TANZANIA, Aug. 14 -- ON the morning of 31 July 2013, there was an unmistakable sense that something unusual was about to happen at the Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA). Journalists had gathered early. Television cameras were already in position. Guests continued to stream into the venue while officials made the final preparations.

Behind the scenes, there was the familiar tension that accompanies every major public launch, the quiet checking of microphones, the last review of speeches and the final confirmation that every detail was in place. Yet none of us present could have imagined that, before the day ended, three ordinary words would begin a journey that would eventually become part of Tanzanias everyday vocabular...