Education

   

I moved to Tanzania back in 2020 and honestly, finding the right internet plan was a bit overwhelming at first. After lots of trial and error (and some frustrating moments!), I think I've finally figured out what works best. Let me share what I've learned the hard way.

   

1. Vodacom Tanzania

   

I started with Vodacom because my neighbor recommended it. It's pricier than others, but I've stuck with them because the connection rarely lets me down.

   

Their bundles:

   

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  • Daily: 500 TSH = 1GB (I use this when I'm running low on my monthly package)
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  • Weekly: 3,000 TSH = 7GB (includes WhatsApp data)
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  • Monthly: 10,000 TSH = 30GB (this keeps me going for my work calls)
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Funny story - I only discovered the auto-renewal bonus after complaining to a friend about running out of data mid-month. Now I get that sweet 5% extra!

   

2. Airtel Tanzania - Best for Saving Money

   

If you're watching your budget, Airtel is your friend. Their prices are really competitive:

   

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  • Daily package: 400 shillings for 750MB - good for basic browsing
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  • Weekly social bundle: 2,500 shillings for 5GB, plus free TikTok and Instagram
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  • Monthly bundle: 9,000 shillings for 25GB - honestly, great value
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Here's a secret: Buy your bundles between midnight and 4 AM, and you'll get some nice bonus data.

   

3. Yas (Used to be Tigo) - Mix and Match Plans

   

These guys are great if you like to customize your data packages:

   

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  • Daily option: 300 shillings for 500MB - cheapest you'll find
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  • Weekly deal: 2,000 shillings for 4GB plus free night browsing
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  • Monthly bundle: 8,000 shillings for 20GB - lots of students use this one
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If you're a student, bring your ID card - you'll get some extra discounts.

   

4. TTCL - Best for Home Internet

   

This is the government provider, and they're really good for home connections:

   

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  • Fiber package: Starts at 50,000 shillings monthly for unlimited data - perfect for Netflix
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  • Mobile option: 5,000 shillings for 3GB weekly - good as a backup
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If you work from home, ask about their business packages - you get priority support.

   

5. Zantel - Your Zanzibar Buddy

   

If you're heading to Zanzibar, this is your best bet:

   

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  • Tourist package: 500 shillings for 1GB daily
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  • Local package: 10,000 shillings for 30GB monthly
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Pro tip: Get your bundle before heading to the smaller islands - it's cheaper that way.

   

Some Real Talk About Saving Money

   

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  • Check *149*01# for deals (found this gem on a local Facebook group)
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  • Late-night downloads are your friend
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  • Stock up during promotions (learned this the hard way after missing a great sale)
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Questions I Get From Friends:

   

"Which one works in my village?"

   

From my trips upcountry, Vodacom's been most reliable.

   

"Netflix addict here - best option?"

   

TTCL Fiber, hands down. Trust me, I binged all of Wednesday on it!

   

"For gaming?"

   

My gaming buddies use Vodacom in town, TTCL at home.

   

"Best for work calls?"

   

I use Airtel in the city, but my colleague swears by TTCL.

   

What's Working For Me:

   

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  • Students: Check out Yas (my students love it)
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  • Working: I use Vodacom monthly
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  • Home setup: TTCL Fiber's been solid
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  • Travel: Zantel in Zanzibar (learned that one the hard way!)
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What's your experience been like? I'm always looking to learn new tricks - drop a comment if you've found better deals or have any questions!

   

Last checked: Just updated this in January 2025 after my latest bill

Comprehensive guide to Tanzania's internet providers in 2025.


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