New network tower commissioned in Garden Town
Digital services a priority
4G services now available to the community of Veddersdal and surrounds
Telecom Namibia subsidiary PowerCom officially unveiled the Veddersdal Tower, enabling the company to launch its 4G LTE Network services in, Okahandja.
The tower increases access to services in the town and improves network coverage on the national roads leading in and out of the town towards Karibib and Otjiwarongo.
The tower was officially launched by information and communication technology minister, Dr Peya Mushelenga, who highlighted the importance of telecommunications as a catalyst for business and investment in the country.
Mushelenga said although the Covid-19 pandemic had a devastating effect on many, it also inspired technological innovations that are now being widely used in the country.
Many schools and tertiary institutions now offer classes remotely through ICT technology while companies and some public institutions also offer services online. In addition, banks have also deployed online and mobile payment capabilities, making transactions faster and more affordable, he added.
“This Edtech, Fintech, Meditech and other online or digital services would not be possible in the absence of technology, particularly the internet.”
Addressing connectivity
He was disheartened by the fact that only 50% of the population enjoys internet coverage in their areas. “A majority of our population do not have access to the internet or if there are internet services in their areas, the signals are not so strong and connectivity is therefore poor. We thus need to redouble our efforts and work very hard as stakeholders in the ICT sector to make the internet more accessible and secure 100% in all parts of the country.”
At the launch, Telecom Namibia’s board chairperson, Melkizedek Uupindi, said digital transformation through provision of digital services is a top priority for Telecom Namibia Group.
“The digital wave is sweeping across Namibia with exponential growth in data volumes for consumers and businesses. There is rise in consumption of content especially when it comes to social media, streaming, gaming, websites, bandwidth-intensive services, mobile-app and e-commerce platforms, amongst others. And thus, enormous investment is therefore required from network operators, as demand for bandwidth continues to increase.”
Uupindi said that the community of Veddersdal has a few schools and boasts various types of SMEs. “The tower will allow the young people in Veddersdal and surrounding areas, who are our leaders of tomorrow, access to the internet, which will inevitably become their ‘information highway’ and their pathway to education.
“Similarly, the same tower will support entrepreneurs and SMEs in Veddersdal and surrounding areas to develop local digital ecosystems and develop or leverage on wider opportunities that come with good quality connectivity, which increases the opportunity gap.
Looking ahead
At the same event Powercom chief executive Beatus Amadhila said that the company plans to erect at least 500 towers in the next five years to the tune of ±N$600 million. “With our current five-year strategic plan cycle that started running on 1 October 2021 until 30 September 2026, we are keen to make amends on the previous shortcomings and challenges,” he said.
He said the Veddersdal launch is part of six sites that Powercom started constructing in the first quarter of the current financial year.
“We are currently in the process of awarding eleven more sites to the successful bidders to the tune of a combined value of N$14.4 million.”
According to Amadhila, the construction of six more towers valued at N$7.2million will likely be completed before the end of September.
Veddersdal customers can now enjoy TN 4G across a range of smart devices including 4G compatible smartphones and 4G hotspots. TN 4G will allow customers to experience uninterrupted entertainment in High Definition. This latest 4G upgrade, further cements TN’s commitment to invest in infrastructure upgrades that enables digital transformation and consistently enables a superior online experience for customers.
The tower increases access to services in the town and improves network coverage on the national roads leading in and out of the town towards Karibib and Otjiwarongo.
The tower was officially launched by information and communication technology minister, Dr Peya Mushelenga, who highlighted the importance of telecommunications as a catalyst for business and investment in the country.
Mushelenga said although the Covid-19 pandemic had a devastating effect on many, it also inspired technological innovations that are now being widely used in the country.
Many schools and tertiary institutions now offer classes remotely through ICT technology while companies and some public institutions also offer services online. In addition, banks have also deployed online and mobile payment capabilities, making transactions faster and more affordable, he added.
“This Edtech, Fintech, Meditech and other online or digital services would not be possible in the absence of technology, particularly the internet.”
Addressing connectivity
He was disheartened by the fact that only 50% of the population enjoys internet coverage in their areas. “A majority of our population do not have access to the internet or if there are internet services in their areas, the signals are not so strong and connectivity is therefore poor. We thus need to redouble our efforts and work very hard as stakeholders in the ICT sector to make the internet more accessible and secure 100% in all parts of the country.”
At the launch, Telecom Namibia’s board chairperson, Melkizedek Uupindi, said digital transformation through provision of digital services is a top priority for Telecom Namibia Group.
“The digital wave is sweeping across Namibia with exponential growth in data volumes for consumers and businesses. There is rise in consumption of content especially when it comes to social media, streaming, gaming, websites, bandwidth-intensive services, mobile-app and e-commerce platforms, amongst others. And thus, enormous investment is therefore required from network operators, as demand for bandwidth continues to increase.”
Uupindi said that the community of Veddersdal has a few schools and boasts various types of SMEs. “The tower will allow the young people in Veddersdal and surrounding areas, who are our leaders of tomorrow, access to the internet, which will inevitably become their ‘information highway’ and their pathway to education.
“Similarly, the same tower will support entrepreneurs and SMEs in Veddersdal and surrounding areas to develop local digital ecosystems and develop or leverage on wider opportunities that come with good quality connectivity, which increases the opportunity gap.
Looking ahead
At the same event Powercom chief executive Beatus Amadhila said that the company plans to erect at least 500 towers in the next five years to the tune of ±N$600 million. “With our current five-year strategic plan cycle that started running on 1 October 2021 until 30 September 2026, we are keen to make amends on the previous shortcomings and challenges,” he said.
He said the Veddersdal launch is part of six sites that Powercom started constructing in the first quarter of the current financial year.
“We are currently in the process of awarding eleven more sites to the successful bidders to the tune of a combined value of N$14.4 million.”
According to Amadhila, the construction of six more towers valued at N$7.2million will likely be completed before the end of September.
Veddersdal customers can now enjoy TN 4G across a range of smart devices including 4G compatible smartphones and 4G hotspots. TN 4G will allow customers to experience uninterrupted entertainment in High Definition. This latest 4G upgrade, further cements TN’s commitment to invest in infrastructure upgrades that enables digital transformation and consistently enables a superior online experience for customers.
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