The Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (CRAN) has discontinued Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX) technology, citing its obsolescence and the emergence of more advanced solutions such as 4G LTE and the upcoming 5G networks.
“WiMAX, once heralded as a revolutionary broadband solution, has become increasingly unviable due to several critical factors. Firstly, it is no longer considered a true broadband service as it struggles to meet the speed and reliability expectations of today’s users, particularly in an era dominated by high-definition streaming, online gaming, and cloud computing,” CRAN said.
“These newer technologies offer significantly superior performance and capacity. This obsolescence is compounded by the growing challenge of sourcing parts and components necessary for maintaining and upgrading existing WiMAX infrastructure, as manufacturers shift their focus to newer technologies.”
As part of this move, CRAN has officially revoked WiMAX spectrum licences allocated to Telecom Namibia Limited, affecting frequencies within the 3405 to 3227 MHz and 3505 to 3547 MHz ranges.
To ensure minimal service disruption, the regulator has implemented a structured migration plan requiring Telecom Namibia to transition its WiMAX customers to alternative technologies within a specified timeframe.
“The operator has been granted six months from October 2024 to complete the migration of services in urban areas of the Khomas, Erongo, Kavango West, and Oshana regions. The operator is allowed nine months to migrate urban areas in all other regions. A more extended timeline of 24 months has been allocated for the migration of all rural areas within Namibia’s borders,” CRAN said.
CRAN emphasised that there will be no abrupt service discontinuation, ensuring that affected customers are transitioned smoothly.
“The exercise means switching off the WiMAX services and migrating customers to another technology that ensures service continuity. There can be no hard switch-offs; customers must be migrated to an alternative technology and should not be left without a service.”
CRAN’s Chief Executive Officer, Emilia Nghikembua, reaffirmed the authority’s commitment to overseeing a seamless transition that safeguards consumer interests.
“The cancellation of these spectrum licences represents a significant step in our regulatory oversight of the telecommunications sector. We are committed to ensuring that all service providers operate within the legal framework and that customers are supported throughout this transition. Our focus is on maintaining high standards for service delivery and protecting the interests of consumers,” Nghikembua said.
