The government of Tanzania has installed a high-speed internet service facility on Mount Kilimanjaro. Now, tourists would be able to access high-speed interest and share live updates from the mountain.
Before now, tourists and climbers could only take photos from the sloped of the mountain and would have to wait until they disembarked before they could share the lovely updates. Well, in a move that has been greatly welcomed by many, anyone with a smartphone can have access to high-speed internet on top of the mountain and share live updates in real-time.
According to reports which were confirmed on the country’s official social media handles, the broadband network was reportedly set up at an altitude of 3,720m (12,200ft).
The high-speed internet facilities were installed by Tanzania’s state telecommunications firm, which now offers connectivity on the slopes of Mt Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest mountain, through a national broadband project.
Tanzanian Information Minister Nape Nnauye launched the internet project this week, saying tourists would soon be able to communicate worldwide from the summit of the mountain.
Mr. Nnauye said internet connectivity on the mountain was expected to reach its highest point, Uhuru peak, at 5,895m (19,341 ft) above sea level in October this year.
The ministry shared some live images during the launch of the project on the mountain via its official social media handles.
“Matukio mbalimbali katika picha: Waziri wa Habari, Mawasiliano na Teknolojia ya Habari, Mhe. @Nnauye_Nape alipowasili Horombo Hut kwa ajili ya kuzindua huduma za Mawasiliano ya Intaneti yaliyofikishwa katika Mlima kilimanjaro na Shirika la TTCL, leo tarehe 16 Agosti, 2022.” It said in one of its tweets.
This is translated to mean: “Various events in pictures: Minister of Information, Communication and Information Technology, Hon. @Nnauye_Nape When he arrived at Horombo Hut for the launch of Internet Communication services delivered in Kilimanjaro Mountain by the TTCL Corporation, today August 16, 2022.”
Trekkers on the mountain have not had an internet connection and could not even make phone calls since connectivity ended near the starting point at around 1,860m.
As you know, the mountain is one of Tanzania’s leading tourist destinations. It attracts nearly 50,000 hikers annually. Mount Kilimanjaro is the African continent’s highest peak at 5,895 meters (19,340 feet). The majestic mountain is a snow-capped volcano. Located in Tanzania, Mount Kilimanjaro is Africa’s tallest mountain at about 5,895 meters (19,340 feet).
Tourism is a key pillar of Tanzania’s economy, contributing 18% to the nation’s GDP. It generated $1.4bn (£1.1bn) in revenues last year.
