National fibre network – 24 more towns covered, 40 existing sites upgraded
Telecom is expanding and upgrading its fibre network in leaps and bounds with the recent completion of installations in 24 towns across Namibia. Another 40 existing sites are in the process of being upgraded.
Head of Corporate Communications & Public Relations, Oiva Angula said the telecommunications utility has been aggressively enlarging the scope of its fibre backbone to bring enhanced connectivity to both public and private users of internet services. Improving the capacity of the national fibre network is one of Telecom’s strategies to make it less dependent on copper, and to neutralise the effects of copper cables, which Telecom said continues on a daily basis.
The towns which have been connected by fibre recently comprise Swakopmund, Oshakati, Ongwediva, Luderitz, Keetmanshoop, Omuthiya, Omafo, Omalala, Okahao, Oshikango, Okakarara, Otjiwarongo, Khorixas, Okahandja, Karibib, Opuwo, Gobabis, Karasburg, Ruacana, Eenhana, Tsumeb, Oshifo and Rundu. The fibre network in Windhoek has also been extended with new installations in areas previously only covered by copper cable.
Some rural installations of fibre which are still ongoing include Otjiwa (Talismanus) via Rietfontein and De Hoek from Buitepos. These extensions will be completed during the current financial year.
Similarly, the Fixed Broadband network was expanded through additional ADSL (Asymmetric digital subscriber line), Very fast digital subscriber line (VDSL) and Gigabit Passive Optical Network (GPON) port capacities, to Aranos, Bethanie, Buitepos, Eenhana, Grootfontein, Swakopmund, Henties Bay, Kaisosi, Kalkfeld, Karaburg, Katima Mulilo, Maltahöhe, Mariental, Keetmanshoop, Khorixas, Kuisebmond, Lüderitz, Ogongo, Okahao, Okalongo, Okakarara, Rundu, Tsumeb, Walvis Bay, Oranjemund, Otjiwarongo, Rehoboth, Oluno, Omaruru, Ondangwa and Omuthiya.
Angula said Telecom has also deployed new Multi-Service Access Node (MSAN) sites at Auas Retirement Village, Nkurenkuru, Kahenge, Swakopmund Waterfront, Ompoto in Ohangwena, Khorixas, and Otjiwarongo while new WiMAX base stations were installed at Ondangwa, Kongola and Nchinchimane to increase fixed wireless broadband coverage.
The 40 km stretch of old fibre between Nankudu and Rupara in the Kavango West region is being replaced as well.
“The government network was made ready for service at 13 Regional Council offices and 13 points of presence, dedicated for National Government Services” Angula said adding that this service will also be extended to Nkurenkure once the building works have been completed.
