Namibia has 95% mobile phone network coverage

Namibia's mobile phone network coverage has increased to 95%, while mobile subscriptions are at 119.16 per 100 people, Prime Minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila said at the 4th National ICT Summit.

Active mobile broadband subscribers increased from 1.5 million to 1.6 million people from June 2016 to June 2017, she said.

"Penetration of telecommunication services has improved rapidly due to the introduction of effective regulatory interventions aimed to ensure fair competition and consumer protection."

The interventions resulted in the reduction of termination rates from N$1.06 to 10 cents, she said.

"ICTs have brought new opportunities to people of all ages and in all countries, enabling them to achieve more in less time and to discover new ways of communicating and relaxing," Kuugongelwa-Amadhila said.

The benefits of ICT, however, had not been spread equally as hoped, she said.

She pointed out that the failure to spread ICT benefits is a result of the unavailability of electricity in rural areas and the insufficient telecommunications backhaul infrastructure.

The prime minister added that the high cost of rolling out infrastructure as well as the low ICT literacy rate was inhibiting the uptake of e-commerce and internet access.

"We are convinced that if all stakeholders work together, we can create new opportunities and leverage the power of ICTs to help people everywhere in our country," Kuugongelwa-Amadhila said. – Nampa/Xinhua