must now hold an Application Service Licence.
  • Public data centres require a Network Facility Licence and must submit quarterly reports on hosted customers.
  • Failure to meet these conditions may result in operational suspension or regulatory sanctions

4. Revised Licensing Fees

  • Under the revised framework, operators of application services must pay an application fee of TZS 3,000,000 for national-level operations, an initial licence fee of TZS 30,000,000, and a renewal fee of TZS 34,500,000. A royalty of 1% of gross annual turnover (GAT) applies throughout the licence period, which remains five years. For regional-level application service licences, the application fee is TZS 600,000, with an initial licence fee of TZS 3,000,000 and a renewal fee of TZS 3,450,000, subject to the same 1% royalty. At district level, the fees are TZS 300,000 (application), TZS 1,500,000 (initial), and TZS 1,725,000 (renewal), also attracting a 1% royalty.
  • For network facilities, the fee structure is more substantial due to the infrastructure-heavy nature of the services. At both the national and international levels, the application fee is TZS 30,000,000, with an initial and renewal licence fee of TZS 105,000,000, and a royalty of 1% of GAT over a 25-year licence period. For regional operators, the application fee is TZS 3,000,000, with an initial fee of TZS 30,000,000 and renewal at TZS 51,750,000, while district operators must pay TZS 300,000 to apply, TZS 9,000,000 initially, and TZS 10,350,000 to renew. All attract the standard 1% royalty.
  • Network services licences—including bandwidth, switching, transit IP, and virtual electronic communication services—require a national application fee of TZS 7,000,000, with an initial and renewal fee of TZS 105,000,000, again for a 25-year term. At the regional level, the application fee is TZS 6,000,000, and both initial and renewal fees are TZS 35,000,000. District operators pay an application fee of TZS 300,000, with initial and renewal fees of TZS 15,000,000and TZS 17,250,000 respectively. All remain subject to the 1% royalty on GAT.
  • Public data centres, regardless of tier (Tier 1 to Tier 4), are now regulated under the network facilities category. The applicable fees include an application fee of TZS 30,000,000, initial and renewal licence fees of TZS 105,000,000, and a royalty of 1% of gross annual turnover, for a 25-year term. Operators of call centres, on the other hand, must now obtain an application service licence and pay fees consistent with those for standard application services based on their geographical scope (national, regional, or district).
  • For operators in cybersecurity services, the same fee structure applies as for application services. However, applicants must also submit a certified tax clearance certificate and provide evidence that their key personnel possess relevant professional certifications such as CISSP, CEH, or CISM, issued by recognised institutions

5. Digitised Processes and Procedural Reforms

  • All applications for licence renewal, name changes, and service upgrades must now be submitted through TCRA’s Licensing Management System Portal. A licence upgrade must be supported by a detailed business plan outlining the applicant’s financial and technical capacity, as well as the proposed service area.
  • TCRA may reject applications that remain inactive or non-compliant for six months. All applications now require the submission of a tax clearance certificate, and those seeking cybersecurity licences must further provide professional certification credentials (e.g., CISSP, CEH, or CISM) for their technical staff.

6. Financial Reporting and Royalties

  • Licensees must submit quarterly income statements within 21 days of each quarter’s close and file audited annual financial statements within six months of year-end. Royalties are payable after reconciling quarterly declarations with audited financials.
  • Failure to comply with these timelines or to accurately report revenues may result in penalties, interest, or even suspension of the licence.

7. What Operators Should Do Now

These reforms reflect a national move toward transparency, infrastructure localisation, and regulatory alignmentwith global digital standards. They also impose stricter financial, technical, and procedural obligations across the ICT ecosystem.

  • Review and audit your current licences to confirm alignment with new categories
  • Apply for new licences where your operations fall under added scopes (e.g., cybersecurity, call centres, online media)
  • Ensure timely compliance with new documentation and reporting requirements
  • Plan budgets in accordance with the revised licensing and royalty structure

This article is not intended to replace professional advice. No one should rely exclusively on the information provided as a substitute for seeking professional advice. The writers or the Firm are not liable for any use of the information contained herein and do not guarantee the accuracy of its contents from the date of publication to the date of usage. For contact: temu@africorp.co.tz

AfriCorp Attorneys

Phone Number: +255 22 211 0660
Amverton Office Park, Plot No 64 Lugalo Street
Dar es Salaam, Tanzania