communication in DES

Hi there,
I was a Peace Corps volunteer in TZ about a year ago, so my info isn't totally up to date, but I'll put it out there any how.

Internet connectivity in Dar is decent.
The cell phone companies support at least GPRS on their networks, and surfing via phone is doable and rather cheap. I could usually check my email on my phone for less than sending a text message in 2008.

There are plenty of internet cafes in Dar es Salam, but the speeds there are not always great and you have to watch out for viruses. Many of the computers at these palces are not well maintained or very secure. Cost wise they ran around 1000TSH per hour. So, about a dollar an hour.

I lived more inland, and I'm not too familiar with all the coastal cities, but the cell phone networks and at least a few internet cafes will be in any town you should visit.

Hope it helps,
GcR

Not sure how much I can help but will tell u what I know of TZ. Land line phone- I am not sure if they even exist, I have lived here over a 1 1/2 and never seen anyone with one. Cell phones are no problem. Everyone everywhere has them. No matter where you are in Tz. You can even send text messages back to American from here to there. (although it is expensive) Phone minutes are more here than in the U.S. you only have pre paid cards, no monthly service. But even the Massai in the bush have cell phones. Internet near Dar should not be a problem, Dar is really big and should have everything like that. We live just outside of Arusha Tanzania, and internet is not a problem up the road for us but where our house is for some reason b/c of the trees we couldn't get internet. We told the landlord that we might not be able to stay hear b/c of that (when we first moved in) and he built a $3,000 internet tower in our backyard, and now we have no prob. So i dont want to say it is a guarantee you will have it everywhere but most likely in Dar you would, (at your house) there are little internet cafes in many places throughout Tanzania, but also keep in mind that there are many power cuts here to ration power so some days we dont have power/ no internet, ok ok i am trying to hurry and ramble before the kids wake up but i wanted to throw a quick word in to your question, hope this helps.
Bonnie
Tanzania2007@msn.com