Telecom Namibia has signed a pilot commercial agreement with Angola’s National Space Programme Management Office (GGPEN) to test the commercial viability of Angosat-2 satellite services, a move aimed at expanding connectivity to remote and underserved areas across Namibia.
The agreement was signed in Luanda and marks the transition from a proof-of-concept phase to a real-network trial of the Angosat-2 satellite platform under operational conditions.
The signing ceremony was attended by Namibia’s Minister of Information and Communication Technology, Emma Theofelus, Angola’s Minister of Telecommunications, Information Technologies and Social Communication, Mário Augusto da Silva Oliveira, as well as senior executives from Telecom Namibia and GGPEN.
Under the pilot phase, Telecom Namibia will assess the satellite platform’s technical performance, service capabilities and commercial viability before deciding on a full-scale commercial rollout.
Telecom Namibia Chairperson Fimanekeni Petrus said the initiative forms part of efforts to improve connectivity across the region, particularly in areas where traditional telecommunications infrastructure remains limited.
“Through this Pilot Commercial Agreement, we are not only testing technology, we are actively shaping the future of connectivity in our region,” Petrus said.
He said the project is intended to improve access to digital services for remote communities and support connectivity requirements across sectors including tourism, mining, agriculture, education and business.
Satellite-based connectivity is increasingly being viewed as a complementary solution to fibre and wireless networks, particularly in sparsely populated regions where terrestrial infrastructure deployment is costly or difficult.
The Angosat-2 platform is supported by infrastructure located in Angola and integrated with terrestrial fibre and submarine cable networks, providing an alternative route for telecommunications services and improving network resilience.
The pilot project is expected to support broader efforts to strengthen regional digital infrastructure and improve cross-border connectivity within the Southern African Development Community (SADC).
Telecom Namibia said the trial will allow the company to evaluate the long-term sustainability of satellite-enabled services before moving towards commercial implementation.
