Total telecommunications investment in Namibia more than doubled to N$411 million during the first quarter of 2026, driven largely by network upgrades and universal service rollout initiatives, according to the latest Quarterly Statistics Bulletin released by the Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (CRAN).
The Q1 2026 figure represents a significant increase from the previous quarter, with MTC accounting for 73% of total investment. Paratus Telecom contributed 14%, while Telecom Namibia accounted for 12%.
“In Q1 2026, telecommunication investment amounted to N$411 million, more than doubling compared to the previous quarter, largely driven by network upgrades and universal service rollout initiatives. This increase was primarily attributed to MTC, which accounted for 73% of total investment, followed by Paratus Telecom at 14% and Telecom Namibia at 12%,” the report said.
The report further noted that total active SIM card subscriptions declined slightly during Q1 2026, decreasing from 2.788 million in Q4 2025 to 2.746 million. The decline was primarily driven by a 2% decrease in prepaid subscriptions, while postpaid subscriptions increased by 1%.
Mobile broadband usage remained stable, with 64% of active SIM cards accessing internet services during the quarter, reflecting continued demand for mobile broadband connectivity.
Total outgoing mobile call minutes also remained relatively stable compared to the previous quarter. TN Mobile recorded a 6% increase in outgoing minutes to 114 million, while MTC experienced a slight decline of 1% to 2.7 billion minutes.
“Total outgoing mobile minutes remained relatively stable in Q1 2026 compared to the previous quarter. TN Mobile recorded a 6% increase in outgoing minutes, while MTC experienced a slight decline of 1%, with 97% of calls being terminated on-net, a trend that has remained consistent over time,” the report said.
SMS traffic increased significantly by 14% to 30 million messages, reversing the stability observed in recent quarters. The growth was partly driven by Paratus Telecom’s entry into mobile services, which recorded a substantial 95% increase in SMS traffic. MTC also registered a 14% increase, while TN Mobile experienced a 7% decline in SMS volumes.
Cyber threat incidents and identified vulnerabilities declined during the first quarter of 2026. Cyber threat events decreased by 47%, while reported and detected vulnerabilities fell by 31%.
“Cyber threat incidents and identified vulnerabilities declined significantly during the first quarter of 2026,” the report said.
The report further indicated that pay-TV subscriptions increased by 2% during Q1 2026, mainly driven by growth in satellite subscriptions. Total subscriptions reached 140,917.
Broadcasting revenue continued its downward trend, decreasing by 7% to N$211 million. Advertising contributed 11% of total revenue, down from 13% in the previous quarter, while advertising revenue declined by 18%.
The number of postal establishments also increased during Q1 2026, with nine new post offices established, all located in rural areas. As a result, 84% of postal establishments are now situated in rural communities.
“As a result, 84% of postal establishments are now situated in rural areas. This reflects ongoing efforts by NamPost to expand and strengthen universal postal service coverage,” the report said.
