The experts at luxury travel company Tanzania Specialist are pleased to report that Mount Kilimanjaro now has high-speed internet thanks to the latest investment from Tanzania Telecommunications Corporation (TTC). The broadband towers were officially connected on Tuesday 16th August, making it possible to receive internet coverage at an altitude of 3,720 metres. The move has been heralded by many in Tanzania as a historic milestone for the region.
Speaking at the launch of the service at Horombo Huts, a popular camp en route to Kilimanjaro’s peak, Tanzania’s minister of information and communication, Nape Moses Nnauye, celebrated the development. “Previously, it was a bit dangerous for visitors and porters who had to operate without internet,” he said. “All visitors will get connected (up to) this point of the mountain.” The ultimate goal is full connectivity by the end of 2022, with coverage planned to extend to Uhuru Peak at 5,880 metres.
Improved safety on Kilimanjaro
The highest mountain in Africa and the highest free-standing mountain above in the world, Mount Kilimanjaro is a bucket-list experience for amateur hikers and experienced mountaineers alike, attracting over 35,000 visitors annually. With the new internet facilities, those visiting Mt Kilimanjaro can benefit from vastly improved access to safety and navigation tools.
In addition to improved safety measures, the newly connected status of Mount Kilimanjaro means that visitors can keep in touch with loved ones at home and share their journey on the trip of a lifetime. In a recent interview with Dutch news corporation RTLnieuws, Tanzania Specialist’s guide on the scene, Hjörids, shared what the newly connected status of the mountain means for visitors. “It’s incredibly unique that you can now have an internet connection even way up there on Kilimanjaro,” she said. “It’s not only about having fun and posting on social media, but it’s also a very useful development. In terms of salvage and rescue work on the challenging slopes of Africa’s highest mountain, having this level of connectivity can be life-saving.”
Staying connected in the world’s wildest places
In a move to extend connectivity throughout the country, Nape Moses Nnauye also called for the TTC to expand these operations to a number of additional tourist sites and national parks throughout the country, all pointing towards a more connected Tanzania in the near future.
“The tourism industry in Tanzania is growing yearly, ” says Tanzania Specialist Founder Robbin Meulemans. “Improvements like this greatly enhance infrastructure and support Tanzania’s booming travel market. With Mount Kilimanjaro being one of the most popular experiences with our guests at Tanzania Specialist, we all recognise the importance of this massive development in Tanzania and look forward to improved connectivity and enhanced safety measures for everyone.”
