The Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (CRAN) has awarded 5G licenses to Loc8 Mobile, Telecom Namibia Limited, and Mobile Telecommunications Limited.
This follows the regulator’s auction of spectrum below 1 GHz, which generated approximately N$28.5 million.
Emilia Nghikembua, Chief Executive Officer of CRAN, said the award of these spectrum licenses to roll out 4G and 5G services is aimed at supporting the rollout of emerging mobile technologies while supporting both universal access in rural areas and providing for the inclusivity of all Namibians to foster participation in the digital economy going forward.
“To improve universal access, CRAN imposed license conditions on successful bidders to increase 4G population coverage in the Kunene, Zambezi, Otjozondjupa, Omaheke, Hardap, and Kavango West Regions,” she said.
She further explained that the regions were identified as their 4G population coverage is below 80%, and the conditions imposed in the licenses will require bidders to improve coverage to 80% and above.
“This award is an important milestone in CRAN’s vision to improve access to telecommunications services in Namibia and is a right step towards the attainment of the fourth industrial revolution,” she said.
Nghikembua further stated that the regulator approved the testing/trial for 5G services/networks for a period of three months until December 31.
“This authorization is aligned to the 5G Strategy and the Broadband Policy and reaffirms our commitment to promote technological innovation and the deployment of advanced facilities to respond to the diverse needs of industry and support the social and economic growth in Namibia,” stated Nghikembua.
The licensees will make use of the assigned frequencies 703-788 MHz and 790-862 MHz to provide international mobile services (IMT), maintaining a downlink data speed of not less than 20 Mbps and in compliance with the Quality-of-Service Regulations.
The spectrum license is valid for 10 years and is subject to renewal for a similar period or even canceled or transferred in relation to the regulations.
MTC has already expressed its readiness to deploy 5G services.
When implemented, the development means that Namibia could soon become one of the countries in the region to have a 5G network, after Zambia recently became the latest African market to get 5G services. Safaricom launched 5G services in Kenya, Vodacom in Tanzania, Telkom in South Africa, MTN in Nigeria, and Orange in Botswana.
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