TESTING electronic communication devices manufactured or imported into Tanzania for adherence to national and international safety and quality standards is about to start, as an electronics equipment laboratory rolls out its services.

Dr Jabir Bakari, the Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA) director general said in a statement over the weekend that the testing process is aimed at building user confidence in electronic devices used countrywide. 

The laboratory helps to verify the quality of devices before they enter the local market, controlling the circulation of counterfeit and substandard products, he said, asserting that testing ensures that devices comply with the required standards before they are imported and used in the country. 

This helps to protect consumers and prevents communication interference caused by devices operating on unauthorized frequencies, he said of the laboratory that was completed on March 27, 2024 as scheduled. 

The project was implemented within a year from April 2023 to March 2024, with the completion of the laboratory marking a significant step in Tanzania's efforts to strengthen communication infrastructure and protect consumers from substandard electronic devices.

Its services will not only enhance the quality of electronic communication devices but also position Tanzania as a leader in communication device certification across the region, he said, as the state-of-the-art testing laboratory is designed to verify the safety and performance of devices like mobile phones, tablets and laptops.

The testing focuses on radio frequency efficiency, in evaluating how well electronic communication devices (such as phones) operate using 2G, 3G, 4G, and 5G networks.

Another sphere is radiation levels, measuring the specific absorption rate (SAR) to ensure that the radiation emitted by these devices remains within safe limits, the statement elaborated.

The testing process prevents potential health risks and ensures that devices operate effectively without disrupting communication networks, it said, affirming that manufacturers and importers seeking approval for their electronic communication devices are required to apply through the Tanzanite Portal. 

The application process involves submitting detailed information about the device and attaching the necessary documentation, it said, elaborating that once the devices are submitted to TCRA's laboratory for testing, those meeting the set standards are issued with a certificate of approval and a special label confirming compliance. 

Approved devices are added to the regulator's online database of certified electronic communication devices, accessible to the public via the TCRA website, he said, asserting that 

Tanzania is the first country in East and Central Africa to establish an electronic communication device certification laboratory. 

It is also one of only two countries within the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) to have such a facility, as Tanzania now joins an elite group of 12 African countries with similar laboratories.

The others are Tunisia, South Africa, Ghana, Nigeria, Cameroon, Benin, Guinea, Togo, Senegal, Mali and Mauritania, the statement added.