Martin Endjala
The Minister of Information Communication and Technology, Peya Mushelanga says cabinet has directed the Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia to develop a 5G national plan for consideration.
This consideration is said to be in line with what government wants to achieve given the evolving tech industry worldwide and the endless opportunities it has to offer.
Mushelenga was talking on Tuesday during the launch of a network tower commissioned in the Oshana region in the Okatyali constituency under its 081Every1 project launched in 2017.
The minister said that with the ever growing ecommerce, advanced networks such as this are vital fir economic emancipation of the country, adms this will attract more investments.
Mushelenga emphasized that network connectivity has become a necessity and no longer a privilege.
CRAN has already began conducting consultations with all relevant stakeholders.
Meanwhile the Mobile Telecommunication (MTC) commissioned its 1000th network tower countrywide via its 081Every1 project, with funding’s estimated to be at the value of N$700 0000 million.
MTC is also earmarking to upgrade its network towers from 4G to 5G soon.
Mushelenga said that as the country reaches another milestone in celebrating its 33rd independence, initiatives such as this are a symbol to the countries development and commitment in providing connectivity to all Namibians countrywide.
After learning that the constituency residents have been without connectivity, he was quick to point out that this should not go on any longer, stressing that no one should be left behind, thus urging MTC to speed up its roll out of network towers to all under developed rural arears.
MTC CEO Licky Erastus emphasised that they plan on a 100 percent network coverage of which stands currently at 98 percent.
Erastus said that about 268 sites have been commissioned with network coverage with on 24 sites said remaining.
The CEO is adamant that MTC continues to be a network coverage enabler for all Namibians and to unlock its digital potentiality.
The completion of the data and network tower Erastus said it will enable rural communities to source electricity power.
Meanwhile, the Oshana region Governor Elia Irimari noted with disappointment that his office has been receiving concerns from the residents of poor network.
But hopes that with the commissioned network tower in the constituency it will help stabilize the connectivity.
“Connectivity is a necessity and every Namibian is entitled to it”, Irimari said.
He called one residents to look after the tower and not to vandalize it as a lot of cost went into realising the project.
