Vodacom, GSMA and Qualcomm Bring High-Speed Internet Cafes to Tanzania


DAR ES SALAAM, Tanzania, October 15 /PRNewswire/ --

Vodacom, supported by the GSMA Development Fund and by Qualcomm, through
its Wireless Reach(TM) initiative, has connected Internet cafes in three of
Tanzania's cities to its HSPA mobile broadband network, enabling locals to
gain high-speed access to the vast repository of information and multimedia
services on the World Wide Web. Run by local entrepreneurs, each Internet
cafe is equipped with several computer terminals connected to Vodacom's HSPA
network, which can provide download speeds of up to 7.2 megabits per second.

Tanzanians will be able to pay a small fee to use the computer terminals,
which will enable them to access the Internet to find important information
about everything from education to health to commodity prices to weather
forecasts.

The initial three Internet cafes, in Dar es Salaam, Dodoma and Arusha,
will be followed by more cafes in other parts of Tanzania. Housed in
converted shipping containers, the cafes also will sell other Vodacom
products and services, such as airtime vouchers, payphone calls and handset
recharging, as well as acting as an agent for the M-pesa mobile money
transfer service. In a country where fixed lines and computers are scarce,
the cafes will enable many ordinary Tanzanians to enjoy Internet access and
the many associated benefits for the first time in their lives.

Tanzania is one of the fastest developing countries in Africa today with
an average GDP growth of 6.5 percent per year. Availability of information
and communications are key to fostering this growth. Vodacom Tanzania,
through its voice and data services for the last eight years, has been in the
forefront of ensuring meaningful access to communications for the people of
Tanzania.

"We are very proud to add to our bid as a total communication solutions
provider to the people of Tanzania, our new alliance with the GSMA and
Qualcomm will bring high-speed Internet cafes to this country," said Mr.
Dietlof Mare, managing director of Vodacom Tanzania. "These Internet cafes
will ensure fast, affordable and reliable access to information for students,
the business community and all Tanzanians who need to communicate and stay in
touch with what is happening in the country, in Africa and the rest of the
world."

Vodacom Tanzania has drawn on the expertise and resources of the GSMA
Development Fund and Qualcomm's Wireless Reach Initiative, to develop the
business model and technology underpinning the Internet cafes. Having
supported the deployment of several hundred Internet cafes connected to
mobile networks in Bangladesh, the GSMA Development Fund has extensive
experience in this field. Qualcomm, as a leading developer and innovator of
advanced wireless technologies and data solutions, including HSPA, is
contributing by bringing its expertise to the project and enabling 3G
software and hardware, network service, technology training and project
management.

"Mobile broadband has the potential to bring affordable Internet access
to hundreds of millions of people globally who live beyond the reach of
fixed-line networks," said Dawn Haig-Thomas, director of the GSMA Development
Fund. "The innovative shared access approach being deployed by Vodacom
Tanzania demonstrates how operators can make the rich and important services
offered by mobile broadband accessible to many more people."

"Qualcomm is pleased to support this project with the GSMA Development
Fund through our Wireless Reach initiative," said Shawn A. Covell, senior
director of international government affairs for Qualcomm. "The introduction
of a mobile broadband technology such as HSPA will allow Tanzanians to
connect to the world, enabling access to much needed resources at affordable
prices. Supported by Vodacom's HSPA network, the Internet cafes will offer a
gateway to educational, medical and other information essential to improving
livelihoods."

About the GSMA:

The GSM Association (GSMA) is the global trade group representing more
than 750 GSM mobile operators across 218 countries and territories of the
world. The Association's members represent more than 3 billion GSM and 3GSM
connections -- over 86% of the world's mobile phone connections. In addition,
more than 200 manufacturers and suppliers support the Association's
initiatives.

The primary goals of the GSMA are to ensure mobile phones and wireless
services work globally and are easily accessible, enhancing their value to
individual customers and national economies, while creating new business
opportunities for operators and their suppliers.

About Vodacom:

Vodacom Tanzania Limited (Vodacom) is Tanzania's leading cellular network
offering state-of-the-art GSM/3G voice and HSDPA broadband communication
services to more than 4.5 million customers across the country.

Vodacom Tanzania Limited has deployed state of the art technology,
thereby enhancing its product portfolio and positioning itself as the market
leader for any communication solution. For voice, data, leased lines, PABX
connectivity, international connectivity, WiMAX fixed solutions, remote
communication solutions over satellite or banking solutions, Vodacom Tanzania
addresses the need. Vodacom Tanzania Limited continues to offer an
exceptional network with a massive coverage and extraordinary quality of
services at an affordable rate, with a view of empowering millions of
Tanzanians with meaningful access to telecommunications.

For more information please visit, http://www.vodacom.co.tz

About Qualcomm:

Qualcomm believes access to advanced wireless voice and data services
improves people's lives. The Company's Wireless Reach initiative supports
programs and solutions that bring the benefits of connectivity to developing
communities globally. Wireless Reach projects create new ways for people to
communicate, learn, access health care and reach global markets. For more
information, please visit http://www.qualcomm.com/wirelessreach.

Qualcomm Incorporated (http://www.qualcomm.com) is a leader in developing
and delivering innovative digital wireless communications products and
services based on CDMA and other advanced technologies. Headquartered in San
Diego, Calif., Qualcomm is included in the S&P 100 Index, the S&P 500 Index
and is a 2008 FORTUNE 500(R) company traded on The Nasdaq Stock Market(R)
under the ticker symbol QCOM.

Qualcomm is a registered trademark of Qualcomm Incorporated. Wireless
reach is a trademark of Qualcomm Incorporated. All other trademarks are the
property of their respective owners.

Web site: http://www.vodacom.co.tz
              http://www.qualcomm.com



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