UCOM and BDQ Mobile Network Solutions have entered a 10-year partnership to revitalise Namibia’s third mobile phone operator.
Under the agreement, BDQ Mobile Network Solutions, in partnership with American-based VANU Technology, will focus on deploying advanced telecommunications equipment and technological solutions.
The companies are committed to investing in network infrastructure (antennas and radios) where a total of 500 towers will be deployed in the next three years.
“With the first phase roll out starting during the first quarter of 2025, as well as management technology through the billing system (OSS, BSS), a mechanism facilitating billing flow collection with end-to-end solutions,” said the companies.
UCOM Managing Director, Elia Erastus, said the partnership with BDQ Mobile Network Solutions will significantly advance Namibia’s digital transformation
“It will increase the number of telecommunications users, reducing the communication and internet gap in rural areas, which currently stands at 60%,” said the MD.
According to Erastus, the agreement is undoubtedly valuable and “comes at the right time when Namibia faces great challenges in the telecommunications context.”
With this partnership, Erastus said that in the context of Industry 4.0, internet access, and the level of use of information technologies can increase exponentially.
BDQ Mobile Network Solutions Managing Director, Belmiro Quive, said the partnership is a small step for the company with a long-term vision for digital transformation across Namibia and other African countries, focusing on telecommunications, e-commerce, and e-governance.
“We want to approach connectivity in Southern African region countries with emphasis on rural areas where communications and internet access are still a great challenge,” said Quive.