MTC to invest in rural network upgrades

Following months of high-level consultations between the Governors of all regions and Mobile Telecommunications Limited MTC, MTC yesterday announced that it has availed over N$12 million for network infrastructural improvements and upgrades.
These plans form part of MTC s network and infrastructural development program set up by the network operator and the regional governments.
The Regional Governments were instrumental in highlighting and identifying the geographical areas that warrants the improved network reception, as they were asked to identify towns and areas were coverage is needed mostly.
The investment from MTC will amount to N$12 million during the year under review, and 6 of the 13 regions have been earmarked for construction of new towers to extensively improve network reception in remote and rural parts of the country.
The six regions and their areas are Elavi in Oshikoto , Onawa in Omusati, Omatako Valley in Otjozondjupa, Otjiyarwa in Omaheke, Kapani in Caprivi and Mata Mata in the Karas region. The duration of the construction including Environmental Impact Assessment studies are forecasted to be 5 months with the target completion expected to around August 2013.
“The uniqueness of this approach is that we have given the Regional Governments ownership of their own development in line with National development goals. Our approach was simple as we believe that key to a successful economy is the presence of infrastructure especially that of ICT which is our core business. These efforts are meant to support Government objectives in its ideals to improve ICT in rural areas”, stated Tim Ekandjo
 “To this effect the announcement we made here today is the culmination of months of planning and is indicative what cooperation can achieve between parties, especially since the Regional heed our calls to help us in identifying the critical areas that needed this network improvements, that this roll out is for this financial year and that we will attend to the other priorities in the next financial year” expressed Ekandjo.
“For many years, the focus on ICT development has largely been concentrated in urban areas, we have therefore headed the call by His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Namibia, Hifikepunye Pohamba, when he said that we must make an effort to take ICT development to rural areas,” concludes Ekandjo.