Telecom Namibia has partnered with OMDis to roll out new fibre routes in the town of Oranjemund at a cost of N$12 million.
OMDis is Oranjemund town’s Special Purpose Vehicle whose sole purpose is to proactively accelerate the town’s economic diversification.
The eight-month project, which aims to transform Oranjemund into a smart city by connecting more than two thousand residents and businesses to the fibre-optic network, is one of the strategic ventures under Telecom Namibia’s operational plan, announced under its N$2.3 billion capex programme to roll out digital infrastructure.
The project will also add 67.6km of fibre to its existing national fibre backbone, improving the coverage of its existing 10,676km (65.2% of the national coverage) national fibre backbone.
“This investment will aid automation in various industries and boost innovative product and service offerings. The company aims to connect more homes and businesses, with packages that start at 8Mbps up to 120Mbps. Given the emphasis on using digital innovation to build a safer, and more sustainable future for the betterment of the Namibian people, we are seeing greater focus on actualising smart communities,” the company said.
Telecom Namibia’s Board Vice Chairperson Amanda Hauuanga said turning Oranjemund into a smart city requires ultra-reliable connectivity, which makes Telecom Namibia the perfect digital transformation partner.
“A smart city requires connectivity between the citizens, service providers and government. Telecom Namibia understands the pivotal role connectivity plays in a smart city ecosystem and hence we believe we are the most suitable partner to help transform OMDis into just that, a smart city with all things digital,” Hauuanga said.
“OMDis will be able to leverage on what Telecom Namibia has to offer by providing data transparency and fibre technologies to connect and improve infrastructure, efficiency, convenience, and quality of life for residents of Oranjemund and visitors alike.”
OMDis General Manager Tony Bessinger said Oranjemund will be the first town in the south to be completely covered by high-speed fibre.
“It is a deal structured such that the cost benefit of OMDis’ investment is passed on to the end-user. High speed internet at the cheapest price in Namibia.”
Bessinger further said placing the entire town of Oranjemund under affordable internet fibre connectivity will create possibilities not only for residents to advance their livelihoods, but also for investors in other industries to create businesses locally.
“Oranjemund will become a more desirable destination for a growing digital population seeking new and exciting places to work from. It will transform how inhabitants are educated, how they live, how they create value for themselves and community, and thus the signing agreement ceremony is laying the foundation for a smart city,” he said.
Telecom Namibia Chief Executive Officer Stanley Shanapinda said the partnership between OMDis and his company will positively impact various sectors such as tourism, industrial development, healthcare, agriculture, SME development, education and property development.
“This partnership will advance a top of the range telecommunication network infrastructure to position the Oranjemund town as a smart city in the near future and will assist Oranjemund to cement its position as a centre for healthcare, agriculture, education, while opening opportunities for digital transformation, accessing enhanced digital and value-added services, like no other town in Namibia,” he said.
