Telecom Namibia says it successfully completed eight FTTx projects worth NAB35.5 million (US$1.9 million) for underserved areas in 2023 and 2024, and will invest another NAB27 million to expand its fibre access network further in the coming year.
Under the eight FTTx projects, Telecom Namibia installed over 233,800 meters of fibre in Okahandja, Windhoek North-East, Windhoek North-West, Windhoek Rural, Windhoek CBD, and Windhoek South in the central-north region. Fibre access was also expanded in Swakopmund and Walvis Bay on the coast, Ondangwa and Oshakati in the far north, Katima Mulilo, Otjiwarongo, Rundu, and Tsumeb in the northeast, and Oranjemund in the south region.
Telecom Namibia said the projects connected an additional 7,838 erven (a.k.a. plots of land registered in a deeds registry and laid out as a township, whether they’re officially certified as towns or not), particularly in traditionally underserved areas.
Telecom Namibia said it will invest NAB27 million in the 2024/25 financial year to expand its fibre network and enhance connectivity across the country, starting in underserved areas such as Katutura in Windhoek and Kuisebmond and Narraville in Walvis Bay.
According to Telecom Namibia, the fibre projects aim to not only bring broadband connectivity to underserved areas, but also modernize its communication infrastructure and replace existing copper infrastructure that has been prone to copper theft and sabotage.
“These projects demonstrate the power of collaboration in delivering essential infrastructure improvements,” said Telecom Namibia CEO Dr Stanley Shanapinda in a statement on Thursday. “We are confident that the fibre network will serve as a valuable asset to Namibia for years to come.”
