MTC ready to launch 4G

Leading mobile telecommunications operator, MTC is ready to introduce fourth generation technology (4G) in Namibia.
After successfully launching the second trial within a space of one year, the company is optimistic that the new technology will allow for better and higher levels of efficiency and at the same time allow considerable energy saving.
Speaking at the demonstration of the 4G second trial on Wednesday this week, Dirk Conradie, MTC’s board chairman, asked the Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (CRAN) and the City of Windhoek to bless this development to allow Namibia to be amongst the first countries in Africa and the world at large with this technology.
“We certainly do not want to do a third trial, but we would like to now go live with 4G in the best interest of our customers and the country as a whole,” said Conradie.
Conradie said that the launch of this trial demonstrates MTC’s commitment towards spearheading ICT development and the growth of the industry in Namibia.
Miguel Geraldes, MTC’s managing director, concurred stating that his company is ready to launch once CRAN authorises the frequencies and after the City of Windhoek has authorised fibre for base stations to be built in Windhoek.
During the demonstration of the second trial, the 4G showed speeds of over 100 megabits per seconds (Mbps), which is 20 times faster than that of the current 3G technology. The 4G also demonstrated that one can download a movie in 53 seconds against 18 minutes of the previous technology, and only 0.3 seconds to download a MP3 song against 1 minute in the previous 3G. The 3G and 4G differ in the sense that 3G operates on a single frequency, while 4G operates on a multiband of at least three frequencies.
Prime Minister Nahas Angula called upon the relevant authorities, to take critical decisions very soon in the best interest of ICT development.
“I therefore entrust the Minister of ICT with this responsibility to ensure that these decisions are taken,” said Angula.
He also advised MTC to give the citizens relevant information regarding infrared waves to avoid unfounded fear. “get somebody or international organisations to educate the public,” said the Prime Minister.
The foundation for 4G was laid three years ago when MTC launched the new Single Radio Access Network which combines several technologies in the same hardware, generating important energy and maintenance savings whilst significantly improving quality of service.
MTC is further anticipating that the West African Cable System (WACS) in which it has invested N$100 million, as well as the fibre backbones countrywide, another investment of N$100 million, will result in improved and better Internet services as well as affordable rates to Namibians.