(3 minutes read)
Namibia’s Communication Regulatory Authority (CRAN) auctions 5G and 4G spectrum. This is to enhance internet access, affordability, and speed for the majority of the country’s population. At present only seven of Namibia’s provinces are covered by the 4G networks, while the Kunene, Kavango West, and Omaheke regions had less than 50 percent of 4G population coverage.
Namibia’s Communication Regulatory Authority (CRAN) auctions 5G and 4G spectrum. This is to enhance internet access, affordability, and speed for the majority of the country’s population. At present only seven of Namibia’s provinces are covered by the 4G networks, while the Kunene, Kavango West, and Omaheke regions had less than 50 percent of 4G population coverage.
The spectrum bands being auctioned by CRAN are 694-790 MHz and 790-862 MHz allocated to International Mobile Telecommunications (IMT) services. The 700 MHz and 800 MHz bands are commonly used by Telecommunications Service Licensees to provide 4G and/or 5G mobile services. The auction aims to achieve a minimum internet speed of 20 Mbps for all connectivity, with reviews in place, to meet national strategic objectives as set out in the National Broadband Policy to bridge the digital divide in Namibia. The auction process seeks to improve quality of telecommunications services and inclusivity for Namibians living in unserved and underserved areas at prescribed broadband speeds and quality of service minimum parameters.
The CRAN auction comes after Cabinet in December 2022 approved the deployment of the fifth generation (5G) technology in Namibia. The Ministry of Environment, Forestry, and Tourism conducted a strategic environmental assessment of the introduction of 5G technology in the country, following a task from the Cabinet in 2020.
Acting CEO of CRAN, Katrina Sikeni, noted that the authority would make spectrum available subject to the imposition of license conditions to address critical issues such as access, affordability, quality, and usage in compliance with future policy reforms. Moreover, Sikeni emphasized that the auction process would follow the provisions of the spectrum licensing regulations and processes. Only Telecommunications Service Licensees can apply to participate in the auction process, as they were consulted on the preferred assignment method.
Also Read:
https://trendsnafrica.com/mtn-uganda-began-transformation-toward-5g-technology/
https://trendsnafrica.com/mtn-nigeria-starts-conducting-trials-for-rollout-of-5g/
https://trendsnafrica.com/expensive-phone-sets-dampens-safaricoms-5g-expansion/
Katrina Sikeni stated that the spectrum will be utilised to foster digital transformation beyond the delivery of broadband, through the implementation of e-education, e-health, e-agriculture, e-government, and other use cases to realise the true benefits of new technologies. This is a step towards the digital transformation of Namibia, and we are optimistic that the successful auction of 4G and 5G spectrum bands will facilitate the bridging of the digital divide,
