The evolution of Telecommunications in Tanzania can be traced as far back as the early1920s, when the then Tanganyika and Zanzibar were still under colonial rule. The colonial settlers, foreign trading companies and later missionaries, established their centres in the country, thus the spread of the Postal and Telecommunications network followed the pattern of these centres.

The amalgamation of previous independent Postal, Telegraph and Telephone facilities in the then Tanganyika, Kenya and Uganda, took place in 1933 resulting into the formation of a company known as East African Posts and Telegraph Company which became a self contained service with its own capital account. In 1951 the East African Posts and Telecommunication Act provided an instrument covering all Postal and Telecommunications services which came to be known as the East African Posts and Telecommunications Administration.

In 1961, when Tanganyika became independent, The East African High Commission gave way to a new organ, the East African Common Service Organization (EASCO) and the Head of Posts and Telecommunications was designated Postmaster General (PMG).

East African Posts and Telecommunications Corporation(EAP&TC)

On 1st December, 1967 The East African Community was established and became operative from 1st January, 1968 replacing the then East African Common Services Organization. It also brought certain changes in the operation of P & T Administration. The name of the Administration was changed to "Corporation" and since then the business was conducted on commercial lines under the East African Posts and Telecommunications Corporation (EAP&TC).

Tanzania Posts and Telecommunications Corporation (TPTC)

The disintegration of the East African Community in 1977 necessitated the establishment of Posts and Telecommunications organizations in each member state of the defunct Community. The Tanzania Government incepted a parastatal known as Tanzania Posts and Telecommunications Corporation (TPTC) in 1978.

However, in 1993 the Corporation (TPTC) was split as part of the government's move to liberalize the communications sector in the country. Following this split three entities were formed, and these are the Tanzania Posts Corporation (TPC) The Tanzania Telecommunications Company Limited (TTCL) and Tanzania Communication Commission (TCC).

Tanzania Telecommunications Company Limited (TTCL)

The Tanzania Telecommunications Company Limited (TTCL) was established by an Act of Parliament, "The Tanzania Telecommunication Company Incorporation Act of 1993". The company came into operation on 1st January, 1994.

According to the Act, TTCL has been established to develop and operate telecommunications service within and outside the Country. In brief the areas of activities for the company include: