Better connections for rural areas

The Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (Cran) recently announced an agreement with Telecom Namibia, which aims to bring better internet connections for Namibians living in remote areas.

Under the agreement, about N$10 million will be allocated for the installation of radio access network (RAN) towers across rural areas.

Earlier this month, Telecom Namibia chief executive officer Stanley Shanapinda said: “This agreement represents a significant step forward in our mission to connect all Namibians. By investing these funds in robust infrastructure, we are not just building towers; we are creating a digital lifeline for rural communities.”

Following a successful bid by the state-owned telecommunications company, N$9 796 650 has been allocated specifically for the rollout of essential telecommunications infrastructure in key areas.

According to Telecom Namibia, the initiative is “to ensure that remote communities have access to reliable and high-quality communication services”.

The rollout targets underserved areas in regions including Kavango East and West, Kunene, Ohangwena, Omusati, Oshikoto, Zambezi and ||Kharas.

The new infrastructure aims to improve voice and internet connectivity, while Telecom has also agreed that educational and health facilities within the coverage of the new towers will be connected free of charge for the next seven years.

Selection process

"The Universal Service Fund (USF) is a cornerstone of our strategy to ensure inclusive communication services," Cran chief executive officer Emilia Nghikembua said.

"Through a transparent and rigorous selection process, we have worked with Telecom Namibia to accelerate our digital infrastructure targets for 2024–27,” she added.

Through the same USF, Cran signed a similar, though larger, agreement with Namibia’s leading mobile operator MTC in February.

The USF, launched by Cran in March last year, is a strategic fund designed to bridge the digital divide. It provides financial support to telecommunications licence holders to build infrastructure such as towers in rural and underserved areas, with the aim of improving access to internet and voice services.

To date, a total of N$42.1 million has been allocated under Phase 2 of the USF rollout programme. Telecom Namibia and MTC are so far the only successful contract beneficiaries.

“The contract stipulates that, upon signing, 70% must be paid upfront, amounting to a total of N$29.4 million under Phase 2 of the USF,” Cran explained.

“This includes N$22.6 million allocated to MTC and N$6.8 million to Telecom Namibia. An additional N$27.8 million was paid to MTC under Phase 1,” Cran noted.

Bridging the gap

A total of 12 RAN towers are planned under Phase 2, with Telecom Namibia set to erect three and MTC nine. Last year, following the establishment of the USF, nine towers were installed during Phase 1.

About 100 towers will be required over the next four years to address the connectivity gap.

“Approximately N$400 million will be needed. In addition to this terrestrial infrastructure, other technologies such as community networks and low-earth-orbit satellites will be deployed,” the authority said.