Smile Communication Tanzania

What Smile Communication Tanzania does

Smile Communications Tanzania is a 4G LTE-only mobile telecommunications operator headquartered in Tanzania, launched in 2013 as the country's first pure 4G LTE network. The company provides SuperFast mobile broadband and SuperClear voice services to individual consumers and small businesses across nine regions — Dar es Salaam, Dodoma, Morogoro, Mbeya, Mwanza, Moshi, Arusha, Pwani, and Zanzibar — and is a subsidiary of the pan-African Smile Communications Group. Its sole technology platform is the 4G LTE network, delivering data speeds up to 21Mbps on premium plans.

The company's product portfolio is built around integrated hardware-and-service bundles: the LT300 MiFi portable hotspot (8 connected devices, 3200mAh battery), the SmileRouter (4 LAN ports, 32 Wi-Fi users), USB dongles, and SIM cards paired with data plans ranging from 440MB daily (Tsh 1,000) to 144GB monthly (Tsh 300,000). Always-on Connect plans with FUP-based throttling (ConnectDeile through ConnectPremium) complement time-limited SmileDeile, SmileWiki, SmileTatu, SmileLite, Anytime, and MidNite bundles. Voice services are delivered via per-second billing at Tsh 41/minute, combo bundles (VoiceCombo, SmileCombo), and the SmileVoice app offering unlimited free on-net calls. Self-service is handled through the MySmile mobile app and the XpressRecharge web portal.

Smile's go-to-market is direct-to-consumer across multiple channels: company-owned retail stores in nine regions, an e-commerce storefront at smile.co.tz, the MySmile and SmileVoice mobile apps, and mobile money top-up integrations with M-Pesa, Airtel Money, and Tigo Pesa. Revenue is generated from one-time hardware sales (Tsh 6,499 to Tsh 250,000) and recurring data and voice subscriptions, all priced in Tanzanian Shillings on a prepaid basis with no disclosed enterprise contracts or named anchor customers.

Name

Smile Communication Tanzania

Legal name

Smile Communications Tanzania

Website

https://smile.co.tz

Company type

Private

Founded year

2013

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Smile Communications Tanzania is a 4G LTE-only mobile broadband and voice operator launched in 2013, serving individual consumers and small businesses across nine Tanzanian regions with MiFi devices, routers, data bundles, and voice services.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Mobile Broadband Telecommunications

NAICS

Telecommunications Resellers (517121)

SIC

Radiotelephone Communications (4812)

akta.pro primary industry

VoIP Access & ITSP Services (HDAIAHAD)

Keywords

• 4G LTE broadband
• Mobile data services
• Telecom voice services
• Wireless internet
• Mobile broadband

Headquarters

HQ city

Dodoma

HQ country

Tanzania

HQ region

Africa

Offices9 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Data Bundles: Recurring data bundles sold on daily, weekly, and monthly basis with various data allowances (440MB to 144GB) and validity periods. Includes specialized bundles like MidNite (off-peak) and Connect packages (always-connected models).
2. Voice Services: Voice services including combo bundles with minutes and SMS, per-second billing at Tsh41/minute for calls, and unlimited on-net calls via SmileVoice app.
3. Hardware Sales: One-time sales of MiFi devices, routers, USB dongles, and SIM cards, often bundled with initial data packages. Products include 4G LTE LT300 MiFi, SmileRouter, and portable Wi-Fi dongles.
4. Airtime Credit: Prepaid airtime credit sold through mobile money platforms (Airtel Money, M-Pesa, Tigo Pesa) and online via XpressRecharge and MySmile Portal.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Smile Communication Tanzania is a 4G LTE-only mobile telecommunications operator providing SuperFast mobile broadband internet and SuperClear voice services across 9 regions in Tanzania. The company sells hardware devices (MiFi, SmileRouter, USB dongles, SIM cards) bundled with data plans, alongside subscription-based data bundles (SmileLite, Anytime, MidNite, Connect plans) and voice combo bundles accessible via self-care apps and online recharge.

Product overview

Smile Communication Tanzania is a 4G LTE-only telecommunications provider offering a unified portfolio of devices and data/voice services. The core offering consists of MiFi devices (portable Wi-Fi hotspots), routers (fixed wireless), USB dongles, and SIM cards bundled with data plans ranging from 1GB to 160GB. These hardware products are complemented by time-based data bundles (SmileLite, Anytime, MidNite, SmileWiki, SmileDeile, SmileTatu) and always-connected plans (ConnectDeile, ConnectWiki, ConnectLite, ConnectEssential, ConnectPremium). Voice services include VoiceCombo and SmileCombo bundles plus the SmileVoice App for international calling. Self-care is managed via the MySmile App and XpressRecharge portal. The company operates a 4G LTE network covering major Tanzanian cities including Dar es Salaam, Arusha, Dodoma, Mwanza, Mbeya, Morogoro, Pwani, and Zanzibar.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• MySmile: Self-care portal and mobile app for managing Smile services including recharge, share, balances and voucher redemption.
• SmileVoice
• XpressRecharge

Products and services

• All in One SIM + Data + Voice + SMS New Smile SIM card bundled with 1GB data, 100 on-net minutes, 75 off-net minutes, and 300 local SMS, all valid for 7 days. Targeted at first-time subscribers who need voice, SMS, and data in one starter package. Price: Sh 6,499.
• 15GB + Dongle + FREE SIM Portable Wi-Fi-enabled USB dongle with 15GB Anytime data valid for 30 days. Supports up to 4 Wi-Fi users concurrently. Includes FREE Smile SIM. Targeted at users needing plug-in portable internet. Price: Sh 50,000.
• 1GB + MiFi + FREE SIM Portable 4G LTE MiFi device bundled with 1GB Anytime data upon activation, valid 30 days. Includes key ring strap for mobility and FREE Smile SIM. Targeted at entry-level mobile broadband users. Price: Sh 80,000.
• 25GB + MiFi + FREE SIM 4G LTE LT300 MiFi device with 10GB upon activation plus 15GB recharge bonus over 3 months. Features LED display and connects 8 devices simultaneously. Includes FREE SIM. Targeted at users wanting extended data validity. Price: Sh 99,000.
• 60GB + MiFi + BONUS + FREE SIM 4G LTE LT300 MiFi device with 30GB Anytime data plus 30GB MidNite BONUS (1GB daily midnight-6AM for 30 days). Features 3200mah battery, LED display, connects 8 devices, data speed up to 21Mbps. Includes FREE SIM. Price: Sh 130,000.
• 30GB + Router + FREE SIM SmileRouter with 4 LAN ports and 30GB Anytime data valid for 30 days. Connects up to 32 Wi-Fi users simultaneously. Available in white or black. Includes FREE SIM. Targeted at home and small office broadband users. Price: Sh 200,000.
• 160GB + Router + BONUS + FREE SIM SmileRouter bundle with 100GB Anytime data plus 60GB BONUS (10GB monthly for 6 months upon recharge of 10GB or more). Connects up to 32 users. Includes FREE SIM. Targeted at heavy home/business users seeking extended data supply. Price: Sh 250,000.
• Connect Always-On Data Plans Always-connected unlimited data plans with daily, weekly, and monthly FUP limits. Tiers include ConnectDeile (Tsh 4,500 per 24 hours, 2.01GB FUP at 21Mbps), ConnectWiki (Tsh 35,000 per 7 days, 16GB FUP at 6Mbps), ConnectLite (Tsh 85,000 per 30 days, 40GB FUP at 3Mbps), ConnectEssential (Tsh 135,000 per 30 days, 63GB FUP at 8Mbps), and ConnectPremium (Tsh 250,000 per 30 days, 120GB FUP at 21Mbps).
• Time-Based Data Bundles (SmileLite, Anytime, MidNite, SmileWiki, SmileDeile, SmileTatu) Time-based prepaid data bundles including SmileLite (1-3GB/30 days, Tsh 3,500-7,500), Anytime (1GB-144GB/30 days, Tsh 3,500-300,000), MidNite (24GB/30 days off-peak at Tsh 51,000), SmileWiki (1.3-6.9GB/7 days, Tsh 3,000-14,500), SmileDeile (440MB-950MB/24 hrs, Tsh 1,000-2,000), and SmileTatu (1.1GB/3 days at Tsh 2,500).
• Voice Combo Bundles (VoiceCombo and SmileCombo) Voice combo bundles combining on-net and off-net voice minutes, SMS, and data. VoiceCombo (50mins on-net + 150mins off-net + 400MB + 500SMS, valid 14 days) at Tsh 9,999. SmileCombo (350mins all-net + 1GB + 1000SMS, valid 30 days) at Tsh 20,000. Per-second pay-as-you-go voice at Tsh 41/minute billed per second with no daily charge.
• SmileVoice App (Voice Calling Service) Application for making and receiving calls and sending/receiving SMS to/from any number worldwide. Features unlimited FREE on-net calls for Smile customers. Distributed via Apple App Store and Google Play.
• MySmile App (Self-Care Service) Mobile application for managing Smile services including recharge, share, balance checks, usage history, KYC compliance status, and social media connectivity. Available on Google Play and Apple App Store. Targets Smile customers needing self-service account management.
• XpressRecharge Platform Online recharge platform for purchasing airtime and data bundles with payment via PesaPal or Tingg payment gateways. Targets customers preferring online payments over mobile money or in-store recharges.

Quantifiable outcome

• Up to 21Mbps data speeds on premium plans
• +2 more outcomes

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration7 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Airtel MoneycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAirtel Money is integrated as a mobile payment option for Smile customers to recharge airtime and data bundles. Customers can use Airtel Money platform to pay for Smile services using Business Number 110110.
• M-PesacoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorM-Pesa (Vodacom) serves as a mobile payment partner enabling Smile customers to recharge airtime and data bundles via the M-Pesa platform using Business Number 110110.
• Tigo PesacoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTigo Pesa is integrated as a mobile payment option for Smile customers to recharge airtime and data bundles. Customers can use Tigo Pesa platform to pay for Smile services using Business Number 110110.
• PesaPalcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPesaPal serves as the primary online payment processor for Smile's XpressRecharge platform and MySmile Portal, enabling secure online payments for data and voice bundles.
• TinggminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTingg is referenced as an alternative online payment option alongside PesaPal for Smile's XpressRecharge platform payments.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Airtel Tanzania: Major MNO in Tanzania with multi-tech network (2G/3G/4G), Airtel Money, and broad device distribution. Directly competes for the same prepaid and SME broadband customers Smile targets.
• Halotel Tanzania: Viettel-backed MNO offering affordable mobile and data services across Tanzania. Competes with Smile on price-sensitive prepaid data and voice customers.
• Smile Communications Uganda: Sister Smile Group operator in Uganda running a pure 4G LTE network with voice, data, and device bundles. Closely comparable operating model and customer proposition to Smile Tanzania.
• Vodacom Tanzania: Largest MNO in Tanzania offering 2G/3G/4G voice, data, and M-Pesa mobile money. Competes with Smile on data and voice but with a much larger network footprint and integrated payments.
• TTCL (Tanzania Telecommunications Company): State-backed incumbent operator providing fixed and mobile services including 4G. Competes with Smile in fixed-wireless home broadband and SME segments via its SmileRouter-equivalent offerings.
• Smile Communications Nigeria: Sister Smile Group entity operating a 4G LTE network in Nigeria with a similar pure-4G, MiFi-and-data-bundle model. Directly comparable on technology stack, pricing strategy, and product portfolio.
• Smile Communications DRC: Sister Smile Group operation in the Democratic Republic of Congo with a comparable pure-4G LTE, device-bundled data/voice model. Same product, pricing, and go-to-market playbook.
• Tigo Tanzania (now part of Airtel via Y'tz): Historic Tanzanian MNO (now merged with Airtel) offering 2G/3G/4G data/voice with Tigo Pesa. Competes directly with Smile on data bundles and voice pricing in the prepaid market.

Regional players

• Safaricom: East African MNO leader (Kenya) and owner of M-Pesa. While not operating in Tanzania, it is the most relevant regional benchmark for 4G data monetization, mobile money integration, and app-led self-service — all of which Smile mirrors in Tanzania.
• Africell: Africa-focused MNO group operating in Sierra Leone, Gambia, DRC, and Uganda. Comparable mobile broadband and voice proposition for value-segment customers, with overlapping presence in DRC/Uganda alongside Smile.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights5 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/smile-communications-tanzania

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Smile Communication Tanzania