Telecom Namibia has announced plans to initiate commercial 5G trials in 2026, aiming to align with competitors such as Mobile Telecommunications Company (MTC), which began its 5G testing earlier this year in collaboration with Huawei.
This update was provided by Dr. Stanley Shanapinda, CEO of Telecom Namibia, during a session organized by the Ministry of Information and Communications Technology in Windhoek, focused on the implementation of the company’s Mobile and Data Turnaround Strategy.
In his address, Shanapinda confirmed that the company is on track to deploy 500 new base stations across Namibia to enhance network coverage, with at least 77 of these expected to be operational by the end of the year. This expansion is critical, as Telecom Namibia currently operates 376 base stations; a number that Shanapinda acknowledged is insufficient to provide adequate service across the country.
“We have heard the cries from our customers and Namibians at large and we believe they deserve quality network services from Telecom Namibia.” Shanapinda said.
The CEO emphasized that the current limited number of base stations has negatively impacted the quality of service, leading to customer dissatisfaction. Shanapinda assured that the company has heard these concerns and is committed to improving service quality. As part of the network upgrade, Telecom Namibia has secured competitive pricing from its primary equipment suppliers, Huawei and ZTE.
In addition to the 5G rollout, Telecom Namibia plans to connect over 100,000 households to fiber, addressing the current lack of access in many parts of the country. Shanapinda highlighted the importance of this initiative in preparing Namibia for the fourth industrial revolution and supporting the growth of the digital economy.
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The company’s strategy reflects its commitment to enhancing telecommunications infrastructure in Namibia, ensuring that both urban and rural areas are equipped with high-quality network services, and paving the way for future technological advancements.
