03 December 2013

tn mobile, the mobile division of Telecom Namibia, is the first operator in Namibia to offer4G LTE prepaid broadband service to consumers.

This follows the launch of tn mobile’s superfast 4G LTE network and services by the minister of ICT Joel Kaapanda last week.

With the tn mobile Prepaid 4G LTE, users can now enjoy faster data access on their laptops and PCs on tn mobile’s 4G LTE network, with theoretical download speeds of up to 100Mbps.

The tn mobile Prepaid 4G LTE is available at N$298 and comes with a Dongle bundled with free 500 MB data. The out of bundle rate is 95 cents per MB.

The service is currently available in Windhoek, Swakopmund, Walvis Bay, Henties Bay, Ondangwa, Oshakati, Ongwediva, Ohangwena and Oshikango.

Outside the 4G LTE coverage area users will be served by tn mobile’s 3G HSPA+ network with theoretical download speeds of up to 21Mbps and upload of 5.76Mbps, which makes it the fastest 3G service in the country.

“Where the 3G/HSPA+ network is not available our 2G network will do the job. So we always have you covered,” explains Chris Keeping, Chief Mobile Officer at Telecom Namibia.

“We will continue to enhance and expand our 4G LTE network coverage to key towns around the country,” Keeping added.

"Leveraging on our new 4G LTE network, we are glad to offer the country's first 4G LTE prepaid broadband service. Our prepaid users are now able to enjoy ultra-fast 4G LTE data access and an enhanced mobile experience," says Oiva Angula, senior manager for corporate communications and public relations at Telecom Namibia.

“As an example, tn mobile also offers an uncongested 4G LTE experience in Windhoek with our 4G LTE base stations covering the whole capital city and surroundings. No other operator has our number of base stations to provide the quality and speed customers want,” Angula said.

20 January 2014

“Happiness depends on giving and not on receiving;” said Honorable Minister of Education Dr. David Namwandi at the official Telecom Namibia bursary handover ceremony; “and I think Telecom Namibia is doing an expetional job”.

Telecom Namibia hosted their annual Bursary Scheme handover ceremony on Monday the 20th of January 2014. Ten bursaries were awarded to students as part of Telecom Namibia’s social investment in creating a strong and productive skills base, which will enable the economy to grow.

The handover ceremony was officiated by the Minster of Education Dr.David Namwandi along with Managing Director Frans Ndoroma and Mr Andrew Kamime Chief Head of Human Resource.

Telecom Namibia introduced the bursary scheme in 1999 to address the skills shortages in the Namibian market particularly in the areas of information technology; telecommunication and electronic engineering.

Addressing the students at this auspicious occasion Managing Director of Telecom Namibia Mr Frans Ndororma congratulated and praised the students on their diligence, character and achievements in the year 2013.“I believe your efforts and ability will take you forward on your path of excellence and set you on the course for success” he said

The Deputy Minister of Education further implored the students by encouraging them to appreciate this opportunity, “ it is not a right it is a privilege, make use of this golden opportunity so that you and your country can reap the benefits.” He further added that; “Telecom is a true partner of the Ministry of Education and concluded by stating that “ it is important for institutions and the government to hold hands in educating our youth and encouraged other companies to follow suite.

The Telecom Namibia bursary recipients for the academic 2014 are:

• Leonard Pertrus, from the //Karas region, for a Bachelor in Accounting Science at the Polytechnic of Namibia.
• Johannes Rauna, from the //Karas region, for a Bachelor in Accounting Science at the Polytechnic of Namibia.
• Carlos Sibalatani, from the Zambezi region, for a BachelorElectronic Engineering at the Polytechnic of Namibia.
• Jesaya Mushisheni, from the Ohangwena region, for a Bachelor Electronic Engineering at the University ofNamibia.
• Apronia Shimmi, from the Oshana region, for a Bachelor Electronic Engineering at the University of Namibia.
• Domigos David, from the kavango region, for a Bachelor Electronic Engineering at the Polytechnic of Namibia.
• Aili Matheus, from the Komas Region, for a Bachelor Electronic Engineering at the Polytechnic of Namibia.
• Riahama Musutua, from the Kunene Region, for a Bachelor of Information Technology at the Polytechnic of Namibia.
• Levy Hamukoto, from the Otjozondjupa Region, for a Bachelor of Information Technology at the Polythecnic of Namibia.
• Denzil Tsauseb, from the Erongo Region, for a Bachelor of Information Technology at the Polytechnic of Namibia.

By 7 March 2014

The Namibia Internet Exchange Point was launched last week Friday. The new IXP forms part of the African Internet Exchange System project launched in 2012 by the African Union.

The new IXP was formally inaugurated by Hon. Stanley Simataa, Deputy Minister of ICT and Dr. Elham M.A Ibrahim, Commissioner for Infrastructure and Energy, African Union Commission. Also present at the opening were Mr. Mbeuta Ua-Ndjarakana, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of ICT; Dr. Dawit Bekele, Director African Bureau for the Internet Society; Mr. Frans Ndoroma, Managing Director of Telecom Namibia; Mr. Schalk Erasmus, Chairperson of Namibia’s IXP Association and Mr. Nishal Goburdhan from AFRINIC.

The deputy minister lauded the AU for its support to his country saying it will bring better livelihood to the country.

"With this development, the ICT Sector in Namibia has every reason to celebrate for a new era of localized, cost effective and secure internet traffic, has dawned. That notwithstanding, we are called upon to safeguard this infrastructure for the betterment of the livelihood of the users. I however hasten to state that today's historic event would not have been possible without the invaluable support provided by the African Union Commission," he said.

Dr. Elham also noted the important role ICT is playing the continent especially in development, creating employment, providing opportunities for innovation and entrepreneurship, as well as acting as an enabler in the digital delivery of government services, education, and healthcare.

Telecom Namibia’s managing director Frans Ndoroma described the launch as “another milestone” in Namibia’s Internet history.

“Today we are not just launching a switch, but the establishment of a foundation. So this is a truly fine start, but the journey has just begun for the entire Internet community of Namibia,” Ndoroma said.

The new IXP is hosted at Telecom Namibia’s co-location facilities in Windhoek, because most ISPs to be connected to

be connected to the new switch have been running their services off the Telecom Namibia network all the years.

“Telecom Namibia was fulfilling the role of the local IXP up to now. For that reason, we are happy to host the new IXP at Telecom Namibia on behalf of Government - our 100% shareholder,” the MD said.

Ndoroma further said that with a WACS landing point, the newly gained international connectivity and upgrade of the national network to all stations and end-users, Telecom Namibia was opening up avenues for increased digital participation by Namibians.

“Also direct connections and link capacity upgrades to neighbouring countries like Zambia, Angola, Botswana and Zimbabwe - with others to follow, has positioned Namibia well to play the role of a regional Internet traffic hub,” he added.

Ndoroma said that the presence of a domestic would IXP enhance Namibia’s ability to build a robust domestic internet eco system and economy.

“It is our belief that this IXP will begin to attract content providers, along with business, academic, and government users, and thereby become the centre of a vibrant Internet ecosystem in the country.

“We need to encourage the development and hosting of local content. Major companies operating in Namibia must also be encouraged to start shifting ground from hosting abroad to hosting in Namibia. They need to migrate some of their servers into the country, because we have capacity to host their contents,” he added.

The project aims to retain Africa’s Internet traffic by building capacity and providing technical assistance to facilitate the establishment of national Internet exchange points as well as regional Internet exchange points in Africa. The role of IXP is to keep local internet traffic within local infrastructure and to reduce costs associated with traffic exchange between Internet service providers (ISPs). Namibia is amongst 25 countries that have benefited from the project so far.