More towns get latest MTC technology

WINDHOEK NAMPA Mobile Telecommunications Limited (MTC) on Wednesday announced that it has successfully managed to connect eight more towns to its national network with fourth-generation/long-term evolution (4G/LTE) technology. Keetmanshoop, Ongwediva, Oshakati, Otjiwarongo, Outapi, Swakopmund, Tsumeb and Walvis Bay are the latest towns to be connected during the second phase of MTC's 4G/LTE expansion, the mobile communications operator said yesterday. It expects to reach 15,9% of the Namibian population by the time the phase is completed. The first phase focused exclusively on activating the technology in Windhoek, with MTC giving another year as the target for availing it to other parts of the country. With 4G/LTE now available in these towns, we are able to meet our customers' demands for faster speed, the company said in a statement. The development effectively allows customers in these towns to enjoy speeds of up to 100 megabits per second (Mbps). 4G/LTE technology, MTC said, ensures higher speeds and lower latency, which will translate into a more stable user experience, with stutter-free gaming and almost instantaneous music and picture downloads. MTC's Chief Human Capital and Corporate Affairs' Officer, Tim Ekandjo, was quoted as saying that phase three of the 4G/LTE expansion will see all cities in Namibia activated, along with parts of rural areas where the company currently has fibres available. We are looking at completing phase three by mid-2014 with 1800MHZ in urban areas and a 800MHZ band in peri-urban and rural areas, which will allow us to cover 45% of the Namibian population, Ekandjo said.