Namibia is making significant progress in telecommunications infrastructure investment, according to Paratus Namibia. The company's efforts have resulted in the country scoring higher than the African average in infrastructure-driven metrics, as per the International Telecommunication Union's (ITU) ICT Development Index. This index places Namibia above larger economies like Kenya, Ghana, and Nigeria. Paratus Namibia's investments have contributed to the country's improved ranking.
Paratus Namibia has recently installed 600 kilometers of fiber, bringing its total fiber network to over 5,000 kilometers. This expansion is part of the company's efforts to enhance the country's telecommunications infrastructure. One of Paratus' most significant projects has been the rollout of its mobile network, representing an investment of N$600 million over the past 24 months. This substantial investment demonstrates the company's commitment to improving Namibia's telecommunications landscape.
Managing director of Paratus Namibia, Andrew Hall, highlights the importance of a strong and resilient network. He notes that a robust network requires more than just fiber, including different technologies, alternative routes, and sufficient capacity. This ensures that customers are not dependent on a single point of connection. Hall emphasizes that the 595 kilometers of fiber added in the past year is a good indication of the scale at which Paratus is building.
Paratus' network resilience extends beyond Namibia, with access to both the Equiano and WACS submarine cable systems on Africa's west coast. The company is also the landing partner for Equiano in Namibia. Its own Trans-Kalahari fiber route connects Windhoek to Johannesburg, providing another route out of the country and onward access to east coast submarine cable systems, including SEACOM. This strategic setup enhances the company's ability to provide reliable connectivity.
Within Namibia, Paratus has built redundancy into its network wherever possible. The company uses two backhaul providers to connect its points of presence, predominantly using its own infrastructure as the primary route and an independent provider as the secondary route. This level of network diversity is increasingly important as businesses, households, and services become more dependent on reliable connectivity.
Hall stresses that businesses and households cannot afford to lose access to the systems and applications they depend on. The company's job is to ensure the infrastructure behind any connection is strong enough, diverse enough, and has the capacity to keep pace with demand. Paratus' investments aim to address these needs and provide a robust telecommunications infrastructure for Namibia.
The next phase of Paratus Namibia's infrastructure program includes further expansion of the national mobile network, a significant capacity upgrade to its point-to-multipoint fixed wireless network, and continued fiber expansion. The company plans to invest millions of Namibian Dollars over the next few years to continue expanding its footprint, increasing capacity, and building greater resilience across the network. This will help Namibia maintain its position above the African average in ICT metrics.
Key points
- Paratus Namibia has invested N$600 million in its mobile network rollout over the past 24 months.
- Namibia scores higher than the African average in infrastructure-driven ICT metrics, according to the ITU's ICT Development Index.
- Paratus Namibia plans to invest millions of Namibian Dollars to expand its network and build greater resilience.
