WORLDWIDE MARKET RESEARCH REPORT - CISE

EC/IST FP6 Project No 026920
Work Package: 6
Type of document: Report
Date: 20.12.2007
File name: OP_WP6_D37_V1.0.doc Version: 1.0
Title: Worldwide Market Research Report 225 / 356
Studies are instead in progress in Tanzania, to know the feasibility of the use of the
Powerline technology in the telecommunication system development.
In particular, Tanzania has a teledensity of 1.42 and an electricity coverage of 10%. The
electric grid therefore, it is distant from reaching the whole population, nevertheless it is
more present than the telephone lines and besides, interest in PLC technology shown by the
Tanzania, despite its scarce extension of the electrical grid, show the desire to don't remain
a country isolated by the rest of Africa (and of world). Deciding to immediately invest in the
Powerline technology, would allow besides, to build the future electric lines with more
attention and functionality, according to this technology.
In particular, they are studying the possible topology of the network, which is different from
developed countries, because the great distances.
The aim of these studies is to have a pilot project of Powerline communication in Tanzania.
They have already identified some areas, like Mwanza, Iringa and Mbeya, where PLC
solution could be implemented.
At this moment, Tanzania communicates with industries such as Korea Electro-technology
Research Institute (KERI) to see the possibility of taking its results and develop PLC for
Tanzania, but it is also looking for other companies and donors to extend the PLC project
and make the Powerline communication real in Tanzania.
5.4.5 Cost Comparison with traditional Network Technologies
5.4.5.1 Traditional Network Costs
[A36] Africa is the continent with the lowest diffusion of the Internet in the world. This is
attributed primarily to the limited penetration, unreliable connections and high cost of the
communications infrastructure usage across the continent. Even in urban centers, where
there is a relatively higher concentration of infrastructure, there is relatively low usage of
internet services due to high and even what some analysts consider extortionist usage
prices. The reasons for the limited network roll-out and high prices has often been attributed
to the restrictive policy and regulatory environment and monopoly market structures that