By Erasmus Nekundi
As a country, we acknowledge that we still have a fraction of the population whose full participation in the economy is restricted due to the digital divide. This exclusion continues to be a critical hinderance to equal access to information and ultimately to the developmental agenda and prosperity of many developing countries. While we constantly keep on adapting and leveraging the new technological infrastructure, a meaningful impact is due when we make information and communication technology accessible to all citizens, hence the country’s incessant effort in investing in broadband technology that will give remote areas quality internet connectivity.
MTC – the country’s premier digital enabler has a principal and standing commitment to bridge the digital divide and bring about equal internet access for the upliftment of the socio-economic welfare of the people. Thus, in its progression to complement the government efforts, the company continues to invest in network infrastructure, extending its footprint to the most periphery areas with a resolve to achieve 100% population network coverage.
Over the past five years, MTC has invested over N$1 billion in the expansion of its national footprint in rural and urban communities across Namibia’s 14 regions, achieving a significant milestone of 98% population coverage. This has arguably unlocked the participation of many rural communities into the mainstream economy. Furthermore, through the flagship network expansion project (the 081Every1 project), 300 sites were added/upgraded, and 70% of the sites were migrated from 3G to 4G, with the majority in rural areas. This is to ensure that rural population benefits from the same experience of mobile broadband as their urban counterparts. Additionally, the telco continues to migrate customers to 3G and 4G by offering affordable smart phones – encouraging a transition from feature phones to smart devices.
In this competitive era, it is a no brainer that the adaptation and convergence of ICT unlocks business (micro and macro) efficiency in the delivery of services and products. The correlation between access to ICT and economic growth is a crucial factor that no country or business can overlook. It can never be overstated that ICT is indispensable. It is the enabler of innovation. It boosts socio-economic growth through the creation of much needed products, services and the creation of quality smart jobs.
The shared vision of providing a relevant and inclusive technological ecosystem must be underpinned with the latest engines of technology upon which a backbone of the Namibian digital economy is or must be formed. As a country, our digital drive to facilitate innovation and digitalisation must be anchored on smart cooperation (s), for it is through such that the net for inclusivity is extended further to capture the participation of the previously excluded members of the society in the mainstream economy.
Recently, MTC conducted Namibia’s official and first ever 5G trial. This symbolizes Namibia’s stride and commitment to shielding Namibia’s digital future – putting technology as a propellant of the national smart economy and developmental agenda. The opportunities that come with 5G are vast for us (especially big Enterprises) to leverage and meet global ICT standards that are feasible for e-governance, e-commerce, e-health, e-education and everything “e.” With quality broadband internet access for all, the sophistication of service delivery and ultimate citizen economic participation becomes seamlessly inclusive in advancing economic growth.
Erasmus Nekundi is Corporate Communications Practitioner at Mobile Telecommunications Ltd.